Thanks for copy of Smith's "Introduction to Botany". Reports from his excursion into Yorkshire: wishes Smith had been with him at the "dropping well" at Knaresborough, there were jungermanniae, lichens, and mosses; found 'Inula helerium' and 'Sedum telefitium' in a hedge bank, 'Atropa belladonna' in churchyard near Ferrybridge, Yorkshire, and in hedges near the town, and 'Colchium autumnale' in meadows about Knaresborough. Recounts anecdote in Dr [Thomas] Zouch's [(1737-1815)], prebendary of Durham and FLS, unpublished "Memoir of the life of Dr John Sudbury", dean of Durham in 1661, about the detainment of the cathedral library's copy of [John] Gerard's "Herbal" by Colonel Robert Lilburn; thinks it curious in showing the estimation in which the book was held. Invites the Smiths to visit for the Bury Fair.

Postscript by Lady Cullum repeating Cullum's invitation.

Unable to visit in October as he is already due to visit Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] with "our Bishop" [presumably Bishop of Norwich, Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)]. Agrees Cullum's anecdote relating to Gerard's "Herbal" is curious. Recommends Dr [Thomas] Zouch's [(1737-1815)] life of Sir Philip Sydney. 'Inula helenium' a very rare plant, does not remember seeing it growing wild but someone once brought a specimen from Suffolk. Has heard good account of Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] but nothing of [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Going to Cambridge early November.

At request of [Thomas William] Coke invites Roscoe to visit Holkham; he is intending to visit again soon with the Bishop [of Norwich, Henry Bathurst (c 1744-1837)] to continue examining the manuscripts, including historical Italian manuscripts copied at Florence and Venice, and printed books "inestimable in value & number". Papers report Roscoe is in Paris researching, but letter from his sister, Mrs Martin, informs him Roscoe is at his Moss farm and in good health.

Laments death of Dr [Henry] Reeve, a "most heavy loss, public & private, in every point".

Describes an oil lamp that makes efficient use of all the oil placed in it.

Received Smith's letter of 3 [October] too late to accompany Smith and the Bishop [of Norwich, Henry Bathurst (c 1744-1837)] to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke], but the return of his sons, William and Robert, from France frees him to visit from beginning of November.

Returns proof sheets. Macleay should never expect anything from him "by return of post" as their letters are not delivered in enough time. Uncertain whether his "Sir-ship" should appear in the title and headlines of his paper, as though the paper was written long before his knighthood he believes the author should have the designation belonging to him at the time the paper is published; leaves decision to Macleay. [Thomas William] Coke to send Macleay some game on his behalf. Hopes Macleay received paper he forwarded by [Constantine Rafinesque] Schmaltz.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Approves of Smith's plan to only apply for Walkerian lecturership at present and await opportunity of applying for professorship. Equates Smith's situation to hostility his father [John Martyn (1699-1768) Cambridge professor of botany 1732-1762] faced when applying for professorship.

Received Smith's letter of 18 October and forwarded Smith's letter to Mr Scott. Compliments Smith and Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)] on their apt choice of reading material in the library at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] and asks whether Roman Catholics attach any religious worth to the possession of missals, in reference to manuscript of the Greek Testament at Holkham. Surprised to hear that Smith is experiencing difficulties retrieving a manuscript from the widow of Kennicot.

Has not seen the "Monthly Review" since it started attacking the doctrines and establishment of the Church after the death of the editor [Ralph] Griffiths [(c 1720-1803)] but will look out for it [for Richard Salisbury's review of second edition of "Hortus Kewensis"]. Goodenough generally criticises Salisbury but asks if he praised "Hortus Kewensis" and wonders at his finally praising Smith [for granting of his knighthood]. Goodenough's daughter has given birth to her first son and his twenty-third grandchild, the boy is to be christened alongside daughter by his daughter, Charlotte, by his son, Samuel, in Rose Castle chapel.

CB has founded 'a calculus totally new and immensely powerful.'

Praising CB's functional equations. How to become an F.R.S. Conditions at Slough. Hears that he is coming to live in London.

Plans for their visit to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]: advises Roscoe to leave for Norwich after 6 November and for them to set out for Holkham on 1 December; further details and questions regarding the visit, including trip to [Andrew] Fountaine at Narford [Hall, Norfolk].

Thanks for gift of partridges, which are very scarce this season. Encloses letter addressed to his friend Mr Stoddart from a French Count, recommends Smith establish a correspondence. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert has come to London in a state of nervous irritation similar to previous complaints of his.

Has executed all of CB's commissions. Hopes to meet Charles Shadwell when in town. Is in the throes of exams. Thinking of taking up mathematics. Relates further chemical experiments.

Finds no experimental evidence connecting index of capillary action to index of refraction.

Sends catalogue of plants [possibly "Catalogus Horti. Regii. Botanici. Landishuthi Bojurum 1810"], offers to send any plants Smith desires.

Invites Smith and his wife to stay next week whilst [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Mrs Lochee are also visiting.

Unable to visit as they are expecting [William] Roscoe, who is to visit Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] with them, and Smith must be in Norwich on 29 November as steward of the first ball. Intends to write to Dr [George] Thackery, new vice-chancellor of Cambridge, regarding garden and lectureship, which if he gains he will enter the university and if not remain as he is, as advised the Bishop of Bristol [William Mansel]. The Dean [of Norwich, Joseph Turner (1747-1828)] says that the university cannot avoid offering the professorship to Smith and if they do he should be offered an MA without entering. Invites the Cullums, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Mrs Lochee to them instead. Dr Davy dying of a cancerous disorder in the mouth at Dr Tuthill's, Soho Square, a great loss.

In postscript addressed to Lambert invites him and Mrs Lochee to Norwich whilst Roscoe is staying; they cannot alter their day of going to Holkham as they are engaged to meet the Duke of Gloucester [Prince William (1776-1834), chancellor of Cambridge University], with whom Roscoe is well acquainted.

Violent headache compelled [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert to cancel his visit to Bury at the last moment. Approves of the advice given to Smith regarding Cambridge botany professorship and garden. Grieved by Smith's account of Dr [Martin] Davy's mortal illness and recalls others who have died or are dying from cancers of the mouth.

Having spent last 17 of 18 springs in London he "received high gratification" from spending the last one in the country. His son has developed an interest in botany. Intercedes for [William] Travis [(1771-1851)] of Scarborough, who regrets no longer being a FLS and claims to have been struck out by a friend's blunder and is prepared to pay his arrears, vouches for him as "indefatigable in seeking improvement in his medical profession [...] and attends to every branch of natural history" and [James] Sowerby knows him as "a zealous naturalist".

His son bought a book on mineralogy by Aiken, dislikes it much and wishes there was a good manual on it. The Downton and Grange pippins of his new Herefordshire apple trees bore fruit this year; some fruit cracked, as did many of his pears. Foxley crab and Golden Harvey had fine blossom but no fruit. Siberian crab "took beautifully" on espaliers. Has started wearing flannel next to his skin as his son has done so for several years and he does not remember when he last had a cold.

Thanking him for the paper on analysis. Has been to see Sir Joseph Banks. Hopes to see JH soon.