Approves of Pleasance's arrangements as to the cook, Betty Laws; a joke about her size confounding Bonaparte's invasion plans. Account of his journey from London to Liverpool, via Northampton, Lichfield, Stafford, and Chester. On arrival in Liverpool received by his old friend Thomas Taylor, where he is staying, with Taylor's nephew, Meadows. Refreshing air of Liverpool. Delighted with [William] Roscoe; opinion of his person and character. Promised 100 subscribers to his lectures, paying 2 guineas each; after journey expects to clear £180. Has spent £70 on books of [Edmund] Davall; his library sold "very cheap"; lists books purchased. Leaves it to Pleasance to decide on being godmother to "little Wilkinson", though he dislikes "such ties". [John] Koster, a friend of Correa's, thinks the war ill-judged, and that Correa was made insane by his persecutors in Lisbon. His lectures.

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Has sent [James] Sowerby specimens of 'Ajuga pyramidalis' just received from Mr Gibb, gardener of Lord Seaforth. Certain that Smith will be happy in [William] Roscoe's company. Expecting his daughter-in-law and her family from India.

Shall try and come to Liverpool for a good proportion of the lectures. Tentatively invites Smith to Dublin for his own proposed course of lectures. Inclined to believe that Smith's library is "more choice and perfect" than Sir Joseph [Banks'] more extensive library. Not surprised that Smith's reputation attracted Madame Buonaparte's [Joséphine de Beauharnais (1763-1814) 1st wife of Napoleon Bonaparte] attention; would like to see the presents she sent him. Believes the war to be unjustifiable and that "England occasions inconvenience and embarrassment to every state in Europe".

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Account of his Liverpool "adventures". Visited the Octagon Chapel, named after their own in Norwich; dined with [William] Roscoe at Allerton [Roscoe's home, near Liverpool], description of house, grounds, and family; visit to Dr Brandreth; visit to Mr Blundell and his Italian collections; dined with Dr Currie.

His lectures: has given two so far, attended by "all the beauty & fashion of the place, as well as by the learned"; William, [Smith's brother], surprised by his oratory, as he never aims at more than "plainness"; finances. Visiting [John] Koster, who was Consul at Lisbon, and was a great friend to Correa and Broussonet in their distresses; convinced the current war is "nearly certain ruin". His mother and Sarah happy at Blackheath.

[Smith's letter to Sowerby]: William Roscoe "as amiable & pleasant as he is accomplished & sensible". His lectures "brilliantly attended", nearly 120 people. His plans for returning to Norwich, [Norfolk]. Sends drawing of 'Hypericum androsaemum' intended for t1225, the first of vol 18 [of "English botany"]; discussion of subjects of next plates.

[Drake's letter to Sowerby]: Has promise of some good specimens of of Canal or Wigan coal but as yet unable to find anywhere selling snuffboxes or other made from this coal. Mineralogy "little pursued" here, doubts finding any collection of ores.

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Invitation to visit Lord Derby [Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby (1752-1834)] at Knowsley [Hall, near Liverpool] on Friday; preparations so they can leave directly after Smith's lecture. Does not dare ask if [William Fitt] Drake can be of the party, on account of Lady Derby's distress following death of her mother.

They can visit Lord Derby [Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby (1752-1834)] at Knowsley [Hall, near Liverpool, Lancashire] on Saturday, instead of Friday, and [William Fitt] Drake now of the party.

Received Smith's letter of 19 [July]. Pleased Smith's Liverpool lectures are so successful and hopes he will repeat annually. Thinks Liverpool is "one of the most liberal commercial towns", and that William Roscoe's "taste & knowledge in Italian literature" has made it "fashionable". Pleased Roscoe has finished his "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo [X]"; supposes Roscoe used Lord Cork's "envious papers" of the period, he had nothing for Roscoe himself but Mr Shepherd found some "curious letters" of Poggio [Bracciolini (1380-1459), Italian scholar].

Mariamne [Johnes, his daughter] fonder of her gardens than ever and is in good health, and recently danced all evening. In "a most melancholy spectacle", Todd [his gardener], has become an "idiot" [after sustaining a head injury falling from his horse, see RelatedMaterial below] but is wasting away in spite of his appetite, so they hope he shall be quietly die. His farmyard narrowly escaped burning down, and only lost about £150 and no man, beast, or hay were damaged.

Yesterday had the "very considerable gain" of a lay estate in Cardigan, after settlement of a long running Chancery suit, and on selling his other estates shall be "too rich". Hopes his first volume [translation of Jean Froissart (c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] will be printed by Christmas; there is to be folio edition of 20 and quatro of 300. Rained for the first time this month, does not remember a longer drought.