Approves of Pleasance's arrangements as to the cook, Betty Laws; a joke about her size confounding Bonaparte's invasion plans. Account of his journey from London to Liverpool, via Northampton, Lichfield, Stafford, and Chester. On arrival in Liverpool received by his old friend Thomas Taylor, where he is staying, with Taylor's nephew, Meadows. Refreshing air of Liverpool. Delighted with [William] Roscoe; opinion of his person and character. Promised 100 subscribers to his lectures, paying 2 guineas each; after journey expects to clear £180. Has spent £70 on books of [Edmund] Davall; his library sold "very cheap"; lists books purchased. Leaves it to Pleasance to decide on being godmother to "little Wilkinson", though he dislikes "such ties". [John] Koster, a friend of Correa's, thinks the war ill-judged, and that Correa was made insane by his persecutors in Lisbon. His lectures.

Account of his Liverpool "adventures". Visited the Octagon Chapel, named after their own in Norwich; dined with [William] Roscoe at Allerton [Roscoe's home, near Liverpool], description of house, grounds, and family; visit to Dr Brandreth; visit to Mr Blundell and his Italian collections; dined with Dr Currie.

His lectures: has given two so far, attended by "all the beauty & fashion of the place, as well as by the learned"; William, [Smith's brother], surprised by his oratory, as he never aims at more than "plainness"; finances. Visiting [John] Koster, who was Consul at Lisbon, and was a great friend to Correa and Broussonet in their distresses; convinced the current war is "nearly certain ruin". His mother and Sarah happy at Blackheath.

During his journey to London a horse fell under the carriage and they were forced to walk to Newmarket, [Cambridgeshire], rest of journey uneventful but became unwell on reaching London. Called on Sir Thomas Frankland, Mrs [Amelia] Opie [(1769-1853), author], and Sir Joseph Banks', where he saw [Richard] Salisbury, Mr Westall, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, the Pattersons, and [Sir Abraham and Amelia] Hume. Cold weather more suited to him in London than warm. Account of visit to Somerset House [home of the Royal Society], with Prince of Wales [George IV (1762-1830)] in attendance.

[Letter incomplete: part of first folio cropped, and fragment of second folio appended to recto of first]

He has consulted Dr Pictairn about his condition, who says they are the usual consequence of erysipelas. His meetings and entertainments in London: he, William, and the Kindersleys [Smith's cousins] dined at Mrs Munro's, wife of his old Edinburgh friend, at Blackheath, [Kent]; time in Greenwich; went to Lee's; a concert at William Smith's; chatted with Lord [Charles] Stanhope [3rd Earl Stanhope (1753-1816) about politics; William Smith took him to meet [Charles James] Fox [(1749-1806), politician], now has an open invitation to St Anne's Hill, [Surrey, Fox's home]. Has made "bold push" for £100 for his Royal Institution lectures next year. Rudeness of Mrs Marsham. Sixty diners at Linnean Society anniversary meeting.

His lectures ended on 4 June; the last very well attended and applauded, even though it was entirely without preparation. His time here with Sir William and Lady East; her liver complaint. They are to visit the Marquis of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill]. [Thomas] Velley killed on Sunday at Reading by jumping from an out of control coach; if he had stayed seated he would have lived. Norwich paving bill past in House of Lords, with opposition.

His lectures have not lost any credit and he has been engaged again for next spring. Resolved to publish an "introductory book" on botany before next spring; fears Mrs [Jane] Barrington will not live to receive the dedication. Happy Dr [Henry] Reeve is to settle in Norwich. William with him [Smith's brother?].

Recent meetings and dinners, including with: Mrs Weddell and Mr and Mrs Marsden at C Scott's; Sir Abraham Hume; the David Martineaus; Mr and Mrs Hanbury, G Kett and his wife, two of the Hoares, some Barclays, and Mr Carlisle at Mr Barclay's; William Smith; R Westall's; Edward Forster; C Weston and Revd J Ives; Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North], best of all his bishop friends, and his "amiable though unhappily deformed daughter". Received Red Sea shells and bottle of true Balsam of Mecca or Balm of Gilead from Lord Valentia [George Annesley]; a party at Valentia's; Valentia's odious enemy Gawler looked on much like [Richard] Salisbury; Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington] says Salisbury has no chance of getting either the Roxburgh estate or title he is trying for.

Future visits to see Lord Elgin's "fine statues" brought from Athens; Mr Vere's garden at Kensington; Mr Cure; and Thomas Forster. Letter from Fanny [Smith's sister] expresses their highest satisfaction for Smith's letter on Salisbury, to which all concur. [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden], the gardener, has lost his only son to a fever in Jamaica. Intends to go to Liverpool after return to Norwich. Thinks report in May issue of "Monthly Magazine" "very handsome & amicable" to himself and "very severe" on Salisbury.

[Letter incomplete: last lines of second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Accouunt of a dinner at William Smith's. Attending Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Lord Valentia [George Annesley] has given him many new shells. His future plans, including visits to Blackheath, and giving 6 more lectures, ending on 14 June.

Account of Linnean Society anniversary meeting; [Richard] Salisbury and others did not vote; the dinner attended by 63 people, the largest number yet, including Bishops of Winchester and Carlisle [respectively Brownlow North and Samuel Goodenough], Lord Valentia [George Annesley], Sir Abraham Hume, Sir Thomas Gage, and [John] Symmons. A toast was made to him by Valentia, stating that whatever the Linnean Society is or has been is owed to Smith, and he presented Goodenough and [Thomas] Marsham as being with him the first 3 projectors of the Society.

Visited Sir Joseph Banks this morning and was discussing botany with [Jonas] Dryander and [Robert] Brown when Salisbury entered; his "Paradisus [Londinensis]" stopped for want of money, though Banks gave Hooker £50; spoke civilly to Salisbury at Linnean Society about a 'Narcissus' that was there; Salisbury looks thin and pale, and Brown "cannot abide him". Thinks his and [James] Sowerby's new work will proceed; details. His "Introduction [to Botany]" praised by all the people he most depends on. Attended opera with [James] Crowe and family. Future visits to Blackheath and Kew; [William Townsend] Aiton was at the dinner.

Letter scented with balm of Gilad.

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.