Discusses Smith's campaign for Cambridge botany professorship: unfortunate that Smith has to win over the powerful vice-chancellor, Professor [Isaac] Pennington [(1745-1817), physician and chemist], and Professor [Busick] Harwood [(1750-1814), anatomist], for Dr [Richard] Walker's [(1679-1764)] lectureship. Begs Smith to become a member of the university first to remove obstacles other candidates will take advantage of. In comparison to the expense of the knighthood it would be a minor cost, and as the Linnean Society already has a Duke, Earls, Viscounts, Bishops, and Lords, it is no great favour for the President to have an honorary distinction.

Looking forward to seeing Smith in London. The Linnean Society is flourishing "more & more every year"; [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert last filled chair "with great good humour & cheerfulness", [William George] Maton absent on account of death of his mother. Sir Joseph Banks passed winter surprisingly well, it gives "one less pain to see him wheeled about, than to see him walk in such a crippled gait". Recently wrote to [William] Webb of Clare Hall; it would be worthwhile if Smith went to Cambridge on his way to London to meet with his supporters there. Transcribes lines of a satirical poem written when the "late Bishop of Norwich" [Charles Manners-Sutton (1755-1828)] succeeded [John Moore (1730-1805)] as Archbishop of Canterbury, "in a more amiable style [sic] than the couplet on poor Lady Brownlow".

Thanks for copy of Smith's "Introduction to Botany". Reports from his excursion into Yorkshire: wishes Smith had been with him at the "dropping well" at Knaresborough, there were jungermanniae, lichens, and mosses; found 'Inula helerium' and 'Sedum telefitium' in a hedge bank, 'Atropa belladonna' in churchyard near Ferrybridge, Yorkshire, and in hedges near the town, and 'Colchium autumnale' in meadows about Knaresborough. Recounts anecdote in Dr [Thomas] Zouch's [(1737-1815)], prebendary of Durham and FLS, unpublished "Memoir of the life of Dr John Sudbury", dean of Durham in 1661, about the detainment of the cathedral library's copy of [John] Gerard's "Herbal" by Colonel Robert Lilburn; thinks it curious in showing the estimation in which the book was held. Invites the Smiths to visit for the Bury Fair.

Postscript by Lady Cullum repeating Cullum's invitation.

Unable to visit in October as he is already due to visit Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] with "our Bishop" [presumably Bishop of Norwich, Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)]. Agrees Cullum's anecdote relating to Gerard's "Herbal" is curious. Recommends Dr [Thomas] Zouch's [(1737-1815)] life of Sir Philip Sydney. 'Inula helenium' a very rare plant, does not remember seeing it growing wild but someone once brought a specimen from Suffolk. Has heard good account of Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] but nothing of [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Going to Cambridge early November.

Invites Smith and his wife to stay next week whilst [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Mrs Lochee are also visiting.

Unable to visit as they are expecting [William] Roscoe, who is to visit Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] with them, and Smith must be in Norwich on 29 November as steward of the first ball. Intends to write to Dr [George] Thackery, new vice-chancellor of Cambridge, regarding garden and lectureship, which if he gains he will enter the university and if not remain as he is, as advised the Bishop of Bristol [William Mansel]. The Dean [of Norwich, Joseph Turner (1747-1828)] says that the university cannot avoid offering the professorship to Smith and if they do he should be offered an MA without entering. Invites the Cullums, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Mrs Lochee to them instead. Dr Davy dying of a cancerous disorder in the mouth at Dr Tuthill's, Soho Square, a great loss.

In postscript addressed to Lambert invites him and Mrs Lochee to Norwich whilst Roscoe is staying; they cannot alter their day of going to Holkham as they are engaged to meet the Duke of Gloucester [Prince William (1776-1834), chancellor of Cambridge University], with whom Roscoe is well acquainted.

Violent headache compelled [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert to cancel his visit to Bury at the last moment. Approves of the advice given to Smith regarding Cambridge botany professorship and garden. Grieved by Smith's account of Dr [Martin] Davy's mortal illness and recalls others who have died or are dying from cancers of the mouth.

Reports on letters received from Mrs [Catherine] Lambert concerning [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's ill health, including violent headaches and insomnia. Cornwallis Hewett to succeed as Downing Professor of Medicine following death of Professor [Busick] Harwood [(1750-1814), anatomist], although uncertain who will succeed to astronomical professorship, believes Hewett's father exhibited his collection of gold, topazes and amethysts to Smith at Cullum's lodgings in King Street, Covent Garden, [London]. Invites [William] Roscoe to call on him should he return from his Norfolk tour via Bury.

[William] Roscoe visited him in Norwich and they visited Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] and Narford, [Norfolk, home of Andrew Fountaine], together; Roscoe could not visit Cullum via his journey home as he was anxious to return to his ill wife. Dawson Turner was also at Holkham, together they made a catalogue of Coke's collection of two hundred manuscripts. Around two hundred pieces each of pictures, old prints, Raphael's earthenware, and old French enamel, at Narford [Hall].

Vice-chancellor of Cambridge, [George] Thackery, refusing to assist him in gaining the garden and lectureship. Concerned for health of the "old professor" [Thomas Martyn]. The Dean [of Norwich, Joseph Turner (1747-1828)] has gone to Cambridge to argue Smith's case, and has also given [William Fitt] Drake another living of £150 a year. Sir Joseph Banks "tolerably well". [John] Fairbairn died recently, hopes William Anderson [(1766-1846)] from Mr [James] Vere's will succeed him [as curator of Chelsea Physic Garden]. Reported that [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert occupied in botanical matters.

Mrs [Catherine] Lambert reports that [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert continues to have restless nights. Interested to see Smith's catalogue of Holkham manuscripts [home of Thomas William Coke], hopes Lady Cullum will be able to see the Raphael Delph at Narford [Hall, Norfolk, home of Andrew Fountaine].

Attended Royal Society anniversary and dinner with Sir Joseph Banks, Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough], Mr Lysons , Mr Marsden, [Edward] Rudge, and Mr Raper. Attended Linnean Society meeting; Lambert was in the chair and [William George] Maton also attended but [Alexander] Macleay still recovering from his "violent peripneumony". Concerned by [Thomas] Marsham's removal from Baker Street to Winchmore Hill. Convinced [William] Webb in Cambridge to put himself forward for Linnean Society; [Arthur] Biggs' [(1765-1848), curator of the [Cambridge] Physic Garden, nomination certificate for Associate put up. Asks if Smith has seen [William Elford] Leach's "[Zoological] miscellany"; does not approve of the "frequent new generic names".