Apologises for not attending to Smith's invitation. Invites Smith to dinner.

Thanks for letter acknowledging receipt of 'Lichen scaber'; sends further specimen of it with a different kind of fructification [extant]

Specimen labelled "'Lichen scaber' with roughish warts H[ugh] D[avies]".

Forwarded Smith's letter to [George] Don. Goodenough wishes Smith would ask Don about how he found the Italian 'Lemium maculatum' in Scottish woods, which he remembers from Kew Gardens; Don is rumoured to have sown foreign seeds and claimed them as native plants. Asks Smith to consider Bishop of Durham's [Shute Barrington] election as honorary member of the Linnean Society. Advises Smith to solicit the Prince Regent to become patron of the Society. Gathered in Bolton woods, near Bolton Abbey, 'Rubus saxatilis', 'Thalictrum majus', 'Thalictrum minus', and 'Polypodium dryopteris'.

Visited his childhood home in Berkshire whilst staying with Mr C Dundas. Raw weather [at Thirkleby] but crops are forward and hay making is already underway and a good crop of backward grapes under glass, though there are no apples and hardly any pears, peaches, or nectarines compared to usual. Discusses strawberries: plans to raise them from seed; wrote to Dundas for some "fine hautboys" which he plans to alternate with pines, "as recommended by the French", though he has failed in the past with hautboys. His fruit trees showing symptoms of age not only for themselves "but my Scotch gardener".

The Prince Regent has agreed to become patron of the Linnean Society; an official letter will follow.

Sorry to hear that Smith is indisposed, especially as it means delaying the visit to Rose Castle. Smith should not be vexed by the bad review in the "Anti-Jacobin".

Encloses a copy of his book "The botanist". Has endeavoured to popularise Linnaeus and botany in America. Relates the difficulties, as first lecturer in natural history in America, of preparing natural history lectures for persons who may not have ever seen any books on the subjects, and justifies the popular tone and inclusion of female botanists. Hopes to be able to send botanical and entomological paintings executed by women. Asks for Smith's critical opinion of his book.

Received Smith's letter; sorry to hear he has been ill. His grief [at death of his daughter, Mariamne Johnes]; support from his faith and friends. Shortly returning home [to Hafod, Cardiganshire].

Points out that several mosses recently published in "English botany" and credited as being sent by [James Townsend] Mackay [(1775-1862), curator of Botanic Garden, Trinity College, Dublin] and [John] Templeton [(1766-1825), father of Irish natural history] are in the large parcel of mosses he sent 3 or 4 years ago.

Encloses rare specimen of 'Op. vulg.' ['Ophioglossum vulgatum'?] from Dublin mountains, found by Dr Ogilbie.

[Spec 27 written in pencil at head of folio]

His grief and wife's grief [at death of their daughter, Mariamne Johnes]; a visit from Smith would do them good; has never seen Hafod in "such beauty". Expects [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841)] on Monday to consult about a monument [for Mariamne].

Thanks Smith for his edition of Linnaeus' "Travels to Lapland"; does not think Linnaeus a strong traveller. [Alexander] Macleay continues "very ill" and is gone to his "native air" for three months.

Has heard from Sir Thomas Frankland that Smith has been ill and hopes it has now improved. Puzzled by [Dawson] Turner's long silence in response to many letters, hopes he is not in ill health. Believes 'Borreri minima' should be renamed 'Borreri nupar' and believes it is a distinct species.

Requests specimen of foliage of 'Ulmus campestris', following Benjamin [Meggot Forster's] sending him Dutch elm, believes may be Willdenow's 'Ulmus suberosa' and remarks that Smith's 'Ulmus suberosa' and 'Ulmus gabra' are often the same. Asks to delay publication of the 'Scrophularia' he sent [James] Sowerby as it was not wild, intends to send new specimen. Asks for specimen of 'Salix glauca'. Postscript that Lord Moira believes it impossible for the Prince Regent to be anything but a patron.

Encloses a moss he takes to be 'Dicranum strumiferum' of "Flora Britannica" [determined by Smith as 'Bartamia fontana'].

Observations on Smith's remarks on 'Hypericum calycinum' in "English botany" and "Linnean Transactions"; does not think it ought to be considered indigenous; reminds Smith of the instance some years ago when it was thought 'Acorus grammineus' had been found growing wild, later found to be false.

