Thanks for Smith's hospitality in London. Details of his return journey via Huntingdonshire, including Ripton, Huntingdon, and Bury, where he dined with Sir Thomas Cullum and saw 'Holosteum umbellatum' adorning several thatched houses and 'Vicia lathyroides' near the town. At Cambridge saw 'Arabis turrita' on walls of St John's College. Will shortly be at Yarmouth, [Norfolk], from whence he will send [James] Sowerby 'Cinceraria palustris' and 'Convolvulus soldanella'. At Cambridge found [Richard] Relhan "quite crazy"about the "conjuror of Chalgravis" fern, inserted in appendix to "Flora Cantabrigiensis" under name of 'Acidium from Maller's "Systema"; observations including discussion of letter by Sir Joseph Banks on subject.

Urges Smith to contrive a way to visit him at Bungay. Glad Smith met [Dawson] Turner at Yarmouth, [Norfolk]; a "very clever young man [who] will make an excellent botanist"; comments on Lilly Wigg's appearance [(1749-1828), botanist]. Dry weather spoiled the 'Stratiotes' he promised [James] Sowerby. Suffered a strong "fever fit" for several hours last night.

Sends 'Orobanche ramosa' to [James] Sowerby after rediscovering it, only previously figured in "Hortus Romanus". Recovering from fever prevalent in this area. Asks after Smith's activities in East Anglia. Eager to see "Natural History of New Holland". [David Elisha] Davy of Yoxford, [Norfolk], to send Smith specimen of a 'Linum', the same as his 'L. angustifolium' but for Smith to determine whether it is that of Linnaeus'; observations. Sending certificate nominating Davy as a FLS; favoruably compares his botanical skills to those "nomenclators" who memorise names and think it makes them a botanist. Comments on a review in the "Monthly Review" of a work of Smith's and points out errors in review.

Asks if Smith has heard from François [Borone] by the ship just arrived from Sierra Leone; thinks the bad news come from there is from "some warm friend of the slave trade". Notes for Sowerby on drawing the 'Orobanche ramosa'; also sending 'Hieracium umbellatum', 'Epilobium montanum', 'Picris echioides', 'Hedypnois hieracioides' [William] Hudson, 'Achillea ptarmica', all from Bath Hills, and fruit of 'Crataegus torminalis' and 'Rhamnus frangula' of which flowers and foliage sent some time since.

Thanks for "[Botany of] New Holland" and specimens; glad to hear a second fasciculus is printing and a third "Icones [pictae]" will appear. Hopes death of Smith's brother, Richard, was natural, though knowing his situation and "perverseness" had his doubts and fears. Envies Smith his visit to Dr [Nichola] Gwyn in Ipswich, [Suffolk], and Harwich, [Essex]; finding of a 'Mentha' a "very capital discovery", should figure in "English botany", will inform [John] Pitchford, though doubts he will get through his mints. Gave [David Elisha] Davy Smith's specimen of 'Satyrium', as requested, does not grow near Bungay. Glad to see 'Linum tenuifolium'; distinct from their plant and specimens of wild 'L. angustifolium'.

Agrees to [Edmund] Davall's proposal to exchange specimens. Glad to hear of safe return of [Adam] Afzelius and François [Borone]. Has been studying 'Fucus abrotanifolius', 'F. foeniculaceus', and 'F. concatenatus'; detailed observations of each and character descripton of 'F. abrotanifolius'. Heard Smith is visiting Lady Rockingham and other botanical friends before returning to Frogmore [lecturing the Queen and Princesses]. Sends specimen of unknown plant picked at Lowestoft, [Suffolk] [Smith has annotated 'Spergula nodosa'].

Thanks for parcel and "Icones [pictae]"; spirit of the work "seems well kept up". Discusses Linnaeus' classification of 'Fucus foeniculaceus' and 'F. abrotanifolius' in his publications; his and [Samuel] Goodenough's paper on the subject; requests to see the Linnaean specimens. Received message and packet of grass seeds from [Edmund] Davall via Mr Forster, brother of the master of Norwich school. Requests a Sierra Leone penny for Mrs Woodward's collection. Requests Smith's to bring his "Tour" and "Linnean Transactions" vol 2.

List of queries for Smith to resolve if he cannot bring the Linnaean 'Fucus' specimens [annotated "sic in HL" by Smith].

