Hopes Smith has received last parcel he sent by way of Yarmouth, [Norfolk]; it included most recent "Acta" from their Academy of Sciences. Glad to hear from [William Jackson] Hooker of Smith's good health; his own health is good. Relief and some trepidation at recent turn in political events [probably in reference to Sweden's defeat in Finnish War and Pomeranian War]. Keen to see ninth volume of "Linnean Transactions" and the papers on cryptogams, as they will be an addition to the "opsculi" he is working on, and which he believes is his last.

His friend, [Goran] Wahlenberg [(1780-1851), botanist], has almost finished his "Flora Lapponica"; remarks on increase in species.

His health: consulted Dr Baillie and [William George] Maton, who both confirm his ideas; Maton says that none of the College preparations of antimony are as good as James's powder. He has two patients: Sophia Goodenough and his aunt Kindersley, the latter very weak and incapable of recovery. His trip to Cambridge to see William [Fitt Drake]; meetings and dinners. His time in London; meetings and dinners. William Smith and resignation of the Duke of York [Prince Frederick (1763-1827), son of George III, resigned as Commander-in-Chief following scandal caused by mistress selling army commissions]. Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] made a vice-president of the Royal Society. Lady Amelia Hume suffering epileptic fits.

Discusses problem of the ellipse and offers a method of solving it. States the proper boundary of a front mirror is too difficult to ascertain. Still having problems with teaching.

Thanks for Smith's "delightful letter" of 11 March [1809] and Smith's sentiments concerning his fiancée. Pleased Smith was satisfied with the review of Smith's "Introduction to Botany" by his friend, [Henry] Steinhauer, who is now reviewing Parkinson's "Organic remains of a former world". Offers to translate review of the "Introduction" in Schrader's journal.

Recently found 'Galanthus nivalis' and 'Viola adorata' but no 'Anemone' or 'Ranunculus' has yet flowered with them. Remarks on various genera, including: 'Geranium', 'Erica', 'Smithia'. Asks if Smith ever received White's paper he sent on "Inflammation of the liver". Friends he has made through study of botany. Dispute with Sprengel over 'Aster salignus', which Sprengel sent as 'Boltonia salicifolia'; Sprengel's eccentricities regarding access to the Halle botanic garden.

He and his friends have proposed establishing a circulating library here, in spite of the narrow-mindedness of the locals, citing example of parents who were anxious at his teaching their children geography.

Still waiting to hear Smith's opinion on those plants he sent himself and via [Charles] Lyell. Numbered observations on enclosed mosses he previously sent to [Dawson] Turner, also without response: 2. [sic] a 'Grimmia', would like to name it after W Symonds, who died in Barbados; 3. a 'Grimmia', proposes name 'G. alpina' or 'G. nivalis'; 4. a 'Hypnum'; 5. another 'Hypnum'.

Numbered observations on enclosed plants: 1. 'Potentilla tridentata' [Smith annotation: "right"]; 2. 'Lychnis alpina' [Smith annotation: "right"]; 3. 'Ranunculus alpestris' [Smith annotation: "right"]; 4. a 'Silene' resembling 'S. alpestris' [Smith annotation: "the 'Silene' will be sent in my next"] ; 5. a 'Crepis' [Smith annotation: "'pulcra' HL"]; 6. 'Cochlearia groenlandica' [Smith annotation: "right HL"]; 7. the true 'Erigeron uniflorum' [Smith annotation: "right!"]; 8. a 'Saxifraga' cultivated for 2 years in strong, rich, wet soil [Smith annotation: "new, the 2 darkest specimens green specimens is cultivated in the wet soil!"]; 9. a 'Cerastium' [Smith annotation: "'Stellaria cerastoides'"]; 10. 'Fontinalis pennata' of Linnaeus [Smith annotation: "'Neckera pumila'"].

Enquires after specimens he sent some years ago as 'Spergula maxima' and 'S. arvensis' [Smith annotation: "both 'arvensis'"].

Two small specimens, labelled "2".

Cured his rheumatism, which had assumed the form of sciatica by applying a plaster of laurel leaves ('Prunus laurocerasus'). Asks Smith to not spend too much time determining the 'Salix' specimens he sent and makes some of his own observations on them.

No summary available.

He and a friend have resolved to establish a botanic garden here; requests exotic seeds from Smith. Intends to visit the Liverpool botanic garden. Offers to translate review of Smith's "Introduction to Botany" in Schrader's journal. Asks after possibility of procuring Willdenow's edition of Linnaeus' "Species plantarum".

Did not receive Smith's letter asking him to attend the Carrow Bridge Bill [in the House of Commons] until it was too late [this was a contentious scheme to build a bridge over the River Wensum at Carrow Abbey, near Norwich, for which an Act of Parliament was passed on 31 May 1809]. Apologises for being a "lazy and unprofitable associate of the Linnean Society". Has conclusively proved that 'Picus medius' is not a species and is only the young of 'Picus major'.

Received Smith's letter of 8 April [1808]. His military duties prevent him from pursuing his natural history interests; does not expect to stay in India for any longer than two years after hopefully taking command of the Artillery-in-the-Field, based at Cawnpore. Thanks for Smith's "Physiology and System of Botany"; believes it will prove a valuable and useful work. [William] Roxburgh working on his book; his arranging of 'Monandria' given extra impetus by [William] Roscoe's paper on same in "Linnean Transactions" vol 8.

