Disappointed to not go to Norwich but was too busy during his visit to Cambridge to get away. Met [Edward Daniel] Clarke who travelled with [John Marten] Cripps [(1780-1853), traveller and antiquary] to the Crimea, met [Peter Simon] Pallas and purchased his herbarium and brought back a vast natural history collection, describes it in some detail including bust of Ceres. Has heard that the drawing of Mars and Venus omitted in the prints of the "Elogium Stultitiae" is now engraved in Veaux's French translation of "Elogium" printed at Basel in 1780 [French translation of Erasmus' "The Praise of Folly"]. The [Dublin] Botanic Garden now has 6000 plants.

Received Smith's letter but regrets there is still a misunderstanding regarding appointment of [James] Sowerby as publisher [of "Flora Graeca"]; [Thomas] Platt [(d 1842), one of John Sibthorp's executors, supervised the publication of "Flora Graeca"] still disapproves of this on grounds that a booksellers shop is the most direct channel of communication between editor and public. Platt will engage with White to sell it; apologises to Sowerby and blames vice-chancellor [of Oxford University] for not bestowing management of the fund to them.

The grass Smith sent is in his herbarium as 'Festuca glauca', Curtis also had it under same name, but cannot find any description of it; it is like 'F. pumila'.

Just received "Flora Britannica" and "a valuable collection of specimens" from Smith, which are useful to him when preparing to set out on botanical excursions, one of which he hopes to make in 4 week's time.

Observations on enclosed 'Hypnum crista-castrensis', which he has known since 1787. Has found 'Hemerocallis flava' but it seldom flowers. Intends to send several possible new mosses along with collection of lichens and jungermannia. Will send the first number of his fasciculus ["Herbarium Britannicum" (1804-1812)] for Smith to [James] Sowerby, details of the printing. [James] Donn [(1758-1813), curator of Cambridge Botanic Garden] of Cambridge is an old acquaintance of his but of no relation, first met at Kew in 1785. Lists plants to appear in next fascicule, for Smith's opinion. Also sends Smith specimen of 'Dicranum flavescens'. List of his desiderata, largely cryptogams, some have marks against them.

Two specimens. Small piece of note paper, annotated "for G Don 'Dicranum subulatum' Hedw.".

Encloses his moss desiderata [not extant]. Encloses specimens, including: 'Myostis', 'Fontinalis capillacea' called Moss of Copens, mosses, and 'Hypnum triforium'; observations [Smith has annotated in margin].

Rejoices with Smith at "the happy event which has just taken place". Thanks Smith and his wife for the "kind & continued attention" they have shown James, his son, [studying under Samuel Taylor, farmer, in Norfolk]. Looking forward to seeing Smith in Liverpool and eulogises their friendship. Sends regards to Mrs [Susannah] Taylor and [William Fitt] Drake.

Thanks for invitation to Norwich. Thanks for name of bookseller stocking the book [Etienne Pierre] Ventenat wishes to acquire.