Mr Alexander has left London for a fortnight so he could not consult him further for Smith's eye complaint.

His son [George William Clinton] who is destined for the medical profession, is enthusiastic in the pursuits of natural history and admires Smith and is sending him some specimens, hints that an acknowledgment would be appreciated. Received Smith's of 26 June. Comments on how much the names of [Thomas William Coke] and Smith are appreciated in his country. [David] Hosack has married "an excellent woman with a splendid fortune".

Small newspaper clipping attached entitled "More Wonders", a humorous piece on natural history curiosities and "gentlemens' corsets".

Sends collection of plants collected in the local vicinity this year, for Smith to return with their proper names affixed. Under Smith's obligation as author to his "Introduction to Botany"; apologises for the request.

Sends parcel of plants from [George] Arnott, just returned from excursion to Scotland. Sends copy of his work on Pyrenaean plants; apologises for delay; printed in a hasty manner. The last year so taken up with his legal studies that he has neglected botany, but time spent with Arnott and [William Jackson] Hooker has revived his interest; wrote to Montpellier, [France], to have his herbarium sent over.

Encloses specimen of 'Cyperus longus', and remarks and sketch of an unidentified grass, to be returned, and sketch of floret and advanced seed vessel of 'Phyteuma spicatum'. Lost most of his 'Ophrys' specimens; encloses one.

His pleasure at receiving so flattering a letter from Smith, "what a charm is thrown by this delightful science over the most dull & painful hours of sickness".

[Separate note] Does not believes colour should be used as a character for 'Ophrys apifera'; remarks on its colour.

Glad to hear that Smith attended the musical festival at Norwich. Does not think Mr Alexander's hurried advice could have done Smith's eye much benefit. Lady Cullum visited Mrs [Catherine] Lambert in London, she is confined to bed having lost the use of one side of her body and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert is in Wiltshire and attended the annual meeting of "literati" at Sir [Richard] Colt Hoare's. Attended Horticultural Society meeting; there were numerous apples and pears and a "magnificent" number of species and varietites of 'Dahlia', and in Covent Garden market Coe's plum or the golden drop are selling three shillings a dozen. London weather prevented him from going to the Chiswick garden. [John] Latham publishing an index to his "General History of Birds". Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough's] death gave him much cause for concern, and shocked at how few members of the Linnean Society from 1788 and 1789 are still alive.

In footnote Mary Cullum sends her good wishes to the Smiths.

Informs Smith of the return of [David Douglas (1799-1834), plant collector and traveller], after two years exploring the Columbia River region on behalf of the Horticultural Society and Hudson's Bay Company. He saw a giant pine 19 feet in diameter and 215 feet high, amongst many other discoveries.

His infirm health and increasing debility prevent him from joining the Smiths at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]; reflections on approaching death. Endeavouring to finish his literary work with all reasonable speed: revising his catalogue of Holkham manuscripts for last time, including Mr Madden's additions; finishing his "Mondandrian Plants" with the 15th number; and finishing his pamphlet on American penitentiary system with advocation for a system equally desireable in this country if not for its "old institutions & inveterate prejudices".

Thanks for Smith's remarks on his descriptions of Monandrian plants and assents to Smith's opinion regarding 'Renealmia'; will place in it the 'Cardamom' plant, radical flowering 'Alpinia', and other plants which according to their system are not in any other genus. Received from [William] Carey [(1761-1834)] in Serampore four flowers of 'Curcuma' preserved in spirits. Had been anxious about [Nathaniel] Wallich after hearing he had remained behind the embassy among the Burmese, but now hears he is expected in about a month with an "immense cargo" of living and dried plants including 'Curcuma' and 'Crina'; the 'Scitamineae' Wallich promised him will be too late for his purposes now.

Pleased by the visit of Smith's relation, Frederick Smith. [Thomas] Lister Parker [(1779-1858), antiquary] visited and mentioned the "great pine", believes branches and cones have been sent to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Wishes her husband [Sir James Edward Smith] and himself had been young and well enough to attend first meetings of the season of the Horticultural, Linnean, and Royal Societies. His son and family are to winter at Nice but concerned that from [Thomas] Martyn's report of the weather in Nice in his "Tour through Italy" (1787) it will not help the ill Mrs Cullum. Returns basket with young pheasant.

Thanks for Smith's hospitality in England; sending specimens. Encloses sheet of queries, Smith has inserted his answers to these.

Appoints Robert Brown to be a Vice-President in place of the late Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough].

Complaint in both his eyes has obliged him to be "quite idle for some days".

His brother[-in-law] Mr Martin has not succeeded. Pleased to hear Roscoe so close to end of his ["Monandrian Plants"], which is "one of the few really original, valuable & learned works in Botany that this age has seen"; wishes he could review it in Taylor's "Philosophical Magazine". "English Flora" nearly printed and about to start work on "Flora Graeca".

Debilitated by a low catarrhous complaint which ended in a serious and painful ophthalmia. Sorry Roscoe could not visit this year; he himself could not go to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]. Glad Roscoe accedes to 'Renealmia', as Reneaulme "deserved a good genus"; has his "very curious" book which the [Bauhins] never quote, which is commented on by Linnaeus, should Roscoe also wish to.

Return of David Douglas [(1799-1834), botanist] from America and his "great acquisition of new species of plants"; proposes that he be raised from ALS to FLS, with the usual fees waived, as recognition of his achievements. It would also compliment that Horticultural Society, the Linnean Society's "sister". The old Linnean Club "going on prosperously this season".

[First two and a half folios by Mary Jane Forster to Pleasance Smith]: Thanks for turkey. Glad that Smith is well enough to tend to botanical pursuits. Mildness of the weather. Family news.

[Remaining folio and a half by Edward Forster to Sir James Edward Smith]: his pleasure at introducing a banking correspondent, John Eddowes Bowman, into a botanical one; proposed him as FLS.

Finished fourth volume of "English Flora" except for the printing, and now working on continuing "Flora Graeca"; hopes to reach the conclusion during the winter. His eyes have recovered. [Thomas William Coke] expecting them both to visit Holkham in the spring, Dawson Turner is currently there. Sorry to hear of Roscoe's health problems; his own.