Working with Johann Wilhem Meigen [(1764-1845), German entomologist] on 'Diptera' [flies] and updating his 1804 work ["Die Fliegen"], correcting the Fabrician synonymy by comparing against the collections of [Johan Christian] Fabricius. Asks for Smith's assistance by facilitating comparison with Linnaean collections, by either specimens or drawings and descriptions. Proposes [William Elford] Leach as an alternative.

[On separate folio] List of dubious species.

Informs Smith he will be at Spring Grove, Isleworth, Middlesex, for a while and encloses £6 for supply of turkeys.

Read Smith's dissertation on the present systems and state of botany with great pleasure and agrees with all his opinions; compliments the content and the style. He is still interested in debate over natural and artificial systems; wishes that Smith had written in in defence of Linnaeus in "Linnean Transactions". Smith's plant specimens [for Liverpool Botanic Garden] arrived in excellent condition and at a "very reasonable a price"; directions for Smith's payment. Wrote to [Thomas William] Coke on the spread of "the diabolical spirit" in the people of Norwich to "classes far above the mob", but certain that common sense will prevail. Concerned by Smith's report on Lord [Thomas, 1st Viscount Anson (1769-1818)] and Lady [Anne Margaret (1779-1843)] Anson. Mrs [Catherine] Lambert has given birth to a daughter and is in good health.

Establishing [Liverpool Royal] Institution at Liverpool for "education & lectures on a large scale embracing the whole circle of literature, science & the arts", with a proposed capital of £30,000, to which £22,000 is already subscribed, and a building with lecture, school, and exhibition rooms has been prepared, at cost of £10,000. He is to give an introductory lecture followed by courses by Dr [Thomas Stewart] Traill [(1781-1862), physician] and Dr Gose. Solicits Smith's future interest to hold a botanical course, though the financial incentive will not be great; proposed financing of lecture courses.

Sending books from Mr Targioni. Has collected every kind of 'Cryptogam' in the area. Purchased a collection of Lichens from Schleicher of Bex, recommends him as a source for specimens, is much advanced in his drawings to illustrate [Erik] Acharius. Botany in Florence is respectable but not encouraged. The Grand Duke has a botanic garden but the best plants were removed to a botanic garden at Orto Frisco run by Targioni for agricultural experiments. Praises Targioni, has been able to examine the garden's lichens in Micheli's collection. Botanical lectures are given in the garden and at the Academy of the Georgople. Mr Radi, head of the Royal Museum, recently discovered a new moss, 'Fabronia pusilla', [Olof] Swartz has found a species of the same genus. Targioni plans to publish account of the 'Jungermanniae' of the country on a new system. Wishes to engage him on a "pocket "Flora Toscana" to encourage interest in botany, "the nobles are not rich enough to purchase science, nor wise enough to esteem it". [Gaetano] Savi in Pisa is working on a "Flora Etrusca".

When crossing Mount Cenis found 'Cetraria cuculata' as mentioned in Smith's "Tour". Comments on the great number of English in Florence in the winter, believes it not a good place for delicate constitutions at that time of year due to the dampness, an epidemic of typhus. Thanks Smith for his letters of introduction: at Geneva met Mr Piclet, Messrs Jurine and Morricand, at Turin Professor [Giovanni ?] Biroli [(1772-1825) Italian botanist], at Milan [Barnaba] Oriani, Mr Herman and Mr Breislach the mineralogist. Sent Smith's letter to Ippolito Durazzo, whose sister is in Florence married to the Sardinian minister Brignoli.

Asks if Smith can procure a copy of the "Parody of the Nicene Creed" written during period the French Revolution and lately reprinted at Norwich, as the suspension of the Habeas Corpus act is about to be discussed in the House of Lords and the report from their committee relies upon "the mischief that has been done by blasphemous publications".

Has dedicated his history of botany to Smith ["Anleitung zum grundlichen Studium der Botanik"]. He has written it as an up to date version of [Kurt] Sprengel's similar work, but in German rather than Latin. [Johann Jacob] Römer [(1763-1819), Swiss physician and botanist] to send Smith first volume of their new edition of Linnaeus' "Systema vegetabilium"; remarks on the increase in sheets needed to take in new discoveries and explains some of the plan. Has been asked to translate Smith's "Introduction to Physiological and Systematical Botany"; asks if there any remarks he would like to add. Offers to send alpine seeds.

