Recovered from several violent catarrhous complaints and coughs. Also heard a good account of [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and the Linnean Society, "both are in good preservation". He and others doubt the eligibility of Cullum's proposal for an annual Linnean Society medal for best paper, "pure fame is a better object than gold". Currently working on the syngenesious class of Greek plants, which will finish third part of "Florae Graecae Prodromus". Recently wrote lives of Philip Miller and [Robert] Morison [(1620-1683), botanist] for [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia", and [Francis] Masson's [(1741-1805), Kew plant collector] has just appeared [in a footnote to this paragraph Cullum has noted that Smith was paid £3000 for his contributions to the "Cyclopedia"]. Praises Hooker's work "Jungermanniae".

Merits of small turkeys "over more pompous large ones". His roost robbed but only old birds taken.

Sends seeds; asks for list of desiderata to avoid duplication; sends his list.

Thanks for Smith's sympathies on death of his clever and resourceful daughter, [Maria]. She was attended to by Dr [Matthew] Baillie, gives an account of her final illness and death: following her recovery from an indisposition which lasted over a year a bilious attack came on which gave way to a low fever and rapid accumulation of water on the chest and in the lungs, leading to instantaneous suffocation. During the fever her pulse was only from 78 to 84. Calomel, draughts, blisters behind the ears and on the scalp, and seed water were all tried. Sir Joseph Banks very ill but thinks his strong constitution will carry him through; the moderate quantities of L'Eau medicinale he has taken have not had their usual relieving effect.

Encloses lichen resembling 'Lichen leucomelas' found at Babbicombe, [Devon], for Smith's opinion. Tempestuous weather but his brother's health improving.

[Smith has annotated 'Lichen leucomelos' on recto of folio]

Notes and observations accompanying his specimens of 'Myosotis', numbered, including: 'M. patula', 'M. versicolor', 'M. umbrata', 'M. umbrata' variety, 'M. rupicola', 'M. palustris', and 'M. repens'.

Still confined with his rheumatism; abandons his intended visit to Holkham [home of Thomas William Coke] and Norfolk. Prepared an account of improvements at his Chat-Moss farm for the Board of Agriculture. Compiling a catalogue of his pictures, drawings, and prints; discusses del Sarto copy of a portrait of Leo X and his cardinals by Raffaelli.

Hopes Smith received his review of [George] Canning's [(1770-1827), politician] speeches, which he wrote to be "obnoxious to so powerful a party both in politics & literature". Sends verses of his own composition for [Pleasance] Smith as thanks for the medicine recommendation; no relief from external stimulants of hot salt-water baths and frequent blisterings. Recently acquired Lord Bute's copy of Rumphius' [(1627-1702), botanist] ["Herbarii Amboinensis"].

Thanks Macleay for forwarding a packet from [William Jackson] Hooker. Anxious about Sir Joseph Banks' health.

Hopes Smith receives the treatise he is sending [probably "Plantarum Umbelliferarum denuo disponendarum Prodromus" (1813)], asks that the second copy be sent to [Samuel] Goodenough and that he be sent specimens of any plants he is lacking from that family.

Disputes Smith's attribution of 'Fragaria indica' as a new genus in "Linnean Transactions" and [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia", countering Smith's observations with his own, taken from his own plant given him by Lord Valentia [George Annesley]. Would like to show Smith his collection around 1000 hardy herbacious perennials, would be grateful if Smith could suggest anyone with whom he could exchange. Toured Scotland in 1811 but did not make any botanical discoveries. Has [John] Mackay's [(1772-1802), employed at Dickson nursery, Edinburgh] Irish 'Saxifragas' from Edinburgh. List of plants and their habitats.

Disappointed Roscoe is not visiting Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] this spring on account of his rheumatism, but as it is "unusually prevalent" lately confident that he will find the relief others have and is determined for Roscoe to visit him this year. No recollection of the picture Roscoe spoke of in his previous letter [of 27 February] but offers identification advice. Has not received Roscoe's review of [George] Canning's [(1770-1827), politician] speeches. He has written three hymns for a new collection being made at Norwich. Preparing for his London visit in April. Comments on his wife's handwriting.

Sends Roscoe a "song" of nonsense, "The New Doctors", he wrote to amuse his wife and epigram on pleasures of Holkham [both on verso of second folio].

Thanks for Smith's letter of 8 March [1813] and "valuable packet of plants". Offers to procure Smith any Northumberland or Durham plants not currently in Smith's herbarium, now that "English botany" is drawing to a close. Encloses specimen of 'Utricularia intermedia' [extant] for English habitat for plant, 'Utricularia vulgaris' grows with it; 'Rosa rubella' found on sea coast of South Shields, Durham.

Requests specimen of 'Senecio sylvatica'; plant so named in his catalogue as common in this neighbourhood is 'Senecio lividus' of Willdenow and "English botany". Asks if Smith received specimens of 'Saxifraga hirculus' and 'Sagina maritima'.

Specimen, labelled, "'Utricularia intermedia'"; references to 'U. minor' and 'U. vulgaris minor'.

