Discusses university politics. Misses JH. Impressed by [Edward] Bromhead's mathematical abilities. Is considering translating a book by S. F. Lacroix. George Peacock's Tripos examination questions have caused controversy. Believes Peacock should have stressed applied over pure mathematics.

Introduces himself and sends a few specimens from Georgia at the request of John Fraser. Also sends the root of an unknown palm from East Florida with a sample of the starch procured from it, knowledge of which having come from the Seminole Indians. Has an extensive collection of Georgian specimens but is anxious to know which plants are also native to Europe. Refers to a desiderata and requests 'Convolvulus salopa', for reason of it generally being supposed to be Michaux's 'Ipomoea macrorhiza'. From experiments has deduced that 'I. macrorhiza' possesses no purgative qualities and may be eaten like 'C. batatas'.

No longer able to visit Norwich. Sends Mrs [Lucy] Hardcastle's fungi drawings. Felt his "insignificance" when calling on Sir Joseph Banks and [Robert] Brown and finding both busy; will defer joining the Linnean Society until he has something other than zeal to recommend him; asks for botanical book recommendations.

When his lectures have finished he will attend to JH's request regarding the inscription of Dr. G. H. Noehden. Hopes he will attend one of Sir Joseph Banks' Sunday evening gatherings and show the specimens he has given JH; also show them to W. H. Wollaston.

Missed Linnean dinner but concludes [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, [William George] Maton, Edward Forster, [William Horton] Lloyd, [Alexander] Macleay, and [Joseph] Sabine attended. Pities [Thomas] Marsham, though he has behaved so badly that his friends "cannot palliate his behaviour", and understands that Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] is particulaly upset [after Marsham stole funds from the Linnean Society]. Sir Joseph Banks in good health. Attended Linnean Club meeting at British Coffee House, Maton in chair as Lambert unfit to attend, Sabine, Macleay, Forster, [Robert] Brown, [William] Pilkington [(1758-1848)], and [William] Smith attended.

Met Sir Christopher Pegge [(1765-1822)], Oxford professor of anatomy, at Hunterian Museum, he has moved to Upper Grosvenor Street. Frequently sees Dr [William] Webb, Master of Clare Hall. Has not seen Dr [John] Haviland [(1785-1851)], Sir Isaac Pennington's [(1745-1817)] successor [as Cambridge Regius professor of Physic], but thinks him influential for Smith's Cambridge prospects. Duke of Bedford's [John Russell, 6th Duke] "handsome present" to Smith [copy of "Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis"], having consulted Sir Humphry Davy's copy thinks the work "truly worthy of a Duke of Bedford".

Recently stayed with Dr Martineau. Asks if Smith has seen Revd and Mrs Ward, who sent the East India seeds sent on to Lambert for distribution. Bought fourth part of Smith's "Prodromous florae Graecae" and Arabella Rowden's [(1774-1840)] "Poetical Introduction to the Study of Botany", would like to know what is the plant 'Brusenia' she gives as an example of 'Polyandria decagynia' in the latter [Smith has annotated "'Brasenia' Schreb. Gen. p.372"]. Transcribes, in Latin, a reference found in records of the monastery at Bury St Edmunds requesting a herb called "scathery" for the monks to eat with their beans; asks if this was ever a name for parsley.

Thanks for the two letters and the interesting matter they contain. Hopes JH will come when [William?] Clark[e]'s election takes place. Has put JH's name on the Syndics. Will not cease to exert himself in the cause of [mathematical] reform. Vice-Chancellor is against change.

Discusses inscriptions presented to Cambridge University by [Claudius] Bucharman. They are only facsimiles of those given to the Jews at Cochin, written in Hebrew, Arabic and Malabar.

Confirms details for payment of £100 by [Thomas William] Coke for the papers of [Sir Edward] Coke [(1552-1634), lawyer, legal writer, and politician, ancestor of Thomas William Coke]. Thanks for Smith's London invitation but his father's health prevents him from leaving Norfolk all spring. Pleased to hear of an improvement in [William] Roscoe's affairs [following a bankruptcy in 1816].