Account of the 'Lycoperdon tuber' of [John] Clayton [(1686-1773) plant collector in Virginia], being the 'Lycoperdon cervinum' of [Thomas] Walter [(c 1740-1789) American botanist] and species of 'Sclerotium' of [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon, a subterranean fungus found in several southern states of North America, written in response to its general omission from publications, including [Friedrich Traugott] Pursh's "Flora Americana". Acknowledges Dr James Macbride of South Carolina as providing most of the information. Has sent specimens.

Separate note: "Psorex? A non descript species of mus, - see Bartram "Travels Through North and South Carolina, Georgia etc." Philadelphia 1791" [unclear what this relates to].

Introduces Theodore Lyman of Boston, Massachusetts, who is coming to Europe for second time to meet "the most distinguished literary characters". Encloses account of the "great 'Lycoperdon' of South Carolina" from information given by James Macbride, who is now a FMLS. Hosack's pupils are collecting the plants of New York, an account is being prepared which will be sent to Smith or Linnean Society.

Offers a copy of "Hortus gramineus Woburnensis" to the Linnean Society.

Expressed his sentiments on renewal of the Suspension Bills [in House of Lords] last night, and in commenting on the evidence explained the circumstances of the parody on the Nicene Creed without mentioning names; Lord Sidmouth [Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757-1844), Home Secretary 1812-1822] denied ever having seen or heard of the publication but if it can be ascertained that it was sent to him it will be of "some importance".

Finally decided that Smith has no claim under the estate of White, Cochrane & Co [publishers] farther than the payments already made by the agreement of "Flora Britannica". The present proprietors of "Flora Britannica" have no objection to corresponding with Smith about completion of the work.

Account: Smith to estate of White Cochrane & Co.

Apologises for long silence since he saw Smith last summer; thanks for the honorable treatment given to his son [Karl Heinrich Mertens] and compliments Lady Smith.

Sending box of plants for Smith's opinion, numbered list of contents with his own observations, including: 'Lotus decumbens' or 'L. debilis', 'Cnicus heteroclitus' or 'C. elegans', 'Verbascum virgatum', a 'Malva', and others.

Disappointed not to see Smith at Norwich, [Norfolk], and of making further acquaintance following their meeting at Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]. Shortly leaving for Europe, his itinerary; requests introductions. Forwards letter from [David] Hosack.

Proposes to visit Smith at Norwich, [Norfolk], before leaving for Gottingen, [Sweden].

Gives Smith permission to alter or omit any expressions in his paper that may offend [Patrick] Keith [(1769-1840)], even though Keith has been repeatedly aggressive. Believes that the issue is with the Linnean Society council as that Keith's paper was "wholly undeserving of any attention" and should not have been printed in "Linnean Transactions". Threatens to publish the paper himself if the Linnean Society does not.

[Keith had criticised Knight in a paper published in "Linnean Transactions", see RelatedMaterial below]

Sends specimens and grain of a curious species of wild wheat found near Rome, Oneida County, New York, gives a brief description of it and relates how it resists the destructive effects of winter frosts that destroys common wheat, comparing it to rye. Questions whether it is indigenous or originally imported wheat accidently introduced, leans towards the former, with reservations, and gives his reasons, remarking on Linnaeus' six species of 'Triticum', Ceres, Roman goddess of agriculture, and 'Froment tremais'. Is of the opinion that many American native plants have been improperly considered naturalised, is confident in naming the Rome wheat 'Triticum americanum'. Also sends specimens of Wild Rye which grows in parts of the country bordering the upper parts of the Mohawk River, would like an opinion. Beneath Clinton's signature is written "David Hosack M.D." Smith has annotated on the first page "Mr Lambert is making observations on this subject".

["Copied" is marked in pencil on last page, and in a different hand "culmiferous"]

Sends his book ["A practical introduction to botany" (1817)], which he has found useful "in instructing a female relative".

Thanks for Smith's letter; glad Smith determined 'Lotus angustifolius', which was his original name for it, has cultivated it for years. Discusses 'Cnicus heteroclitus'; small sketch in ink of root. Lists desiderata taken from "Flora Britannica" of plants he would like to cultivate.

Will assist Smith's nephew, Edward Smith, any way he can, though business currently slow. Studying 'Rubus', list of species he has found here.