His summer uneventful but saw [James] Sowerby on his way back to London after staying with [Dawson] Turner in Yarmouth, and received letter from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert who was in good spirits and said first Linnean Society meeting was very full. Proposes establishment of annual Linnean Society medal for the best paper, similar to the Royal Society's Copley Medal. Sorry for the death of [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow. Will be in London at Pall Mall from February to April.

Reports on his summer excursion: visited Sir Joseph Banks at Spring Grove, Smallbury Green, and his garden and "elegant dairy", afraid Banks will not walk properly again; the Bishop of Winchester's [Brownlow North] garden containing magnolias, tea trees, 'Salisburia adiantifolia', 'Arbutus andrachne', and rhododendrons; disappointed by Isle of Wight other than Sir Nash Grose's [(1740-1814), judge] house; impressed with Portsmouth's fortifications and dockyards, thinks that it will be a great loss if those of the 7000 [French] prisoners in Portchester Castle are stopped making their lace; also visited Chichester, Arundel, Worthing, Brighton, and London. Heard of deaths of [George] Shaw and Dr [John] Davie, Master of S[i]dney Sussex College, Cambridge. [Thomas] Martyn evidentally still intellectually active, having edited Dr Steven's "Treatise on Human Happiness".

Discusses Smith's campaign for Cambridge botany professorship: unfortunate that Smith has to win over the powerful vice-chancellor, Professor [Isaac] Pennington [(1745-1817), physician and chemist], and Professor [Busick] Harwood [(1750-1814), anatomist], for Dr [Richard] Walker's [(1679-1764)] lectureship. Begs Smith to become a member of the university first to remove obstacles other candidates will take advantage of. In comparison to the expense of the knighthood it would be a minor cost, and as the Linnean Society already has a Duke, Earls, Viscounts, Bishops, and Lords, it is no great favour for the President to have an honorary distinction.

Looking forward to seeing Smith in London. The Linnean Society is flourishing "more & more every year"; [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert last filled chair "with great good humour & cheerfulness", [William George] Maton absent on account of death of his mother. Sir Joseph Banks passed winter surprisingly well, it gives "one less pain to see him wheeled about, than to see him walk in such a crippled gait". Recently wrote to [William] Webb of Clare Hall; it would be worthwhile if Smith went to Cambridge on his way to London to meet with his supporters there. Transcribes lines of a satirical poem written when the "late Bishop of Norwich" [Charles Manners-Sutton (1755-1828)] succeeded [John Moore (1730-1805)] as Archbishop of Canterbury, "in a more amiable style [sic] than the couplet on poor Lady Brownlow".

Thanks for copy of Smith's "Introduction to Botany". Reports from his excursion into Yorkshire: wishes Smith had been with him at the "dropping well" at Knaresborough, there were jungermanniae, lichens, and mosses; found 'Inula helerium' and 'Sedum telefitium' in a hedge bank, 'Atropa belladonna' in churchyard near Ferrybridge, Yorkshire, and in hedges near the town, and 'Colchium autumnale' in meadows about Knaresborough. Recounts anecdote in Dr [Thomas] Zouch's [(1737-1815)], prebendary of Durham and FLS, unpublished "Memoir of the life of Dr John Sudbury", dean of Durham in 1661, about the detainment of the cathedral library's copy of [John] Gerard's "Herbal" by Colonel Robert Lilburn; thinks it curious in showing the estimation in which the book was held. Invites the Smiths to visit for the Bury Fair.

Postscript by Lady Cullum repeating Cullum's invitation.

Invites Smith and his wife to stay next week whilst [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Mrs Lochee are also visiting.

Violent headache compelled [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert to cancel his visit to Bury at the last moment. Approves of the advice given to Smith regarding Cambridge botany professorship and garden. Grieved by Smith's account of Dr [Martin] Davy's mortal illness and recalls others who have died or are dying from cancers of the mouth.

Reports on letters received from Mrs [Catherine] Lambert concerning [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's ill health, including violent headaches and insomnia. Cornwallis Hewett to succeed as Downing Professor of Medicine following death of Professor [Busick] Harwood [(1750-1814), anatomist], although uncertain who will succeed to astronomical professorship, believes Hewett's father exhibited his collection of gold, topazes and amethysts to Smith at Cullum's lodgings in King Street, Covent Garden, [London]. Invites [William] Roscoe to call on him should he return from his Norfolk tour via Bury.

Mrs [Catherine] Lambert reports that [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert continues to have restless nights. Interested to see Smith's catalogue of Holkham manuscripts [home of Thomas William Coke], hopes Lady Cullum will be able to see the Raphael Delph at Narford [Hall, Norfolk, home of Andrew Fountaine].

