Prevented by his knee injury from joining Smith in his visit to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]; suggests postponing until spring. Mortified by Liverpool election result.

Pleased to hear Smith's health is so much reestablished. He made a botanical tour of North Wales in the summer and has expanded his collections of marine and alpine plants, intends to examine them on his return to Bath, [Somerset].

Asks after the remaining "Flora Anglica" ["Flora Britannica"]; "there are such fluctuations in the Syst[emati]c Arrang[emen]t that retard [Smith's] progess" he fears it will be long time, though completion of "English botany" will much improve their botanical libraries, though it must always have an occassional supplementary volume. Intends to start work on pocket edition of his "Illustrationes Theophrasti" this winter.

Disappointed by Roscoe's postponement of Holkham [home of Thomas William Coke] visit and Liverpool election results; plans to devote himself to botany and hopes to see Roscoe at Holkham in the spring. His sorrow at Roscoe missing out on meeting Coke; praises his character. [Andrew] Fountaine has offered Roscoe the entire use of his Italian manuscripts copied at Florence, and opportunity to look over the finest collection of Raphael ware anywhere except at Loretto, [Italy].

Congratulates Macleay on the recovery of his daughter's health. Encloses paper received in a packet for Linnean Society. He is so "very pressed" by Rees' "Cyclopedia" and third part of "Florae Graecae prodromus" he is unable to do anything else, and has cancelled a trip to Holkham [Hall, home of Thomas William Coke]. William Smith to sleep here tonight after his election victory, "not so much that of a party man as a good man", both Norwich members now FLS [other member Charles Harvey].

Thanks [William George] Maton for prescription of "powdered chamomile flowers" for his autumnal headaches.

Although nominated for the Analytical Society by Edward Bromhead, JB declines membership. Praises the society as 'highly calculated to the promotion of mathematical literature.'

Encloses specimen of Smith's 'Rosa spinosissima var. pedunculis aculeatis' for possible inclusion in "English botany"; observations, including differences with 'R. spinosissima'. Asks if Smith ever received his specimen of 'Fontinalis falcata'.

[Olof] Swartz has informed him he has found specimen of a 'Pyrola' of Rivinus and has named it 'P. chlorantha'; has a specimen of this doubtful specimen in his herbarium, gathered in Durham.

Thanks for return of books and drawings. Ill-health prevented him from attending first Linnean Society meeting of the winter. Introduces Dr Heyne of the Madras establishment, a botanist. [William] Roxburgh "incessantly employed" in his botanical studies; recently acquired 'Strychnos colubrina'. Intends to return to India in the spring. Smith should expect "interesting botanical communications" from William Hunter, who accompanied the expedition to Java. Comments on Roxburgh's "clustered leaved" 'Pinus'.

His failing sight. Sends specimen of 'Fontinalis capillarca' to rectify his "former blunder"; apologises for his "censure" on [James] Sowerby. Discusses 'Sphagnum capillifolium'; observations.

Reply to Goodenough's letter dated 25 September 1812; will pacify Mr Holme's botanical pride, should it become necessary. Cannot change his name for 'Carex rariflora' as it is already printed in a current book, as well as it being difficult to find new names for so large a genus; Goodenough's suggestion of 'nivalis' is suitable to many exotic ones. [Dawson] Turner busy "being all things to all men & women", and printing a "Lichenographia Britannica" with [William] Borrer.

Discussion of domestic and international affairs: the new Parliament will not find their business easy; fears Britain will have to give up Spain; Britain making America a maritime power; sees comfort in Russia [Napoleon's failed invasion of Russia]. Received account from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Sir Joseph Banks: Lambert has found 'Carduus tuberosus', it is as obstinate a weed as '[Carduus] arvensis'. Smith intends to follow the the thirty-sixth, and final, volume of "English Botany" with the fourth volume of "Flora Britannica", and has finished the third part of "Florae Graecae Prodromus".

Two weeks of examinations begin tomorrow. Experiments writing with glass pen. Describes glassmaker's methods. Suggests application to micrometers.

His summer uneventful but saw [James] Sowerby on his way back to London after staying with [Dawson] Turner in Yarmouth, and received letter from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert who was in good spirits and said first Linnean Society meeting was very full. Proposes establishment of annual Linnean Society medal for the best paper, similar to the Royal Society's Copley Medal. Sorry for the death of [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow. Will be in London at Pall Mall from February to April.

Hopes to meet Smith at Linnean Society meeting of 7 [December]. Offering 200 specimens of Mauritius plants to Linnean Society, with descriptions; also collected woods and minerals but they are currently detained. Asks that Smith bring drawing of "a fine 'Malvaceous' tree with large yellow flowers"; observations; [William] Roxburgh unable to determine it; sending transcript of description he gave Roxburgh in 1810 [extant]. Description of 'Malvaceous' tree.

Will always receive those friends Smith recommends to him. Would be glad for the "turkey treaty" to begin again. [Sir William Jackson] Hooker has settled his affairs with respect to his ill-fated voyage to Ceylon. [Robert] Brown and [William Townsend] Aiton working on "Hortus Kewensis".

His knee injury worse and confinement with rheumatism or lumbago across the "loins" prevents him from paying Smith and [Thomas William] Coke a Christmas visit. Has written and printed a review [see RelatedMaterial below] of [George] Canning's [(1770-1827), politician] Liverpool election speeches in response to his continual "attacks and sneers against all peaceable people". Repairs to his library and new additions, including a frieze in distemper by Michaelangelo under a picture of his master, Ghirlandaio.

Sending details of some new theorems he has come across.

About the lady JG intends to marry; also JG's law practice.