Given [Lieutenant-]General Francis Grose's [(1758-1814) Governor of New South Wales, 1792-1794] collection of New South Wales plants collected by [William] Patterson [(1755-1810)]. Also collection of drawings of birds, fish, animals, and plants. Amused by Smith's letter in "Monthly Magazine" [in April 1808 edition, explaining the dissolution of his friendship with Richard Salisbury]. Dismisses Smith's suggestion that it is Dr [William Fordyce] Mavor [(1758-1837)] who writes in the magazine, everyone believes it is [Charles] Konig, gives his reasons.

Has still not received a letter from Goodenough. Wants Goodenough to read his paper on the new genus 'Hookeria', named after William Jackson Hooker, at the Linnean Society and asks that Goodenough overlook the clash with [Richard] Salisbury's 'Hookera', named after [William] Hooker [(1779-1832)], botanical artist for "Paradisus Londinensis", a "man of no knowledge & of even less character". Has found that Salisbury and William Hooker have been stealing copies of Sir Joseph Banks' drawings and publishing them as drawn from Lady Essex's garden. His wife still helpless with a painful rheumatic illness. Intends to be at the Linnean Society on 19 April.

Insists that he sent a franked letter to Smith after leaving Rochester, it included praise of Smith's "Introduction to Botany" [not extant]. His new duties at the House of Lords more time consuming than he anticipated. Thinks naming plants after unworthy people "lowers the science" [in reference to Richard Salisbury naming 'Hookera' after his botanical artist William Hooker [(1779-1832)]. Sends back Smith's work [for "Flora Graeca"] with queries on Latin usage for several items. Spent the day with [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert who has just received large addition of [New] South Wales plants to his herbarium. Sir Abraham Hume, Admiral and Mrs Essington, General [Francis (c 1758-1814)] and Mrs Grose, [Alexander] Macleay, [Thomas] Marsham, and Lord Seaforth were also there. Wrote to Dawson Turner correcting 'Griffithsii' to 'Griffithsiae'. Persuaded Hume to become a FLS. Shall discuss the new Geological and Entomological societies the next time he sees Smith. Mrs Lynn in decline. Hopes to visit Smith's sister in Liverpool on his way to Carlisle.

Asks Smith to remind [Thomas] Marsham of his promise to send the "most beautiful subjects for the microscope" for Colonel Tindall of Scarborough, [Yorkshire].

Delighted with Smith's book [probably "Introduction to Botany" (1807)]. Not yet in London as he is tending to his neglected plantations and his son is foxhunting. Will bring plants with him for Smith's inspection, including fern from Madeira.

Grateful for Goodenough's comments on "Flora Graeca" manuscript, discusses use of 'Atho', corrected by [John] Hawkins to 'Athone', and other Latin. Laments the loss of Goodenough's critical letter on his "Introduction to Botany", a similar thing occured when the Duke of Portland franked a letter to him on his "[Sketch of a] Tour [on the continent]". Pleased that Sir Abraham Hume is to become a FLS. Dawson Turner grateful for Goodenough's correcting [of the name 'Griffithsii' to 'Griffithsiae'] and it shall be published in "English Botany" as 'Griffithsiae'. His wife has relapsed into her rheumatic illness. Lord Seaforth an "excellent & very acute man". Directs Goodenough to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert for news of [Richard] Salisbury stealing a figure of 'Byblis' from Sir Joseph Banks.

His need to vent with Goodenough like the Suffolk baronet and wife of their acquaintance, who when apart write to each other every day with minimal formalities, and when Sir Thomas Frankland used to write to him with the "most delightful epistolia" of the moment. Recollects the day he spent with Yeates and Broussonet in the woods of Corby Castle, near Carlisle, where he caught and gave to [Thomas] Marsham 'Elater cuprens' and 'Scarabaeus arvicola', wonders why Marsham has only named Yorkshire for the former species and not mentioned him [in "Entomologica Britannia"]. Found 'Elater pectinicornis' on Cromford Moor near Matlock. Noticed that Dr [Samuel] Johnson [(1709-1784), author] explains the "shard-born beetle" of the poets as born or produced among broken stones or pots, Smith thinks it must mean "borne, or flying about, on shards, or shells (testae)".

Argues for his new 'Hookeria' [after William Jackson Hooker] and 'Brodiaea' genera being put forward in spite of [Richard] Salisbury having already published Smith's 'Brodiaea' as 'Hookera' [in "Paradisus Londinensis", after William Hooker (1779-1832), botanical artist]: wrote his papers on 'Hookeria' and 'Brodiaea' before hearing of Salisbury's intention for 'Hookera' and would not normally object except that Salisbury's Hooker is not a botanist and an associate "in an infamous fraud" on Sir Joseph Banks [stealing figures of 'Byblis' and other plants and presenting them as their own]. Urges Goodenough to read his letter in the "Monthly Magazine" [April 1808 edition] which addresses an erroneous statement in the botanical report in [the February 1808] issue of the magazine conjecturing on the nature of the dispute between himself and Salisbury, which is independent of botany.

