Encourages Roscoe and Mrs Roscoe to visit Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] this autumn. Thanks for Roscoe recommending his Cambridge candidature [for botany professorship] to Professor [William] Smyth [(1765-1849), historian]; lists his many "warm & weighty friends", including: the Vice-Chancellor, the Bishop of Bristol [William Mansel], the Masters of Caius [Martin Davy], Downing [William Frere (1775-1836)], and Pembroke [Joseph Turner (1747-1828)], the Provost of King's [Humphrey Sumner], and others.

Professor [Thomas] Martyn has offered to resign whenever best suited; details of the three part position and plan for securing the professorship. Asks Roscoe to recommend him to the Duke of Gloucester [Prince William Frederick (1776-1834), chancellor of Cambridge University], hopes that he will act in favour of "whiggism & science, against mere old-fashioned espirit de corps". There are no legal obstacles or subscriptions against him but fears the Rutland interest or the Bishop of Ely [Bowyer Sparke (1759-1836)] being used against him. Coke is obtaining interests of Duke of Bedford and Lord Hardwicke; asks Roscoe to gain support of [Thomas] Creevey [(1768-1838), politician]. Recommends his biography of [José Celestino Bruno] Mutis [(1732-1808), botanist] in [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia".

Urges to send copies of [S. F.] Lacroix's work and École polytechnique journal. James Grahame is successfully studying law. Grahame's father is staying with JH and his presence makes JH 'better and wiser.' Has been thinking much. Hopes JW will check on printing of Memoirs of the Analytical Society. [Letter completed 1813-8-3.]

Has sent [James] Sowerby 'Carduus tuberosus'. Relates how a grandson of Dr [Nehemia] Grew [(1641-1712) pioneering of plant anatomy] introduced himself. Hopes to soon send to Sowerby an 'Oenothera' in flower from Mexico. Recommended Smith's "Introduction to Botany" as the best introductory work for a friend's sons.

Whilst investigating respiratory organs of different animals he discovered that the circulation of the butterfly is performed by a heart, and has since observed it in other insects, particularly the garden snail.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Smith could have contacted him about his candidacy without [Thomas William] Coke's insistence. Unable to offer much assistance as he removed himself from Trinity College twenty-eight years ago; canvassed a Mr Davies for Smith but received an evasive answer.

Found species of 'Trifolium' near here, hopes it is 'Trifolium squarrosum' Willdenow [Smith has annotated "right HL"]; comparison with Spanish specimen. Also found new 'Verrucaria' and 'Lecidea'; observations.

[Spec 12 written in pencil on verso of first folio]

Has applied for position of Keeper of Natural History at British Museum vacant by death of [George] Shaw; solicits Smith's support. [William George] Maton has presented his application to Sir Joseph Banks. Expects to finish his history of Hampshire within the next year and to then devote himself to natural history. Requests Smith to present his application to the Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North].

Gives further instructions on sending books [see JH's 1813-8-2]. Comments on 'refractory' nature of religious thought. Is not in love, but teases JW about frequent visits to Thackerays. Recounts current heavy involvement in music, asking [Thomas?] Greenwood for help with harmonies.

Informed in confidence that [Charles] Konig will most likely become Keeper of Natural History at British Museum in consequence of his "great exertion" in arrangement of the Greville minerals. [Bingley] believes he has great friends in the Museum, having heard of [George] Shaw's death less than 24 hours later.

Pledges his support to Smith for situation of Professor of Botany [at Cambridge], though his name has long been taken off the boards for voting. Asks for Smith's continued support in his campaign for Keeper position, and to interest Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North], Archbishop of Canterbury [Charles Manners-Sutton (1755-1828)], and Sir Joseph Banks to his cause.

