Sorry that return of Smith's illness prevented him from visiting [Edward] Forster, to whom he had previously sent a collection of his willows for Smith, concerned Smith has not seen them. His gardener has several specimens he wishes to show Smith, hopes he will be able to see Smith soon.

Condolences on death of Mr Reeve. His botanical work ["Mondandrian Plants"] drawing to conclusion, 12 numbers of expected 15 or 16 published; satisfied with its reception but wishes he had published a larger number. Pleased Smith approves the generic character of 'Matonia', it is nearest allied to 'Roscoea'. Convinced that the 'Cardamom' plant of the east and the 'Renealmia' plant of the west are of the same genus and suggests 'Matonia' for them.

Regrets the only two plants he has not obtained living flowers of are 'Costus speciosus' and 'Alpinia malaccensis', though he has introduced the latter to the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden and area; asks permission to republish Smith's figure of 'C. speciosus'. His acknowledgments for 'Roscoea' will appear with the account of the genus when the work is bound.

He is about to be married to [Jane Martyn (d 1896)], a granddaughter of Professor [Thomas] Martyn. Requests Smith's assistance in obtaining drawings or descriptions of 'Martynia longiflora' and 'M. craniolaria', for coloured drawings he intends to have made of all the 'Martynia' as a gift to his wife.

Death of the Bishop [Samuel Goodenough]. His niece Ethel[red Catherine] Benett to be married to Lord Charles [Spencer-]Churchill [(1794-1840)], second son of the Duke of Marlborough [George Spencer-Churchill], details of a wedding visit by Murrays and Selways.

In postscript Lambert anxious to mention something that occured just before he left London [there are no details but his reference to old sayings "no good can come out of Israel" and "you cannot wash the blackamoor white" imply this may relate to Richard Salisbury]. Last sheets of "Description of the genus Pinus" are to be printed.

Account of a visit to Devon. Read of death of the Bishop [of Carlisle, Samuel Goodenough]; suggests [Robert] Brown as new vice-president for Linnean Society. Hopes Smith received specimen of 'Tinardia palustris'. Plants collected in Devon, including: 'Scirpus holoschoenus', 'Salix argentia', and 'Viola lutea'. Also found 'Senecio squalidus'; reasons for believing it is native, discusses Dr [William] Turton [(1762-1835), conchologist].

Accepts his prospective appointment [as vice-president of Linnean Society] with some trepidation. Glad to hear of the additions of 'Woodia' and 'Ophrys' to "The English Flora" which are new to him, had previously heard of the 'Isnardia' from others. Still unsatisfied with 'Aspidium' and 'Nephrodium'. Currently engaged in examining particles of "faville".

[Robert] Brown makes no objections to becoming a vice-president of Linnean Society. Presumes 'Senecio squalidus' is wild; pleased to hear of 'Ophrys arachnites'; observations on this.

Lady Cullum never free from her "teazing fever", though she has been treated by Dr [Pelham] Warren [(1778-1835)] and Sir Henry Halford [(1766-1844)]. Was not at the [Horticultual Society's] disastrous public breakfast in Chiswick; it was left to one man to provide an afternoon breakfast for 3000 people. Intends to return to London shortly. Death of Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough]. Informed that his old schoolfellow Mr Baker of Portland Place and Orsett, Essex, has left his wife £15,000 per year, her name was Trafford. Purchased account given by committee of the intended London University, notes that William Jackson Hooker is appointed lecturer in Botany and Vegetable Physiology.

Doubts authenticity of Christy's 'Cistus surreyanus' found near Addington, having searched the area himself with [William] Borrer and only finding 'Cistus helianthemum'.

Pestered with many letters, Roscoe's excepted. After returning to Norwich he will spend a fortnight finishing fourth volume of "English Flora", interrupted by Muscial Festival, and ending with a trip to Holkham where they expect to see Roscoe; he does not want to go later and encounter shooting parties and hopes to meet "a most amiable & accomplished young man of fortune, Mr Edw[ar]d Lombe, MP" [(1799-1852), landowner and philanthropist], who longs to know Roscoe.

Pleased Roscoe's ["Monandrian Plants"] has succeeded so well. Agrees with the character of 'Matonia' but discusses difficulty of establishing it over the 'Renealmia' established by Linnaeus, which he thought an 'Alpinia', and the new 'Renealmia' established by [Robert] Brown. Rejoices that in parting with 'Matonia' they can also legally get rid of 'Elettaria'; Decandolle, "with all his wrong-headed zeal", will not attempt to uphold this, though 'Elettaria' is an old name as he professes to keep all of Linnaeus' names, as 'Renealmia' is.

Thanks for Roscoe's sympathies. Suffering from rheumatism in his eyes, as last winter. Must soon continue work on "Flora Graeca". Never published a figure of 'Costus speciosus', though Jacquin has it in his "Icones [plantarum rariorum]", and he published the characters in "Linnean Transactions" vol 1[see RelatedMaterial below]. Roscoe's gardeners will make 'Costus speciosus' and 'Alpinia malaccensis' flower with great heat, drought, or starvation.

List of plants he considers not generally known, offers to send any specimens: 'Epilobium [densum]', 'E. spicatum', 'Ononis spinosa', 'O. arvensis', 'Iris', 'Tormentilla media', 'Veronica decumbens', and 'V. praecox'.

Printing a "copious" index to his "History of Birds"; details of its intended size. Condolences on death of Samuel Goodenough; believes Smith and himself are only surviving founding members of Linnean Society.