Thanks JH for letter. Regrets having missed possibility of seeing JH while in England. Asks JH to convince [Charles] Babbage to pass through Brussels instead of Rotterdam.

Thanks for, praises, and comments on WH's 'Systems of Rays' paper. Says WH will have a distinguished career. Mentions other works and hopes to forward them with others he receives to WH.

Sorry that he could not meet JH when JH was in Dublin; hopes to be introduced to JH soon. Answers JH's queries about WH's work; explains that he is studying 'the general properties of systems of rays, and of the surfaces with which they are connected.'

Requesting a copy of JH's paper on 'Object planes.' Encloses with this letter his own paper on 'Eyepieces.' Requesting that Greenwich Observations be sent to the University Library, Cambridge.

His father is ill. Wishes to thank everyone for their kindness to his father on his recent visit to London.

Comments on GA's work on the solar tables, GA's pending paper on eyepieces, and on the quality of observations made at Greenwich and Paris; GA is intending to repeat the experiment of swinging a pendulum in a mine, and JH believes the Board of Longitude can provide the equipment.

Encloses parcel for JH's mother. Mr. Beckwith suffered paralytic attack. SW did not report this to Lady Mary Herschel, but JH may if he deems it wise.

Has been able to destroy a large portion of the color of brown sugar by the use of chlorine. If these hints are of use to TH's friend, TH may convey them.

Hopes to draw up 'a comparative view of the chemical and mineralogical classification of fossils....' Asks JH's view of J. J. Berzelius's system of chemical notation.

Is having some of JH's friends to dinner and would be pleased if he would join them. Affairs of the Geological Society. Has notice from Capt. P. P. King with specimens from the Straits of Magellan.

Expressing the thanks of the Académie for Observations made with a 20-foot telescope.

Comments on geodesical measurements being made in Ireland.

His infirm health and increasing debility prevent him from joining the Smiths at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]; reflections on approaching death. Endeavouring to finish his literary work with all reasonable speed: revising his catalogue of Holkham manuscripts for last time, including Mr Madden's additions; finishing his "Mondandrian Plants" with the 15th number; and finishing his pamphlet on American penitentiary system with advocation for a system equally desireable in this country if not for its "old institutions & inveterate prejudices".

Thanks for Smith's remarks on his descriptions of Monandrian plants and assents to Smith's opinion regarding 'Renealmia'; will place in it the 'Cardamom' plant, radical flowering 'Alpinia', and other plants which according to their system are not in any other genus. Received from [William] Carey [(1761-1834)] in Serampore four flowers of 'Curcuma' preserved in spirits. Had been anxious about [Nathaniel] Wallich after hearing he had remained behind the embassy among the Burmese, but now hears he is expected in about a month with an "immense cargo" of living and dried plants including 'Curcuma' and 'Crina'; the 'Scitamineae' Wallich promised him will be too late for his purposes now.

Sends parcel of plants from [George] Arnott, just returned from excursion to Scotland. Sends copy of his work on Pyrenaean plants; apologises for delay; printed in a hasty manner. The last year so taken up with his legal studies that he has neglected botany, but time spent with Arnott and [William Jackson] Hooker has revived his interest; wrote to Montpellier, [France], to have his herbarium sent over.

Encloses specimen of 'Cyperus longus', and remarks and sketch of an unidentified grass, to be returned, and sketch of floret and advanced seed vessel of 'Phyteuma spicatum'. Lost most of his 'Ophrys' specimens; encloses one.

His pleasure at receiving so flattering a letter from Smith, "what a charm is thrown by this delightful science over the most dull & painful hours of sickness".

[Separate note] Does not believes colour should be used as a character for 'Ophrys apifera'; remarks on its colour.

Informs Smith of the return of [David Douglas (1799-1834), plant collector and traveller], after two years exploring the Columbia River region on behalf of the Horticultural Society and Hudson's Bay Company. He saw a giant pine 19 feet in diameter and 215 feet high, amongst many other discoveries.

Glad to hear that Smith attended the musical festival at Norwich. Does not think Mr Alexander's hurried advice could have done Smith's eye much benefit. Lady Cullum visited Mrs [Catherine] Lambert in London, she is confined to bed having lost the use of one side of her body and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert is in Wiltshire and attended the annual meeting of "literati" at Sir [Richard] Colt Hoare's. Attended Horticultural Society meeting; there were numerous apples and pears and a "magnificent" number of species and varietites of 'Dahlia', and in Covent Garden market Coe's plum or the golden drop are selling three shillings a dozen. London weather prevented him from going to the Chiswick garden. [John] Latham publishing an index to his "General History of Birds". Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough's] death gave him much cause for concern, and shocked at how few members of the Linnean Society from 1788 and 1789 are still alive.

In footnote Mary Cullum sends her good wishes to the Smiths.