Comments that whilst the Earl of Leicester [Thomas Coke (1697-1759)] left Holkham "magnificently decorated", Coke is right to make improvements. Duke of Bedford [John Russell, 6th Duke] has done himself honour by presenting a copy of his book ["Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis" (1816)] "to the first botanist in Europe".

Thanks for plants; gazed with "admiration & delight upon the New Holland plants"; frustration at not having met Smith. Waiting to for confirmation of [Jacob] Bigelow's finances before proceeding with Bigelow's admission to Linnean Society; deferring his own admission until he returns to Britain. Discusses the Linnean Society of New England: established 2 years ago; Bigelow the "life & soul of it"; its current goal to collect the "natural curiosities" of USA; Judge Davis the president; honour it would receive if Smith became Honorary Member.

Notices that Smith has admitted 'Ornithogalum [distans]' a British plans. Mrs [Lucy] Hardcastle to copy the branched 'Agaric' for Smith; she also copied 'Iris gracilis' for Smith. Observations on a fungus found in Derby Infirmary, transcribes remarks by surgeon on appearance and habitat. Requests sample of handwriting of Sir Joseph Banks.

Encloses one of E. F. Bromhead's papers. Has collected all his letters relating to functions. Has he a copy of his paper 'Solutions...'? Regarding the properties of curves. His scheme for symmetrizing all functions.

Will go down to Cambridge to vote for William Clarke. Equation problem. Enquiry regarding paper on factorials by [Peter] Nic[h]olson. Regarding errors made by Clarke in his papers.

Sending Smith a parcel containing specimens of the Indian breadroot and first two numbers of [Stephen] Elliott's "Sketch of the botany of South Carolina and Georgia". During his journey from east Florida he met Dr [William] Baldwin, "a very intelligent botanist & indefatigable traveller", who has given him a letter and parcel of specimens to forward to Smith on his return.

Is sending CB all his letters dealing with functional equations. Comments on E. F. Bromhead's paper. Taylor's theorem. Is getting on well with his essay on exponential functions.

On JG's ignorance of mathematics.

Not as ill as he was this time last year. The plant of "lady botanist" [Arabella Rowden], 'Brusenia', should have been 'Brasenia', a genus of Schreber's in "Genera Plantarum" p.372, does not know the plant himself. Cannot find anything on Cullum's herb "scathery" and frustrated by lack of index to [Henry] Lyte's [(1529-1607), botanist] "Herbal", but thinks they may find something at Sir Joseph Banks' in [Thomas] Tusser [(1524-1580)], a favourite book of Banks' ["Five hundred pointes of good Husbandrie" (1580)], and thinks it must be parsley. Holds a great regard for Sir Christopher Pegge [(1765-1822), Oxford professor of anatomy]. Dr and Mrs Ward live too far away for them to call.

His trip to London delayed by an influenza attack but hopes to be there by 5 May [1817]. Proposes Sir Christopher Pegge [(1764-1822), physician] as a Council member. Essential for [Thomas] Marsham to repay more of his debt before Linnean Society anniversary meeting.

[René Louiche] Desfontaines and himself trying to establish the difference between 'Agrostis alba' and 'Agrostis stolonifera'; Smith's description in "Flora Britannica" is the only one that is not confusing. Requests specimens of both, verified by Smith, to determine which grows near Paris.

Ship delayed in sailing [for USA]. Mrs [Lucy] Hardcastle delayed in preparing the drawings she was to send Smith; the parcel will contain dried specimen of a 'Rhizomenpha', on which Dr Forster will write in greater detail. Observations on Cornish plants: 'Ulex europans', 'Viola canina', 'Scalo pendiam', 'Statice arvensis', 'Anthyllis', 'Silene maritima'. Has the parcels for [Jacob] Bigelow and [David] Hosack.

Is returning E. F. Bromhead's paper. Matters are arising from this paper. Encloses one of his own dealing with the notation of functions. When should he set off to Cambridge to vote for William Clarke?

Reports problem publishing JW's music. Relates adventures of churchmen and students at Cambridge.