Has written to Duke of Gloucester [Prince William Frederick (1776-1834), chancellor of Cambridge University] and [Thomas] Creevey [(1768-1838), politician] in support of Smith's Cambridge candidature [for botany professorship]; does not doubt Smith's success. His knee recovering but cannot yet commit to a journey to Norfolk. Has ordered [William] Roxburgh's "Asiatic researches" paper on 'Scitamineae', in which he appears to have partially adopted his [Roscoe's] arrangement but without acknowledgement, and eleventh volume of "Linnean Transactions" containing his paper ['On Artificial and Natural Arrangements of Plants']; his concerns about the paper. Will look out Smith's biography of [José Celestino Bruno] Mutis [(1732-1808), botanist] in [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia".

Has manuscript copy of [Peter Simon] Pallas' autobiography by way of [William] Coxe [(1748-1828)] and a German life of Pallas possibly by [Kurt] Sprengel is at Sir Joseph Banks'. Received a letter from Dr [Eriedrich Ernst Ludwig von] Fisher of the Gorenki Gardens, [Russia], stating that Pallas left all his natural history collection to the Academy of Berlin where he died. Has sent 'Leptospermum', 'Plumeria pudica', 'Justicia americana', and 'Russelia' to [James] Sowerby for "Exotic Botany". Has grown a new species of 'Brucea' from seed, and plants from Mexico. Pleased at Smith's good prospects for Cambridge professorship. Death of [George] Shaw from a bowel complaint. Sent Sir Jospeh Banks plants of the true chili, believes Smith is wrong about them.

Found 'Aristolochia clematitis' in flower at Oxford Botanic Garden, discussion with gardener, notes on enclosed specimen [extant]; found 'Tipula plumicornis' in some of the flowers. Wishes Smith success in his application for botanic chair at Cambridge [University]. Concerned at reports of death of Revd Hornsted. Met Dr [George] Williams, Oxford Professor of Botany, at the Oxford garden. His commitment to natural history; has named his recently born daughter "Linnaea".

Specimen of 'Aristolochia clematitis'.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Suffering from ill health and a serious complaint in his eyes. Will support Smith's candidacy but as an Oxford man has few Cambridge connections.

Has been to London and procured the books mentioned by CB. Mentions differential equations of P. S. Laplace. Regarding some of CB's theorems. Problem of law of chance. Printing of his memoir.

Asks to JW to check on books apparently sent [see JH's 1813-8-2 & 1813-8-6], which have not yet arrived.

Lists the candidates for [Charles] Konig's now vacant position [for Assistant Keeper of Natural History at British Museum]: Dr [William Elford] Leach, Mr Wood, Mr Lawrence, and Mr Thompson; requests information on Leach and Thompson. Transcribes letters of support from the Bishop [of Winchester, Brownlow North] and Lord Malmesbury [James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury (1746-1820)]. Will support Smith's application for Professor of Botany [at Cambridge], asks for particularls of "Flora Graeca" so as to better argue Smith's claim.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Everyone convinced Smith has best scientific claim for the professorship. Promised to give his own vote to [Richard] Relhan and solicited to give a second vote should Relhan concede in favour of Brook, but as Relhan now unlikely to contest unsure what to do. Will canvas for Smith with any voters he meets.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Reiterates importance of having the vice-chancellor's [William Chafy (1779-1843), vice-chancellor 1813 & 1829] support for both the Walkerian lectureship and the whole Professorship. Explains structure of the Senate, lists college heads currently supporting Smith, debates other potential supporters and process of election. [Arthur] Biggs' [(1765-1848)] election as curator of Botanic Garden. Sir Issac Pennington [(1745-1817), physician and chemist] thinks Smith's non-membership of the university or Church of England makes it difficult for him to be granted an appointment; Martyn refutes this, with examples. Death of [George] Shaw.

Numbered observations on enclosed plants: 1. what he takes to be either an 'Anthemis' or 'Matricaria', "which has been a stumbling block for 20 years", and is none of those described in "Flora Britannica"; 2. an 'Atriplex' possibly 'A. hastata'.

Was already supporting Smith's candidacy for Cambridge Botany Professorship when he received Coke's letter canvassing for same.