Looking forward to visit by Smith and his cousins; Napoleon's abdication was not known of when Smith sent last letter. [William] Webb still undecided whether to take vacant preferment [parsonage and rectory of Fornham, Suffolk], Cullum has advised to wait for mastership of the college [Clare Hall, Cambridge]. Smith's visit to Bury will be quiet with everyone away at either the Commencement at Cambridge or the Ipswich Races and the presentation of plate to the "gallant" Sir [Philip Bowes Vere] Broke [(1776-1841), whilst commanding the HMS Shannon he captured the USS Chesapeake on 1 June 1813, during the War of 1812].

Was surprised not to hear anything from Cullum during "the great stir" caused by [Thomas] Martyn's [erroneously reported] death; certain it has not damaged his campaign for the Cambridge botany professorship. The Duke of Bedford [John Russell, 6th Duke], Lord Hardwicke [Philip Yorke, 3rd Earl of Hardwicke (1757-1834)], Lord Spencer [George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer], [Viscount] Althorp [John Charles Spencer (1782-1845)], [Marquess of] Tavistock [Francis Russell (1788-1861)], [Lord] John Thynne [(1772-1849)], Dean of Lincoln [George Gordon] and others have all come out in support of Smith. Will canvas at Cambridge for a week with Dr [Martin] Davy, and if the conditions are right and the vice-chancellor approves will ask Martyn to resign the professorship and hold the election. Edward [Hall] Alderson [(1787-1857)] of the Temple has a committee sitting for him. Will or has recently seen [William] Webb and [William] Kirby. Both the Bishop of Bristol [William Mansel] and Lord John Thynne convinced Smith will succeed. Plans to be at Linnean Society on 2 April to admit the Duke of Bedford a FLS.

Attended a dinner at Clare Hall, Cambridge, with [William] Webb and Dr [Martin] Davy, who hopes for Smith's success [in campaign for Cambridge botany professorship]; neither [George] Leathes [(1779-1836)] or Davies were mentioned [Smith's rivals for professorship]. The university divided on mode of election as there has not been one for a botanical professor for fifty years, and whether the college heads can reduce the number of candidates to two.

Attended Linnean Club dinner; [Alexander] Macleay in chair supported by [William] Smith and [Joseph] Sabine, William Webb admitted a FLS by Sabine, [Edward and Thomas Furly] Forster also present, [William George] Maton absent on account of death of his father, and [Thomas] Marsham absent until "times are better with him". Sir Everard Home [(1756-1832), physician], took chair at Royal Society as Sir Joseph Banks too ill, two archdukes who wanted to become FRS announced and duly elected. A botanical publication brought from Paris by Bowater for [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert seized with the contraband items it was packed with. [William Elford] Leach, "the great zoological reformer", has been elected FRS and Duke of Norfolk [Bernard Howard (1765-1842)] nominated by Banks. Presumes Smith and the Council will propose a plan for amending Linnean Society finances.

Hopes [William Elford] Leach's long paper in the new volume of "Linnean Transactions" ['A tabular View of the external Characters of Four Classes of Animals'] will not lead the Society to be called the "Crabby, or Crusty Society".

Honored by Lady Cullum's visit to him in Bury. The "severe east wind & most abominable atmosphere" in London have given him several colds. No news of the lawyers opinion of mode of electing a future professor [Smith's campaign for Cambridge botany professorship]. Intends to return to London for 7 May to attend Linnean Society and admit Duke of Bedford [John Russell, 6th Duke] FLS. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert "rather nervous, but cheerful", Sir Joseph Banks "very well" and Lady Banks "very fat, good humoured & kind as usual". Very full club at last Royal Society meeting, four new fellows admitted. Attended dinner and party at [Edward] Rudge's with the Goodenoughs, Marsdens, Blackwells, Sir William and Lady Anson, and Bathursts.

Lady Cullum pleased by her visit to Smith. [William] Webb, Master of Clare Hall, wonders if the Cambridge collge heads can reduce the number of candidates to two [Smith's campaign for botany professorship].

Reminisces that at this time of year in his youth he collected 'Orchis mascula' in the meadows and 'Ophrys aranifera' in the chalk hills and pits. If in Yorkshire this summer hopes to see 'Trientalis' growing on its native soil near Scarborough and to pick 'Primula farinosa', as [William] Curtis did. Glad Sir Joseph Banks is well but wishes [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert in better spirits. Enquires if a Linnean Society list for 1788 was printed, to complete his collection of 1789 to 1815 inclusive; a minute of the first meeting in his possession lists Smith, [Samuel] Goodenough, Jonas Dryander, James Dickson, John Beckwith, Thomas Marsham, and John Timothy Swainson in attendance. Wishes Marsham had continued as Secretary.