Sorry Smith will not be visiting during his stay in Norfolk, but consoled by promise of summer visit. Laments death of Smith's brother, Richard, "a strong proof, how little great abilities & splendid genius avail, when not under the guidance of judgement, & how dangerous it is for a young man to give away to habits of indolence & inactivity". Admires Smith's "Tour", especially the preface, and thinks they must be "highly entertaining to a general reader", and of special interest to naturalists; problems with the copy; intends to order it in for his book club. Asks after separation of the "Natural History of New Holland" into botany and zoology volumes.

Received letter from [Samuel] Goodenough, who is in "great distress" over a fever at his school which has killed Mr Egereton, only son of Lord [Thomas] Grey de Wilton [1st Earl of Wilton (1749-1814)]; Smith had previously pronounced the boy "short lived". Sends sample of his and Goodenough's paper on 'Fucus'; their plan and comments. Notes on 'Ulva diaphara' of [William] Hudson's he has found.

[In Smith's hand at top of verso of first folio] Notes on 'Fucus capreolatus' Banks Herbarium being 'F. pinnatus' of Hudson.

Read Smith's "Tour"; never met with a book of the kind "so interesting & entertaining"; agreed with all of Smith's politics and has never seen the liberal passage of vol 3 p.145 [on "power combined with cruelty"] exceeded by any author. Examined punctuation of "Hortus Kewensis" and compared it with "Philosophia botanica", with which it "accurately agrees", but cannot approve it as it is contrary to all other authors and rules of punctuation, and cannot understand for what reason Linnaeus would invert the order of the comma and colon. Requests Sierra Leone coins.

Reassures Smith that he reads all of his works. A "moderate person" could not find fault with politics of Smith's "Tour"; surprised at [Thomas] Marsham's violent criticism. Relieved to hear of [Samuel] Goodenough from Smith; their work together on 'Fucus'. Received a proposal for publishing a "Life of Linnaeus", to be dedicated to Linnean Society and written by [Joseph] Trapp; his concerns. Asks Smith to procure Sierra Leone coins from [Adam] Afzelius. Received call from Smith's brother, John.

Reread Smith's "Tour"; his criticisms, intended for use in a second edition. Picks out particular points for praise over two pages, remaining two pages contain corrections, additions, and substitutions.

Smith's "Tour" "highly spoken of" in both the "Analytical Review" and "British Critic Review", the former speaking more advantageously of it, his comment that an attack on [Samuel] Johnson [(1709-1784), writer] and [Edmund] Burke [(1730-1797), politician] would be considered "little short of treason" is true. Requests Smith and [Samuel] Goodenough to examine 'Fucus elongatus' Linnaeus, for their paper on the genus; his own observations. Sent Goodenough probable specimen of 'Fucus corallinus' of "Flora Danica", though he believes it is a variety of 'F. parpucascens'.

Concerned at fate of letters he sent to Smith and [Samuel] Goodenough under direction of [Thomas] Marsham. Received from [Lilly] Wigg [(1749-1828), botanist] a curious new 'Ulva' from the Mediterranean, like 'Fucus lorens'.

Heard that Smith was at [Nicholas Gwyn's] in Ipswich, [Suffolk], before coming to Norwich for his lectures. Glad Smith's lectures are likely to be "handsomely attended". Keen to see [James] Crowe's 'Cerastium'; Smith justly observes it cannot be a hybrid of 'C. aquaticum' and 'Stellaria nemorum'. Unable to send [James] Sowerby 'Trifolium suffocatum' or ['Potamogeton compressus'] again. Sends specimen from Mr Burroughs of Stratton of new 'Vicia' gathered at Alderburgh, [Suffolk], though he thinks it 'V. lutea'; observations. Notes on the 'Ulva' he will bring Smith; wants to reform the genus. Thinks he has 'Mentha exigua' Linnaeus growing in his garden from root of 'M. pulegium' [Smith has annotated "not so JES"].

Thanks for Smith's permission to consult the Linnaean herbarium in his absence, which he will use to examine 'Fucus' specimens. Reassures Smith he will be too busy for any "gallantry" with the maids, who were not chosen, "as single men's maids sometimes are for their superior beauty". Sends paper he has drawn up on genus 'Ulva', including description of new species 'U. decorticata', for Smith's opinion; notes on its contents.