Requests the following 'Orchidaceae' specimens from the Linnean Herbarium when Smith comes to London: 'Orchis tripetaloides', 'Orchis sancta', 'Orchis flava', 'Orchis tipuloides', 'Satyrium aculatum', 'Satyrium pedicellatum', 'Satyrium hians', 'Ophrys cernua', 'Ophrys camtschatea', 'Serapias capensis', 'Limodorum altum', 'Epidendrum amabile', and 'Epidendrum pusillum'. Additionally requests unsettled 'Epidendrum' and 'Arethusa biplumata', [Francis] Buchanan's "two fine 'Epidendra' figured in "Exotic Botany"", and syngenesious plants 'Barnadeisa spinosa', 'Atractylis purpurea', 'Atractylis mexicana', 'Stachelina ilicifolia', 'Perdicium magellanicum', 'Sphaeranthus chinensis', and 'Jungia ferruginea'. Sir Joseph Banks slowly recovering from his attack of gout.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: flowering specimen of a 'Juncus' he previously sent to [Dawson] Turner, like 'J. campestris' but half the size, proposes name 'J. nivalis'; 2. an 'Arenaria', sent before and very rare, does not agree that it is 'A. verna'; 3. a 'Draba' he sent last year but raised in a frame so too luxuriant, this one from Ben Lawers, proposes name 'D. hispida'; 4. an 'Eriophorum' possibly 'E. scheuchzeri'; 5. a 'Cochlearea', different from 'C. greenlandica'.

As Smith is drawing towards the end of "English botany" suggests he overhauls his previous specimens as Smith will find many has has not taken notice of, especially 'Carex silina' and 'C. saxatilis'. Also encloses specimens of 'Juncus' and 'Fussilago alpina'.

10 specimens, several are identical.

Since receiving Smith's letter has compared his specimens of 'Pyrola' sent from Sweden by [Olof] Swartz to [Nathaniel] Winch under name of 'Pyrola minor'; they agree, and also agree with 'P. minor' of "Flora Danica", but not with [James] Sowerby's figure; observations. His uncle, [Edward] Robson, hopes to see Smith at Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Relates remarks by Sowerby on discrepancies in "English botany" figure of 'Cypripedium'. Smith can figure 'Belula pendula' as species distinct from 'B. alba'; observations.

Observing by last number of "English botany" that Smith is beginning to be short of plants has gleaned his herbarium for plants which he now encloses, listed: 1. 'Gnaphalium' from Skye; 2. 'Senecio lividus' for its habitat, frequent Newcastle; 3. 'Viola grandiflora' of the gardens; 4. 'V. amano' Ben Lawers; 5. female 'Salix arenaria'; 6. 'S. andersoniana'; 7. 'S. rupestris'; 8. 'S. incubacea'; 9. 'S. septentrienalis' L'Héritier; 10. 'S. mysinites'; 11. 'S. rubra'; 12. 'S. mollissima'.

Observations on 'Ribes spicatum'. 'Draba incana' in "English botany" is "ten times too large". Will procure 'Rosa rubella' with flowers and fruit this summer. Will send the packet to Smith via [James] Sowerby; would not have written by post "but to prevent it laying six months in his museum".

Smith's candidature for Professorship at Cambridge University. Offers to write to the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge [William Chafy (1779-1843) vice-chancellor 1813 & 1829] in support of Smith's candidature. Warns of impediments: the lecture room has been given up to Dr Clarke, Professor of Mineralogy, and a lack of interest in the subject meant [Richard] Relhan had difficulties making up a class when he lectured on botany. Although has no intention of retiring concedes the possibility of being incapacitated. Discusses other candidates and the university establishment, explains the three components of his position (University Professorship, Walkerian lectureship attached to Botanic Garden, and Regius Professorship) and suggests a course of action: if Smith secures majority support of the Botanic Garden governors then he would resign the lectureship in Smith's favour, strengthening Smith's position for the Regius Professorship at his death.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens [some extant]: 1. a more mature specimen of the 'Juncus' sent in his last letter; 2. the 'Draba' sent in his last letter, with seeds; 3. the 'Cochlearia' sent in his last letter, with spotted leaves, proposes name 'C. maculata'; 4. a 'Poa' discovered last year; 5. a beautiful dwarf 'Geum' from Clova mountains; 6. 'Lotus alpinus; thinks the 'Eriophorum' sent in his last letter is still distinct; 7. a 'Carex' separate from 'C. caespitosa' and 'C. panacea'; 8. a 'Juncus' distinct from 'J. pilosus' and 'J. forsterii'; 9. possible 'Holcus odoratus' of Linnaeus; 10. a truly beautiful 'Viola', constantly blue; 11. another 'Viola' with crumpled leaves; 12. a new 'Lamium' formerly called 'L. intermedium' but nearer Smith's 'L. palmatum'; 13. another 'Lamium', thinks Smith's 'L. moschatum'; 14. a 'Saxifraga' Smith concluded to be 'S. pedatifida', differences; 15. 'Saxifraga angustifolia' of [James] Donn [(1758-1813), curator of Cambridge Botanic Garden]; 16. a 'Saxifraga' between 'S. granulata'; 17. a 'Saxifraga' near no.15 but smoother and more blanched; 18. very rare and elegant 'Saxifraga'.

Five specimens.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Confirms that Smith is correct in thinking that the [Walkerian] Lecturer need not be a member of the University, and can be a foreign or a stranger, but warns of "powerful opposition". Has written to the five trustees of the Botanic Garden in support of Smith and offers to write to the masters of Pembroke and Clare Hall Colleges when Smith decides to canvas. Shall be directed by Sir Joseph Banks in his private negotiations with Smith.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Relates Smith's progress, has support of vice-chancellor [William Chafy (1779-1843) vice-chancellor 1813 & 1829] but some trustees [of the Botanic Garden] may be hostile. Details of his salary, £200 per annum.