Suffering from a violent cold caused by severe weather and "pestilential town air". Plans to visit Cullum in Bury after visiting [Humphry] Repton in Harestreet, [Essex]. Does not think a Linnean Society list was printed before 1789. Edward Forster to be proposed as new Society Secretary and Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley as Vice-President. Sir Joseph Banks ill in bed with a slight erysipelas on his toe and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert "well & cheerful, but nervous".

Smith missed at Linnean Society anniversary meeting and dinner; Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] took chair with [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley, [William George] Maton, [Jelinger] Symons, [Edward and Thomas Furly] Forster, and President of Horticultual Society [Thomas Andrew Knight] also attended. Glad Smith and Sir Joseph Banks have been elected honorary members of the Horticultural Society, though concerned whether both it and the Linnean Society can thrive. Leaving for Yorkshire shortly. Little notice taken of [Thomas] Marsham's resignation letter. [John] Francillon's [(1744-1816), entomologist] ill with asthma and dropsy, no hope of recovery.

Developments at Cambridge leave him hopeful for Smith's success [campign for botany professorship]; Dr [Martin] Davy wants Smith to admit himself a member of Pembroke College. Bundle of Cayenne plants left for Smith by Sir Thomas Gage.

Recently stayed at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] with Mr Barnwell and Lord Nugent [George Nugent-Grenville, 2nd Baron Nugent (1788-1850)]. Intends to see Professor [Thomas] Martyn on way to visiting Duke of Bedford [John Russell, 6th Duke] with Coke. Invites the Cullums to visit during Norfolk assize week before going to Holkham again.

Beginning of a draft response in Lady Cullum's hand at bottom of recto of second folio.

Accepts Smith's invitation to visit in Norwich. His sister, Mrs Palmer, unwell with a "great weakness" in her bowels. Hopes Smith received parcel of Cayenne plants sent by Sir Thomas Gage on leaving Hengrave, [Suffolk], for the continent.

Sends Cullum a "perfect" copy of his "Compendium [florae Britannicae]"; notes that though he has observed some of [Olof] Swartz and [Robert] Brown's 'Orchidea' genus he has given them "new, easy, & plain characters" of his own. Currently very ill.

Putting [Thomas William] Coke's set of "English Botany" into the same order as Cullum's. Anticipating his visit to the Bury Fair so long as it does not coincide with the Norwich sessions. Master of Caius [College, Cambridge, Martin Davy] expected at Holkham [home of Coke].

Received Smith's letter of 17 September. Invites and suggests itinerary for Smith to visit the Bury Fair in October. [John] Hemsted [(c 1747-1824)], a contributor to "English Botany", staying with him. His admiration of the Master of Caius [College, Matin Davy].

Accepts Cullum's invitation to visit during the Bury Fair. An American family staying at Holkham, [Robert and Marianne] Paterson and her two sisters [Elizabeth and Louisa], the ladies are "very agreeable" and "very clever" and intend to be at Bury Fair.

Thanks Cullum for his hospitality; they dined with [Thomas] Woodward on their way home. Expecting Professor [Franz Karl] Mertens from Bremen and Dawson Turner. Writing to congratulate "our friend at Clare Hall" [probably William Webb]. Compliments to mutual friends.

Missed Linnean dinner but concludes [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, [William George] Maton, Edward Forster, [William Horton] Lloyd, [Alexander] Macleay, and [Joseph] Sabine attended. Pities [Thomas] Marsham, though he has behaved so badly that his friends "cannot palliate his behaviour", and understands that Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] is particulaly upset [after Marsham stole funds from the Linnean Society]. Sir Joseph Banks in good health. Attended Linnean Club meeting at British Coffee House, Maton in chair as Lambert unfit to attend, Sabine, Macleay, Forster, [Robert] Brown, [William] Pilkington [(1758-1848)], and [William] Smith attended.