As Smith now a "great collector of coins" asks him to acquire Sheffield coins from Dr [William] Younge. If Smith's brother goes to America wishes him success; discusses coins from the north of England. Asks after Smith's publications "[Specimen of the botany of ] New Holland", "Spicilegium botanicum", and "Flora Britannica". Asks if he could acquire remaining Bulliard plates ["Histoire des champignons"] through [Edmund] Davall. Asks after specimen of 'Atriplex laciniata'. Mr Windham requests visit from Smith.

Thanks for use of Smith's house and library. He and Dr [William] Younge went to Drury Lane and saw "Ladoisha", "the most extraordinary piece of machinery" he ever saw on any stage. Visited [William] Withering in Birmingham; his house and its environs; Withering's precarious health, suffering violent attacks to this lungs and spitting blood; if he survives the winter interested by Dr [Thomas] Beddoes' [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] "aerial process"; coins.

Has left specimen of 'Bromus diandrus' and seeds and specimen of Portuguese grass, since found to be 'Andropogon hirtum', from Withering. Notes from his study of the Linnaean 'Fucus' specimens; made some pencil notes on the different species. Thanks Smith's servants.

Queries on his 'Ulva' paper for Smith to resolve. Arrangements for visit by [James] Sowerby and commissions for drawing 'Fucus' species. Received [Samuel] Goodenough's articles for their paper on 'Fucus', which he generally praises, except that his Latin can run into the "oratorical style"; further notes on composition and contents of their paper. Can acquire coins for Smith. Asks if plan respecting Smith's brother, John, [to emigrate to America] is arranged, after seeing report that some people of large fortune who emigrated from Birmingham have been taken prisoner by a French frigate during their passage.

Returns final revision of his 'Ulva' paper; notes on additions, composition, and contents, including figures. [William] Withering informs him that 'Tamarisca gallica' grows plentifully in the hedges at Lizard Point, Cornwall.

Sends new Bungay halfpenny for Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)] Keen to know fate of his paper on 'Ulva', and whether Smith thinks 'Fucus foeniculaceus' of Linnaean herbarium is really 'F. concatenatus' of the British authors, and 'F. concatenatus' of the herbarium is a different plant.

Has opened a correspondence with [John] Stackhouse, who intends to publish on marine plants; transcribes a postscript from one of Stackhouse's letters in which he offers to the Linnean Society a specimen and description of new 'Ulva' found at Weymouth, [Devon]; desires to become FLS. Observations on Stackhouse's new 'Ulva punctata'. Stackhouse's anxiety that his [Woodward] and Goodenough's work will supersede his own. Strongly recommends admitting Stackhouse to Linnean Society. Received drawing and description of 'Fucus tomentosa' for his and Goodenough's paper on 'Fucus'.

Mail coaches to Bungay. Enjoyed last number of "[Botany of] New Holland", particularly 'Eucalyptus' for curious construction of its flowers, and 'Styphelia', Mrs Woodward says the 'Mimosa' are "ugly". Asks for most recent copy of "Zoology [of New Holland]". Acquisition of coins. [John] Stackhouse to lend him a parcel of 'Fucus' specimens; Stackhouse's and [Thomas] Velley's publications. [Samuel] Goodenough has sketched a preface for their paper on 'Fucus' but he is "too speculative" in parts of his theory; notes on contents of the paper.

Fears Smith's father's illness is a "symptom of a breaking constitution". Smith's "Flora [Britannica]" "much looked for". Distress of the poor during this severe frost. Transcribes epigrams from Bacon's halfpence.

Condolences on death of Smith's father; recounts the news he received of it. Surprised at Norwich paper listing his age as 68, having supposed him to be 62 or 63. Smith's family will receive consolation from the "uninterrupted harmony" that has always existed between them, and "their love & affection for each other". Glad Smith's health has been better since arrival at Norwich, [Norfolk]. Unsure whether Smith intends to publish the 'Ulva diaphana' in "English botany" or "Linnean Transactions". Corrections to make to his paper on 'Ulva' and additional notes. Condolences on death of François [Borone].

Sorry he is not visiting Norwich whilst Smith is there. His old disorder recurred again, moving between his stomach, ankle and foot, and intestines, leading him and his doctor to think it a "vague & unfixed gout". Sends specimens for [Samuel] Goodenough, and parcel of Bury halfpences for Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)].

Received from [John] Stackhouse manuscript account of several 'Fucus' species, "extremely well" drawn up in English & Latin; expects it to print in May. Also has specimen Stackhouse's 'Ulva punctata' for Linnean Society. [William] Withering's and his own opinion of Stackhouse's abilities. Hopes Smith is recovering from death of his father.