Mr Fleming unlikely to leave India this year. Expects [Francis] Buchanan to make considerable additions to ichtyology and ornithology. Hopes Smith's family recovered from their sickness. Criticises the "marauders in the field of science". Compliments to Sir Joseph Banks, [Thomas] Marsham, [Alexander] Macleay, and [William George] Maton. Encloses memoranda from Dr [William] Hunter [see RelatedMaterial below].

Arrangements for the Smiths visit to them in Clapton in a week.

Sending two copies of his Botanic pamphlets and some of the plates of Cupani's "Panphyton siculum", touched up by Bonanno. Invites Smith to contribute to the "Sicilian Flora". Refrained from sending specimens as they would have been accompanied by a request for "elucidation". Asks whether the fourth volume of "Flora Britannica" has been published yet.

Received Smith's letter of 24 [April]. An Aberystwyth surgeon has used "cuperose" with great effect to cure a young man's epileptic fits, and will write to him if Lady Amelia Hume wants the medicine. "Great loss" in death of [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician]. Returns Smith's manuscript and has made only minor corrections, offers plan of the present house [for Smith's "A tour to Hafod" (1810)].

Complains of the "miserable criticism" the "Edinburgh [Review]" of his [Jean de] Joinville [(1224-1317), French chronicler] translation; suspects it was "fabricated here by an ancient supposed friend". Laments "change in men's minds in last year", "they all seem unhinged" and they have "no heads and no leaders".

He has been collecting the palmated 'Saxifraga' for some years, and has cultivated them in every soil and situation to determine to settle which are species and which are varities, will send specimens of all those he thinks species.

Encloses specimens of 1. 'Saxifraga' from Angushire that may be two species or two varities [Smith annotation: "'pedatifida' Ehrhart"], observations; 2. 'Lamium' he sent last year [Smith annotation: "pray send seeds"]; 3. '[Lychnis] alpina' [Smith annotation: "HL"]; 4. a 'Juncus' distinct from common species [Smith annotation: "no"]. Observations on the 'Lamium'. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Encloses specimens: possible new 'Saxifraga', observations; 'Euphorbia hibernica' in flowering spring state, Smith's "English botany" figure does not entirely accord with the Irish plant; a 'Juncus' from County Whiclow that grows to 7 or 8 feet high.

Asks if the Irish 'Arbutus unedo' is to ever appear in "English botany"; wishes he was a curator, as gentlemen's gardeners call themselves, so that he might have better interest with [James] Sowerby. Does not think the 'Hypericum calycinum' of "English botany" is indigenous to Ireland, [James Townsend] Mackay [(1775-1862), curator of Botanic Garden, Trinity College, Dublin] concurs; fears many such mistakes occur. Asks if Smith's new edition of "Introduction to Botany" contains new additions.

Asks if his bundle of Irish mosses is still unexplored, noticing that many are in "English botany" without mention of himself. 'Gnaphalium margaritaceum' common to Ireland.

Encloses plant specimens, thinks most are new. Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. new 'Ranunculus' proposed name 'R. macrophizus' [Smith annotation: "same as D Turner's from Snowdon, acris?"]; 2. new 'Saxifraga' [Smith annotation: "same brought by [Turner] from Snowdon -new -petals round"]; 3. new 'Potentilla' [Smith annotation: "surely a variety of 'aurea'"]; 4. new 'Grimmia'. Has also enclosed specimen of 'Potentilla aurea' of "English botany" [Smith annotation: "new probably"]. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Encloses further plant specimens, some of which he believes are new to Britain. Numbered observations on enclosed plants: 1. 'Glechoma', possibly 'G. hirsuta' [Smith annotation: "var[iet]y of 'hederacea' with abortive anthers?"]; 2. 'Saxifraga' he thought a hybrid between 'S. hypnoides' and 'S. geranoides' [Smith annotation: "'pedatifida'?"]; 3. 'Saxifraga' previously sent on 3 April 1807; 4. possible 'Viola uniflora' [Smith annotation: "'lactea' var."]; 5. possible 'Viola pumila' [Smith annotation: "Mr Crowe's little shrubby violet?"]; 6. 'Viola' from Ben Lawers distinct from 'V. trivalis'; 7. possible 'Sirapus alba' [Smith annotation: "I think so"]. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Circumstances of a "cruel war" cuts him off from Smith's "fortunate homeland, fair and free cradle of the liberal arts". Sends through the Stockholm Academy [of Sciences] his new edition of a work by "the divine Linnaeus" [probably fourth edition of "Philosophia botanica"], which he has dedicated to the Linnean Society. Nothing "more fervently desired by all good men and scholars than the resumption of trade with England"; keen to receive the latest additions to [John] Sibthorp's work edited by Smith ["Flora Graeca"].

Introduces himself to Smith on strength of his belief that all naturalists in the world should be in communication and promote their studies by exchanging materials and observations. He and Bivona both desire to establish a correspondence with Smith. Sends a fasciculus of his of 16 Sicilian plants [extant]. Publishing a work on new Sicilian genera and species, principally fish, zoophytes, and marine plants; will send copies to Smith and Linnean Society and sends plates of fish now [extant].

Requests to be proposed a FMLS or corresponding member. They intend to institute a Sicilian Linnean Society, modelled on the British one. Lists papers he would like published in England. Sending north American and Sicilian plants for comparison with Linnaean specimens, including 'Euphorbia myrsinites'.

"Fasciculus of 16 Sicilian plants", list of plants that will appear in the work [1 p].

Plates of 21 fish, uncoloured [7 pp].

No summary available.