Discusses etymology and usage of 'Atho' in "Flora Graeca". Reassures Smith he read and sent a letter on Smith's "Introduction to Botany". Advocates revival of exhibits of material at Linnean Society meetings. Thinks Smith correct about Dr [Samuel] Johnson's [(1709-1784), author] "shard-born beetle". Sick of attending the "tiresome, ill-conducted debates" at the House of Lords.

No summary available.

Residing at Bignor Park, former home of Charlotte Smith, "whose little poems on subjects of natural history must have engaged your attention", purchased from her sister [Catherine Ann] Dorset [(d 1816) children's author]. Pleased to hear of imminent publication of "Flora Graeca Prodromus" and satisfied with second part of first volume of "Flora Graeca" which is free from the errors in the first part. In reference to 'Briza elatior' clarifies use of Greek "or" instead of Latin "in" in forming names. Cautions Smith in use of Sommarera as a source for names as the vulgar modern Greek names are so "barbarous" that some are shamed into using names taken from Matthiolus [Pietro Andrea Mattioli (1501-1577)] and others and passing them off as the real names, although they are not strictly neo-grecian. List of Greek plant names [with Hawkins' corrections and comments].

Thanks Smith for naming 'Opegrapha lyelli' after him and accepting numerous specimens, believes the species is distinct despite variations towards 'Opegrapha dendritica' and 'Opegrapha pulverulenta'. Thanks Smith for the notice he took of 'Lichen pollinarius' in "English Botany" which encouraged him in further investigation of mosses and lichens in his vicinity.

No summary available.

Forwards letters to SmithEncloses letters [not extant]. Invited to Royal Academy dinner, suspects the invitation is due to Smith.

No summary available.

Three pages of botanical notes on the different species of 'Canna', including 'C. indica', 'C. coccinca', 'C. pateus', 'C. lutea', 'C. latifolia', 'C. glauca', 'C. flaccida', 'C. angustifolia' Willdenow, 'C. juncea', with details of authorities, varieties, and publications.

Comments on criticism of his paper on 'Scitamineae' made by [Richard] Salisbury and Andrews in "Transactions"; the former spoke well of it except for the figure of 'Curcuma' but the latter was more rude with "much less reason".

Engrossed in politics and expecting to print new pamphlet shortly, but he does not enjoy it. Hopes Smith will establish "Exotic botany" properly; comments on its value as a "periodical vehicle for diffusing sound opinions & Linnaean principles, when they are so frequently disregarded or avowedly attacked", especially as "English botany" is finishing and never had a place for "more general observations"; believes that "heresies" in botany should be opposed by "orthodox doctrines", otherwise "the antipope Jussieu will dethrone our true Pontif Linnaeus"; criticism of Jussieu's system.

Visit by Mr and Mrs Martin [Smith's brother-in-law and sister] with "little Frederick"; pleased to hear Smith may visit Lancashire in near future.

No summary available.

Recent meetings and dinners, including with: Mrs Weddell and Mr and Mrs Marsden at C Scott's; Sir Abraham Hume; the David Martineaus; Mr and Mrs Hanbury, G Kett and his wife, two of the Hoares, some Barclays, and Mr Carlisle at Mr Barclay's; William Smith; R Westall's; Edward Forster; C Weston and Revd J Ives; Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North], best of all his bishop friends, and his "amiable though unhappily deformed daughter". Received Red Sea shells and bottle of true Balsam of Mecca or Balm of Gilead from Lord Valentia [George Annesley]; a party at Valentia's; Valentia's odious enemy Gawler looked on much like [Richard] Salisbury; Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington] says Salisbury has no chance of getting either the Roxburgh estate or title he is trying for.

Future visits to see Lord Elgin's "fine statues" brought from Athens; Mr Vere's garden at Kensington; Mr Cure; and Thomas Forster. Letter from Fanny [Smith's sister] expresses their highest satisfaction for Smith's letter on Salisbury, to which all concur. [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden], the gardener, has lost his only son to a fever in Jamaica. Intends to go to Liverpool after return to Norwich. Thinks report in May issue of "Monthly Magazine" "very handsome & amicable" to himself and "very severe" on Salisbury.

[Letter incomplete: last lines of second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

No summary available.

Lists general contents of the Wernerian Natural History Society's first volume. The Edinburgh Natural History Society founded by Smith, of which Neill was Secretary for two years, is in a "flourishing state", botanical members include Mr Shuter, Mr Kennedy, and Edward Maughan. Neill had hoped to incorporate the two societies but due to their different natures and composition of members was impossible. Admits that the Wernerian name has caused some offence. A blunder over 'Dicksonia arborescens'. 'Lichen frigdus' figured in "English Botany" covers Hoy Hill, Orkney. Location for indigenous 'Imperatoria ostruthium'.

Recalls JH's visit to Hammersmith. Asks TB to permit JH's cousin Mary Baldwin to visit Slough at time of Ascot races. Received letter from [TB's daughter] Sophia.

Received Smith's letter of 22 December 1807, but is hindered by disrupted navigation from sending anything other than a letter. His own observations in response to Smith's observations on plant specimens 703-780. Lists those of his plant specimens sent to Smith still to be determined. [Carl] Willdenow has not written to him for some time, so still in doubt over the specimens he sent for determination.

Received [Dawson] Turner's "Muscologiae Hibernicae" and his treatise on 'Fucus' ["A synopsis of the British Fucus"].