[Spec 28 written in pencil at head of folio]

Account of recent travels: visited May Island in the Firth of Forth and Bell Rock Lighthouse [built 1807-1810], "our Scottish Eddystone" [Eddystone Lighthouse, off coast of Devon], and a botanical excursion in Perthshire with James Brown who showed him 'Linnaea borealis'. Observations on specimens of heather sent to Smith, asks if one is 'Andromeda coerulea'. Received 'Epimedium alpinum' from Inverness with "mica about the roots", proof that it is indigenous.

Account of a tour of the Hebrides last summer: sailed round the north of Scotland to the Giants Causeway in Ireland in a month with Dr Barlcay, Mr Oliphant, and [Robert] Stevenson [(1772-1850)], engineer of Bell Rock lighthouse. Encountered nothing notable except in mineralogy, plants included: 'Sison verticillatum', 'Hypericum androsaemum', 'Cotyledon umbilicus', and 'Lythrum salicaria'. Observations on rocks, a bay in Antrim superior to Giants Causeway, the rocks hung with 'Asplenium marinum'. Lewis Isles "sterility itself". A bed of 'Serpentine' on Glass Island, the lighthouse keeper aware of excellency of 'Agrostis alba' as winter feed for his cow but unaware of fiorin grass. Saw Macalister's Cave in Skye with 'Rhodelia rosea' and 'Scolopendrum vulgare' and pretty but "ungrand "stalactites. At Orkney [William Jackson] Hooker and [William] Borrer were asked after by the inhabitants. At Aberdeen intended to see [James] Beattie but arrived just in time for his funeral.

Mr Macnab from Kew "doing wonders" at Edinburgh Botanic Garden but frustrated by lack of funds, the 'Dracaena draco' is to cut over in the autumn unless £40-£50 is found to raise its glass roof so it can survive the winter, wishes the Prince Regent was aware of the situation.

Hopes Smith is better, all in London were surprised to see one so "abstemious" suffering from fever; recalls Mrs Delaney, companion of the old Duchess of Portland, dying of one at 93. The 'Sedum ochroleucum' Smith sent is in good health but of the two carnations only the straw-coloured one produced flowers and the "piquote" one died. Compliments Smith on his handling of engaging the Prince Regent as patron of the Linnean Society; thinks there will be no impediments to Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington] now becoming an honorary member. Hopes Smith's friend [William Fitt] Drake will succeed [in his training for the clergy], and that he will think for himself. Carlisle botanists disappointed Smith is not visiting this year; one of them, Mr Holme of Peterhouse, finds good things. Has given one of his vacant prebends to his second son, Robert, who has married Miss Markdam, and has also preferred several other family members.

Happy to hear of Smith's health, hope he can keep in advance of [Abraham] Rees' "amazing rate" [for "Cyclopedia"]. Declines undertaking publication of "Correspondence of Linnaeus" for present on account of unfavourable times, does not expect Smith would find success with another publisher. Editorial advice should Smith proceed with publication.

Received roots and specimens of Smith's Norfolk elm, which he thinks comes closer to 'glabra'; can get naturalised Dutch elm for "English botany". Believes Lord Moira [Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings (1754-1826)] will not be troublesome concerning the Prince Regent, as he has already agreed to become Linnean Society patron. Benjamin [Forster] adamant that he did not criticise "Flora Britannica"; only lamented delay of fourth volume.

Has been staying at Sir Richard Hoare's, along with Bishop of Salisbury [John Fisher (1748-1825)], his wife, and [John] Constable [(1776-1837) painter], who is patronised by the Bishop and is making views of the area; he is "well acquainted" with Smith having dined at his house in Norwich. Persuaded Bishop to become a FLS. Enquires whether Smith has given up his genus of 'Duchesnea'.

Franked Smith's letter to [Walter] Wade. Amused by Smith's letter stating he is teaching [William Fitt] Drake religion [he had begun training for the clergy], presumes he does not mean Divinity. Debates atonement and "vicarious punishment" as defined by Smith's Unitarian faith and his own. Counsels Smith not to advise Drake and compares the religion of a citizen and of a clergyman.