During his journey to London a horse fell under the carriage and they were forced to walk to Newmarket, [Cambridgeshire], rest of journey uneventful but became unwell on reaching London. Called on Sir Thomas Frankland, Mrs [Amelia] Opie [(1769-1853), author], and Sir Joseph Banks', where he saw [Richard] Salisbury, Mr Westall, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, the Pattersons, and [Sir Abraham and Amelia] Hume. Cold weather more suited to him in London than warm. Account of visit to Somerset House [home of the Royal Society], with Prince of Wales [George IV (1762-1830)] in attendance.

[Letter incomplete: part of first folio cropped, and fragment of second folio appended to recto of first]

He has consulted Dr Pictairn about his condition, who says they are the usual consequence of erysipelas. His meetings and entertainments in London: he, William, and the Kindersleys [Smith's cousins] dined at Mrs Munro's, wife of his old Edinburgh friend, at Blackheath, [Kent]; time in Greenwich; went to Lee's; a concert at William Smith's; chatted with Lord [Charles] Stanhope [3rd Earl Stanhope (1753-1816) about politics; William Smith took him to meet [Charles James] Fox [(1749-1806), politician], now has an open invitation to St Anne's Hill, [Surrey, Fox's home]. Has made "bold push" for £100 for his Royal Institution lectures next year. Rudeness of Mrs Marsham. Sixty diners at Linnean Society anniversary meeting.