Of poetry, usury laws, and the assizes [letter completed 1817-5-24].

Pleased by addition Smith has made to the [Liverpool Botanic Garden] herbarium. A Botanic Garden in Glasgow is on the verge of being established, with a public subscription of £4000 to be raised, to which the College has given £2000; delighted by spread of botanic gardens to large towns and considers possibility of same in Norwich. Thanks for gift of Smith's "Compendium [florae Britannicae]"; keen to see his "historical & critical" article in [Rees'] "Encyclopedia".

[Robert] Southey [(1774-1843), poet and reviewer] is a "miserable figure" and unsure whether his letter to [William] Smith "excites more pity or disgust" [after Smith made critical remarks on Southey's youthful play "Wat Tyler", which had just been published against his will]; the world "too indulgent" of "these converts who play tricks with their personal identity"; praises Smith's rebuke. His daughter Jane fully recovered.

Forwarded Smith's letter to Mr Napier. Pleased Smith will be at Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Hears from [Alexander] MacLeay that [Thomas] Marsham is unwell; hopes this is not a ruse to avoid payment of the money Marsham owes the Society. Smith's information about [Edward] Rudge "without a shadow of foundation".

Has been to Cambridge. Regarding JH's paper dealing with notation. Has been working on his history of functions.

Will see him in London. Is getting on with his supplement. Has seen CB's latest paper in the R.S.P.T. Regarding Mr. Hirsch's theories on equations.

Thanks for Smith's letter and his notice of her drawings of 'Fungi'. Hopes Smith will visit her if he comes to Derby, or [Francis] Boott if Matlock, [Derbuyshire]. Forwards further drawing of a 'Rhizomorpha' and section of the reservoir in which it was found growing by Mr Bainbrigge of the Infirmary. Apologises for not previously sending drawing.

Resigning as FLS to reduce his expenses as his professional situation [Dean of Chester] causes him to subscribe to many charitable institutions.

No summary available.

Schedules time in London next week to cast two mirrors for 20-foot telescope. Details of mixture to be used for mirrors. Questions about casting process. Tells JH to consult 'Messr. Devey' for answers. Plans to visit Greenwich soon. Hand tremor makes writing difficult. Received letter from [Ragreneau?] inviting Herschel family to breakfast tomorrow.

Come on Friday to meet E. F. Bromhead and discuss notation.

Rejoices at the prospect of seeing JH on 10 June, the day of the election. Many supporters of William Clark may be absent. Has been unwell himself lately. Hears nothing about JH's Algebra. [Richard?] Harraden is difficult to move. Tell Charles Babbage an anonymous donor has given £20,000 to Peterhouse.

Annoyed that the second edition of his "Nereis Britannica" was not presented to the Linnean Society, generally dissatisfied with the work but hopes it may inspire others. Surprised by [Dawson] Turner's abrupt conclusion to the "Hist. Fucorum". Received Lamoureux's essay on "Thalapiophytes", a complete arrangement of sea plants by order, published in "Annals du Museum National". Offers to send it to Smith as he believes that with the section on 'Filicus' in the last edition of Gmelin's "Systema [naturae]" it will simplify Smith's work for his "Flora". Has copies to sell of Lamoureux's "Histoire des Polypiers Coralligenus flexibles".

Has only just returned to the University. Not known at what time the election will take place. Has made inquiries about the bricks; they were given to the College by Sir J. Malcolm. Will get them copied. Just about to write to Charles Babbage who is coming down to take his degree.

Encloses certificate that Charles Babbage sent him, with the amended signatures. Sorry it has given JH so much trouble. All rejoice to see JH on 10 June.

Disappointment of [Thomas William] Coke and his friends at the "rancour of the Norw[ic]h mob" against Coke [and the Corn-Law, which has made a second appearance; it originates solely in the corn-bill, and as he is a great corn grower he has become a target even though he is in favour of free export and import; concludes Coke is not safe in Norwich, and he is taking action against a "most diabolical handbill".

Lord [Thomas, 1st Viscount Anson (1769-1818)] and Lady [Anne Margaret (1779-1843)] Anson left London suddenly to attend their 9 year old son, reportedly dying. He came to London on 22 May and was unanimously elected Linnean Society president for the thirtieth time; Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley made the Society drink his health twice. Intends to attend last Linnean Society meeting on 17 June and possibly the opening of Waterloo Bridge on 18 June, and will spend the rest of summer in Norwich with visits to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Coke], and Lowestoft, [Suffolk]. Sent dried plants by waggon from Norwich on 23 May [for Liverpool Botanic Garden herbarium]. Glad Roscoe likes [Aylmer Bourke] and [Catherine] Lambert; "she is very pleasing". Sir Joseph Banks presided at Royal Society and club, he is lame but well. Asks after payment for plants.

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.

No summary available.

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.