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Discusses his paper on 'Proteaceae' and reasons for keeping the name 'Hakea' instead of Smith's apparent suggestion of 'Conchium'. This was in deference to [Baron Christian Ludwig von] Hake, and previous use by [Heinrich] Schrader, [Antonio José] Cavanilles, [Jacques] La Billardiere and [Etienne Pierre] Ventenat, and being pushed by [Jonas] Dryander having used it in his catalogue of New Holland [Australian] plants and the strong likelihood of it being used in "Hortus Kewensis".

Thanks for 'Jungermanniae' specimens from "that wonderfully promising young naturalist" [William Jackson] Hooker. Recommends Smith avoid anything that will "keep up or awaken the gall [...] of that worthless wasp" [Richard] Salisbury.

Clarifies that his comment about [James] Hoy's 'Ossigrapha' being more like figures of Hoffmann's 'Verrucaria purpurascens' than any other he could find; different from [Dawson] Turner's 'calcarea'. Turner has requested specimens of 'Fucus brodieii'; encloses some for Smith. Sent [Samuel] Goodenough specimens of 'Fucus brodieii' and 'F. lycopodioides'; Goodenough anxious to establish his varities of 'F. tetragonus' and 'F. escutentus'. Received new specimens from [George] Don, expects he will send to Smith as well, listed, with observations: 'Orbus', 'Lychris alpina', 'Myosotis nana' or 'M. lappula', 'Silene alpestre', 'Epilobium montanum', 'Hypericum barbatum', 'Erigerum uniflorum', 'Veronica allionii', 'Viola lutea', 'Hieracium alpinum' or 'H. villosum', and variety of 'Lamium amplixicaule'.

His son broke his collar bone in a hunting accident but had good fortune to meet his surgeon on way home, hopeful of good recovery considering Duke of Portland's recovery from his many accidents.

Timber prices: informed by Dr Barham of Kent that Lord Despenser has lately sold English fir for 2500 at 3/9 per foot, and by Duke of Gordon that [James] Brodie has just also sold some advantageously; advising his friends to not pay more than 10d per cubic foot for Riga timber, it is now 5/8 at York, and there is none in Stockton-on-Tees, [County Durham] where it is usually sold.

Pleased with [Dawson] Turner's work [probably "Fucus sive plantarum fucorum..." (1808-1819)], Turner's 'T. pusillus' was amongst the drawings he sent Turner, found at Exmouth, [Devon], in 1799. Sent Turner receipt for an effective rheumatism medicine received from Hoppover two years ago.

Has sent a package including specimens of 'Salix', a possible variation of 'Oenanthe pimpinelloides', and a 'Adiantum capillus-veneris' sent for the curiosity of where it grew. Encloses a fern [extant] omitted from the package. Thanks Smith for the prescription of ginger which has helped his health, however is now suffering from a severe bout of rheumatism. Asks whether he should be sea bathing for relief at the age of 70. Requests specimens of 'Daviesia umbellulata' and 'Daviesia corymbosa'.

Specimen of fern.

Has letter for Smith from [James] Brodie. Invites Smith to dinner before going on to the Linnean Society with [Thomas] Marsham, "the sight of the three fathers of the Society marching in together must be, as the French say, grand and magnificent". Has a copy of his sermon before the House of Lords on fast-day for Smith [see RelatedMaterial].

Hopes Smith has received last parcel he sent by way of Yarmouth, [Norfolk]; it included most recent "Acta" from their Academy of Sciences. Glad to hear from [William Jackson] Hooker of Smith's good health; his own health is good. Relief and some trepidation at recent turn in political events [probably in reference to Sweden's defeat in Finnish War and Pomeranian War]. Keen to see ninth volume of "Linnean Transactions" and the papers on cryptogams, as they will be an addition to the "opsculi" he is working on, and which he believes is his last.

His friend, [Goran] Wahlenberg [(1780-1851), botanist], has almost finished his "Flora Lapponica"; remarks on increase in species.

His health: consulted Dr Baillie and [William George] Maton, who both confirm his ideas; Maton says that none of the College preparations of antimony are as good as James's powder. He has two patients: Sophia Goodenough and his aunt Kindersley, the latter very weak and incapable of recovery. His trip to Cambridge to see William [Fitt Drake]; meetings and dinners. His time in London; meetings and dinners. William Smith and resignation of the Duke of York [Prince Frederick (1763-1827), son of George III, resigned as Commander-in-Chief following scandal caused by mistress selling army commissions]. Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] made a vice-president of the Royal Society. Lady Amelia Hume suffering epileptic fits.

Discusses problem of the ellipse and offers a method of solving it. States the proper boundary of a front mirror is too difficult to ascertain. Still having problems with teaching.

Thanks for Smith's "delightful letter" of 11 March [1809] and Smith's sentiments concerning his fiancée. Pleased Smith was satisfied with the review of Smith's "Introduction to Botany" by his friend, [Henry] Steinhauer, who is now reviewing Parkinson's "Organic remains of a former world". Offers to translate review of the "Introduction" in Schrader's journal.

Recently found 'Galanthus nivalis' and 'Viola adorata' but no 'Anemone' or 'Ranunculus' has yet flowered with them. Remarks on various genera, including: 'Geranium', 'Erica', 'Smithia'. Asks if Smith ever received White's paper he sent on "Inflammation of the liver". Friends he has made through study of botany. Dispute with Sprengel over 'Aster salignus', which Sprengel sent as 'Boltonia salicifolia'; Sprengel's eccentricities regarding access to the Halle botanic garden.

He and his friends have proposed establishing a circulating library here, in spite of the narrow-mindedness of the locals, citing example of parents who were anxious at his teaching their children geography.