Met Sir Christopher Pegge [(1765-1822)], Oxford professor of anatomy, at Hunterian Museum, he has moved to Upper Grosvenor Street. Frequently sees Dr [William] Webb, Master of Clare Hall. Has not seen Dr [John] Haviland [(1785-1851)], Sir Isaac Pennington's [(1745-1817)] successor [as Cambridge Regius professor of Physic], but thinks him influential for Smith's Cambridge prospects. Duke of Bedford's [John Russell, 6th Duke] "handsome present" to Smith [copy of "Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis"], having consulted Sir Humphry Davy's copy thinks the work "truly worthy of a Duke of Bedford".

Recently stayed with Dr Martineau. Asks if Smith has seen Revd and Mrs Ward, who sent the East India seeds sent on to Lambert for distribution. Bought fourth part of Smith's "Prodromous florae Graecae" and Arabella Rowden's [(1774-1840)] "Poetical Introduction to the Study of Botany", would like to know what is the plant 'Brusenia' she gives as an example of 'Polyandria decagynia' in the latter [Smith has annotated "'Brasenia' Schreb. Gen. p.372"]. Transcribes, in Latin, a reference found in records of the monastery at Bury St Edmunds requesting a herb called "scathery" for the monks to eat with their beans; asks if this was ever a name for parsley.

Not as ill as he was this time last year. The plant of "lady botanist" [Arabella Rowden], 'Brusenia', should have been 'Brasenia', a genus of Schreber's in "Genera Plantarum" p.372, does not know the plant himself. Cannot find anything on Cullum's herb "scathery" and frustrated by lack of index to [Henry] Lyte's [(1529-1607), botanist] "Herbal", but thinks they may find something at Sir Joseph Banks' in [Thomas] Tusser [(1524-1580)], a favourite book of Banks' ["Five hundred pointes of good Husbandrie" (1580)], and thinks it must be parsley. Holds a great regard for Sir Christopher Pegge [(1765-1822), Oxford professor of anatomy]. Dr and Mrs Ward live too far away for them to call.

Leaving for London tomorrow and will attend Horticultural Society anniversary meeting and Linnean Society monthly meeting. Satisfied with Smith's explanation that [Arabella] Rowland's 'Brusenia' should have been Schreber's 'Brasenia'. Determined that the herb "scathery" is the winter or summer savory, in English called "saverye or saveraye", and in Dutch "saturey", and said by Gerard to be good eaten with "Beanes and Peason and other windie pulses" Ger.Em.p.577; this confirms Professor [Thomas] Martyn's observation in [Philip] Miller's "[Gardener's and botanist's] Dictionary" that winter and summer savory and other pot herbs must have been cultivated a long time before spices from the East Indies were in common use.

Glad none of Smith's relations were involved in the "dreadful catastrophe" of the exploding steam engine on the boat. Sorry for his friend Mr Davies' credit that he has not done anything generous for friends or relations in his will. Looking forward to seeing Smith in London.

Brief account of his tour following his taking of the Cheltenham waters for twenty-one days: returned to Bury via Marquess of Buckingham at Stowe, Bedford, St Neots, Cambridge, and Newmarket, also called on Professor [Thomas] Martyn who appeared cheerful but weak and debilitated. Spent a fortnight in Ipswich and visited to Languard Fort but could not find the 'Santolina maritima' he had noted in his "Flora Britannica" as finding there with Smith on 16 August 1793. Colonel West, governor of the Fort, has enclosed a considerable piece of the sandy ground for a garden.

Wishes to subscribe to Mr Matchett's "topographical history of all the villages in Norfolk", to be published as a supplementary volume to Blomfield's "Norfolk". Charles Miller [(c 1739-1817)], son of Philip Miller, died in London on 6 October, he never married but left all his £35,000 to £40,000 property to his eighteen-year-old daughter, aside from legacies of £5,000. Declined to become an executor after the other two refused to put it into Chancery; he spent twenty years in Bencoolen before returning to England, laments that a man so capable of being a useful member of society passed his life almost unknown and unseen.

Has been busy writing all winter including business and botanical letters and finishing his part of Rees' "Cyclopaedia", now at 'Yucca'. Interrupted for some weeks by a "very severe & obstinate bowel complaint" that began with vertigo, which many have had this winter, recovered but now labouring under a bad catarrh. Confident about his Cambridge prospects regarding the garden and Walker's lectureships; Dr [Martin] Davy says the new Professor of Physic [John Haviland (1785-1851)] has promised his vote as one of the five trustees and sure of two more, has written to vice-chancellor but has not heard anything for six weeks, if possible would like to give a course of lectures this spring.