Attended Royal Society anniversary and dinner with Sir Joseph Banks, Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough], Mr Lysons , Mr Marsden, [Edward] Rudge, and Mr Raper. Attended Linnean Society meeting; Lambert was in the chair and [William George] Maton also attended but [Alexander] Macleay still recovering from his "violent peripneumony". Concerned by [Thomas] Marsham's removal from Baker Street to Winchmore Hill. Convinced [William] Webb in Cambridge to put himself forward for Linnean Society; [Arthur] Biggs' [(1765-1848), curator of the [Cambridge] Physic Garden, nomination certificate for Associate put up. Asks if Smith has seen [William Elford] Leach's "[Zoological] miscellany"; does not approve of the "frequent new generic names".

Has been unable to procure enough signatures to propose [William] Webb as a FLS. Hopes Smith will meet with Webb whilst they are both in London and that Smith can arrange for the certificate to be signed; includes a prepared one with his own signature [second folio of this letter]. Webb is considering taking a vacant parsonage and rectory near Bury but Cullum hopes he will wait for the mastership of his college [Clare Hall, Cambridge].

Promised to send Forster bulbs of 'Tulipa sylvestris' and roots of 'Genista pilosa'. 'Osmunda lunaria' "nearly in perfection".

Pleased by Smith's report of the recovery of Dr [Martin] Davy, the signing of [William] Webb's proposal certificate to become a FLS, and Smith's intention to visit Bury. Webb is considering accepting gift of the rectory of Fornham, [Suffolk], from the Fellows of Clare Hall, Cambridge, though Cullum thinks it inadvisable to give up all future College prospects.

Has not seen many plants: 'Genista filosa' has been flowering for a month, 'Veronica verna' in seed, 'Seleranthus perennis' and 'Osmunda lunaria' "in full perfection". Impatient for first volume of [William] Kirby's "Introduction to Entomology". Lady Cullum has curiosities to show Smith and will be delighted if Smith has seen the "pig-faced lady", of which she has a print placed opposite the print of the "hog-faced servant" painting at Winchester College ["The Trusty Servant", painted by John Hoskins in 1579].

Looking forward to visit by Smith and his cousins; Napoleon's abdication was not known of when Smith sent last letter. [William] Webb still undecided whether to take vacant preferment [parsonage and rectory of Fornham, Suffolk], Cullum has advised to wait for mastership of the college [Clare Hall, Cambridge]. Smith's visit to Bury will be quiet with everyone away at either the Commencement at Cambridge or the Ipswich Races and the presentation of plate to the "gallant" Sir [Philip Bowes Vere] Broke [(1776-1841), whilst commanding the HMS Shannon he captured the USS Chesapeake on 1 June 1813, during the War of 1812].

Attended a dinner at Clare Hall, Cambridge, with [William] Webb and Dr [Martin] Davy, who hopes for Smith's success [in campaign for Cambridge botany professorship]; neither [George] Leathes [(1779-1836)] or Davies were mentioned [Smith's rivals for professorship]. The university divided on mode of election as there has not been one for a botanical professor for fifty years, and whether the college heads can reduce the number of candidates to two.

Attended Linnean Club dinner; [Alexander] Macleay in chair supported by [William] Smith and [Joseph] Sabine, William Webb admitted a FLS by Sabine, [Edward and Thomas Furly] Forster also present, [William George] Maton absent on account of death of his father, and [Thomas] Marsham absent until "times are better with him". Sir Everard Home [(1756-1832), physician], took chair at Royal Society as Sir Joseph Banks too ill, two archdukes who wanted to become FRS announced and duly elected. A botanical publication brought from Paris by Bowater for [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert seized with the contraband items it was packed with. [William Elford] Leach, "the great zoological reformer", has been elected FRS and Duke of Norfolk [Bernard Howard (1765-1842)] nominated by Banks. Presumes Smith and the Council will propose a plan for amending Linnean Society finances.

Hopes [William Elford] Leach's long paper in the new volume of "Linnean Transactions" ['A tabular View of the external Characters of Four Classes of Animals'] will not lead the Society to be called the "Crabby, or Crusty Society".

Lady Cullum pleased by her visit to Smith. [William] Webb, Master of Clare Hall, wonders if the Cambridge collge heads can reduce the number of candidates to two [Smith's campaign for botany professorship].

