No summary available.

Has just seen the prospectus for [Robert] Thornton's "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus" but it is too expensive for him to subscribe to, will inform Smith if he finds anyone willing to do so. A long time since he heard from Smith; eager to hear if he has published anything in meantime.

Thanks for Smith's letter and "friendly documents & information", unfortunately they came too late for him to alter names [in his "Menthae Britannicae"], as the plates are all finished and letterpress almost finished; the work has been slightly delayed by his ill health. Explains his garden catalogue system. Hopes there are not too many "blunders" in his work, and if he finds any contradictions with Smith's letter will add his observations as a postscript.

Relinquished his intention to publish "an elementary treatise on botany" and is now working on a "Synopsis of British plants" modelled on the ["Enchiridion botanicum" (1782)] of [Arthur] Broughton [(c 1758-1796), botanist]. Requests Smith's advice: omitting the cryptogamic plants owing to the "inadequacy of the characters" to represent them; wishes to retain the ferns, had hoped to base them on Smith's still anticipated treatise ['On the Genus of Dorsiferous Ferns', published in "Tracts relating to natural history" (1798)], asks whether to present them according to the Linnaean arrangement or to leave them for an appendix with the other cryptogamic plants. Outlines the changes he has made to presentation of characters and synoptic tables.

Asks after announcement of publication of a new "Flora Britannica" and discovery of new British plants recently announced in "Gentlemen's Magazine".

[Smith has briefly annotated his reply]: his volume will appear this year ["Tracts relating to natural history"], thinks it unfortunate that Symons has disturbed natural arrangement of genera in "Species Plantarum" and recommends he studies the cryptogams and compile from his predecessors.

Disappointed to see 18 people at the Linnean Society at recent evening meeting, "a very large number for a private night", account of the balloting: Smith's friend [Robert John] Thornton [(c 1768-1837)] rejected with three blackballs, and two blackballs each against [James Webbe] Tobin [(d 1814)] and Revd [Henry Peter] Stacey, which is a new system they are starting; [Samuel] Goodenough's motion received 14 votes to 3 against, and [William] Pilkington's [(1758-1848)] amendment received 3 votes to 14. Lists those in attendance. Society business. Has since been informed that more people would have attended and blackballed Thornton had they known he was proposed.

Goodenough found 'Salix rubra' but [William] Curtis lost both cuttings and specimens.

No summary available.

Sends copy of his account of the late "Embassy to China", with a folio volume of plates relating to it. The Linnean Society and all Smith's London acquaintance regret his absence, "tho' it is natural for you to prefer living in the Bosom of your Relations, in Norwich, [Norfolk]".