He and his daughters thank Smith for present of the "two fruit-pieces"; Smith can retain the 'Canna' drawings for the present; sending Smith tracings of [Charles] Plumier's [(1646-1704) botanist] drawings and volume of poems collected by Mrs Riddel, for Lady [Pleasance] Smith.

Shocked by reports of the burning of Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke], until realising impossibility of finding a mob to injure the man "who is the pride of Norfolk", though sorry to hear of the "ignorance & brutality" at Norwich. Expects to see Smith and Coke at Lord [Thomas, 1st Viscount] Anson's [(1769-1818)] this year.

Discusses plans for proposed visit by Smith, [Thomas William] Coke, and Dr Parr to Allerton in September. Intends to write further on 'Scitamineae' plants; asks Smith to provide details of plant they examined in [Edward] Rudge's "Plants of Guiana" and [Etienne Ventenat's] "Jardin de Malmaison" and provides rough ink sketch and comments on appearance. Will not comment on the "astonishing events we have lived to see in the political world". Has not seen Smith's mother in Liverpool yet.

Less busy than he was when Smith was recently staying and going to London tomorrow to switch from bankers Sir J Erdaile and Co. to Jones Loyd and Co. He has been entertaining the Archdukes John [Johann (1782-1859)] and Lewis [Louis (1784-1864)] of Austria for last three days; comments on John's character; they are also going to Scotland and Holkham to see [Thomas William] Coke, showed them his unfinished portrait of Coke. Apologises for any anxiety he may have caused Smith recently. Asks Smith to send the 'Canna' drawings to London.

Postscript in left hand margin of verso of first folio: Mr Martin [Smith's brother-in-law] has separated from his partners.