Reminisces that at this time of year in his youth he collected 'Orchis mascula' in the meadows and 'Ophrys aranifera' in the chalk hills and pits. If in Yorkshire this summer hopes to see 'Trientalis' growing on its native soil near Scarborough and to pick 'Primula farinosa', as [William] Curtis did. Glad Sir Joseph Banks is well but wishes [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert in better spirits. Enquires if a Linnean Society list for 1788 was printed, to complete his collection of 1789 to 1815 inclusive; a minute of the first meeting in his possession lists Smith, [Samuel] Goodenough, Jonas Dryander, James Dickson, John Beckwith, Thomas Marsham, and John Timothy Swainson in attendance. Wishes Marsham had continued as Secretary.

Smith missed at Linnean Society anniversary meeting and dinner; Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] took chair with [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley, [William George] Maton, [Jelinger] Symons, [Edward and Thomas Furly] Forster, and President of Horticultual Society [Thomas Andrew Knight] also attended. Glad Smith and Sir Joseph Banks have been elected honorary members of the Horticultural Society, though concerned whether both it and the Linnean Society can thrive. Leaving for Yorkshire shortly. Little notice taken of [Thomas] Marsham's resignation letter. [John] Francillon's [(1744-1816), entomologist] ill with asthma and dropsy, no hope of recovery.

Developments at Cambridge leave him hopeful for Smith's success [campign for botany professorship]; Dr [Martin] Davy wants Smith to admit himself a member of Pembroke College. Bundle of Cayenne plants left for Smith by Sir Thomas Gage.

Accepts Smith's invitation to visit in Norwich. His sister, Mrs Palmer, unwell with a "great weakness" in her bowels. Hopes Smith received parcel of Cayenne plants sent by Sir Thomas Gage on leaving Hengrave, [Suffolk], for the continent.

Received Smith's letter of 17 September. Invites and suggests itinerary for Smith to visit the Bury Fair in October. [John] Hemsted [(c 1747-1824)], a contributor to "English Botany", staying with him. His admiration of the Master of Caius [College, Matin Davy].

Missed Linnean dinner but concludes [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, [William George] Maton, Edward Forster, [William Horton] Lloyd, [Alexander] Macleay, and [Joseph] Sabine attended. Pities [Thomas] Marsham, though he has behaved so badly that his friends "cannot palliate his behaviour", and understands that Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] is particulaly upset [after Marsham stole funds from the Linnean Society]. Sir Joseph Banks in good health. Attended Linnean Club meeting at British Coffee House, Maton in chair as Lambert unfit to attend, Sabine, Macleay, Forster, [Robert] Brown, [William] Pilkington [(1758-1848)], and [William] Smith attended.

Met Sir Christopher Pegge [(1765-1822)], Oxford professor of anatomy, at Hunterian Museum, he has moved to Upper Grosvenor Street. Frequently sees Dr [William] Webb, Master of Clare Hall. Has not seen Dr [John] Haviland [(1785-1851)], Sir Isaac Pennington's [(1745-1817)] successor [as Cambridge Regius professor of Physic], but thinks him influential for Smith's Cambridge prospects. Duke of Bedford's [John Russell, 6th Duke] "handsome present" to Smith [copy of "Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis"], having consulted Sir Humphry Davy's copy thinks the work "truly worthy of a Duke of Bedford".

Recently stayed with Dr Martineau. Asks if Smith has seen Revd and Mrs Ward, who sent the East India seeds sent on to Lambert for distribution. Bought fourth part of Smith's "Prodromous florae Graecae" and Arabella Rowden's [(1774-1840)] "Poetical Introduction to the Study of Botany", would like to know what is the plant 'Brusenia' she gives as an example of 'Polyandria decagynia' in the latter [Smith has annotated "'Brasenia' Schreb. Gen. p.372"]. Transcribes, in Latin, a reference found in records of the monastery at Bury St Edmunds requesting a herb called "scathery" for the monks to eat with their beans; asks if this was ever a name for parsley.

Leaving for London tomorrow and will attend Horticultural Society anniversary meeting and Linnean Society monthly meeting. Satisfied with Smith's explanation that [Arabella] Rowland's 'Brusenia' should have been Schreber's 'Brasenia'. Determined that the herb "scathery" is the winter or summer savory, in English called "saverye or saveraye", and in Dutch "saturey", and said by Gerard to be good eaten with "Beanes and Peason and other windie pulses" Ger.Em.p.577; this confirms Professor [Thomas] Martyn's observation in [Philip] Miller's "[Gardener's and botanist's] Dictionary" that winter and summer savory and other pot herbs must have been cultivated a long time before spices from the East Indies were in common use.

Glad none of Smith's relations were involved in the "dreadful catastrophe" of the exploding steam engine on the boat. Sorry for his friend Mr Davies' credit that he has not done anything generous for friends or relations in his will. Looking forward to seeing Smith in London.