Lady Cullum losing her eyesight to cataracts but Sir William Adams [(1783-1827), oculist] will not operate till she is almost completely blind in both eyes, hopes it can be done by May as warmer summer months not suitable.

Attended Royal Society meeting and dinner; Sir Joseph Banks too ill to attend but [Davies] Gilbert, Mr Raper, Dr [John] Latham, and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert did. Was not aware of Mrs [Catherine] Lambert's "deplorable state" until seeing the muffled rapper on Lambert's door; a letter from Sir George Staunton says she continues in the same way, he has lately bought an estate at Leigh in Hampshire. Received from Copenhagen the continuation of "Flora Danica", observes that "Flora Britannica" and "English Botany" are frequently quoted, along with [Thomas] Velley and late [John] Stackhouse. Congratulates Smith on his appointment to botanical professorship at the Royal Institution. Flattered by Smith's article on 'Cullumia' in [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia" which has been copied by Dr [John] Sims in the "Botanical Magazine". Encloses note for Smith's neighbour, Stevenson [not extant].

Waiting for Lady Cullum to have her cataract operation before coming to London; hopes to attend meetings of Antiquarian and Horticultural Societies and Linnean Society anniversary meeting, though Smith will have to announce deaths of [John] Stackhouse and [Thomas] Woodward. The "celebrated" Arthur Young [(1741-1820)] of the Board of Agriculture died recently at Bradfield, near Bury. Introduces Mr Longstaff, bearer of this letter and an astronomcial lecturer. Hopes to attend some of Smith's Royal Institution lectures on "the affinities of plants" in May. Has grown plants of either Smith's 'Dianthus virgineus' or 'Dianthus alpinus' from his "Tour of the Continent" from seeds collected on ruins of Catullus' villa on Lake Garda. 'Tulipa sylvestris', 'Rheum undulatum', and 'Scrophularia vernalis' coming into flower soon.

In mourning for four relatives, including his and Lady Smith's mothers. Going to Thomas Furly Forster's in Clapton, [Essex], for a week before going onto London, and then to lecture in Liverpool in May. Hopes to see Cullum at Horticultural and Linnean Society meetings in May. Laments deaths of [Thomas] Woodward and [Jeremiah] Ives [(d 1820), mayor of Norwich 1786 and 1801] of Catton, [Norfolk]. Thinks Cullum's plant is 'Dianthus virgineus', requests dried specimens of 'Tulipa sylvestris'. Has solicited for Mr Longstaff's astronomical lectures. Preparing for the press "very curious" letters from Dillenius to Linnaeus and to Dr Richardson.

Relieved at success of Lady Cullum's cataract operation. Detailed account of his and Lady Smith's tour following death of their mothers: stayed with [Thomas Furly] Forster in Clapton, [Essex], friends in Blackheath, [Kent], and in London near [Archibald] Menzies; dined at Oxford with Dr [George] and Miss Williams, but disappointed to not find any letters from Linneaus to Dillenius; visited Lichfield cathedral and admired [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey's [(1781-1841)] monument to two grandchildren of the present dean; stayed a month in Liverpool, where his lectures were "numerously & brilliantly attended", the botanic garden was in "rich & fine order" with impressive collection of 'Scitamineae' and exotic ferns, 'Nepenthes destillatoria' grown from seed, 'Paris polyphylla' and two new 'Cypripedium' from Nepal, and abundance of hardy plants such as 'Arenaria', [William] Roscoe ardent in his study of 'Scitamineae'; visited Crewe Hall, a perfectly preserved "fine old mansion" of James I's time; visited Mr Tolbett, a great agriculturist, his wife a good botanist; went to Buxton and Bakewell via Leek and visited the Duke of Rutland's uninhabited Haddon Hall; stayed at his brother's Dunston Hall near Chesterfield; visited Sheffield and Dr Young; spent a fortnight at Matlock botanising in the hills; took new road by Derby, Lichfield, and Dudley to Arley near Bewdley to stay with Lord Mountnorris [George Annessley], rich botanic garden and antiquarian collections; stayed near Birmingham; saw Hagley, Kennilworth Castle, Warwick Castle, Amersham, Windsor, and Wick Hall where the Kindersleys are staying for summer; visited Whiteknights for the day "which is well kept, & shown for the benefit of the Duke of Marlborough's creditors" [George Spencer-Churchill]; and stopped by Claremont for Prince Leopold to sign the Linnean Society Charter Book, "he is quite a practical botanist"._x000D_

Received request from [Nathaniel Shirley] Hodson [(fl 1800s-1830s)] to subscribe two guineas for his proposed botanic garden at Bury, asks if Cullum takes an interest. Visiting Holkham soon [Norfolk home of Thomas William Coke].

Lady Cullum's cataract operation a success: performed in under five minutes with no pain and before the intense heat of June which would have complicated her recovery. Operation took place same day as Sir Joseph Banks' death, 19 June. Observations on possible 'Dianthus virgineus' grown from seed collected on Lake Garda and mentioned in last letter, it is figured in "Botanical Magazine" tab.1740. Thinks [Nathaniel Shirley] Hodson's [(fl 1800s-1830s)] botanic garden at Bury "a romantic scheme" but has subscribed two guineas and though Hodson is unqualified and "quite an amateur of flowers" he has occassionally procured curious and scarce plants.

Prior to operation Lady Cullum's eyes were treated with drops of infusion of leaves of 'Atropa belladonna', some oculists also use 'Datura stramonium' and 'Hyoscyamus'; believes [John] Ray confounded the effects of 'belladonna' and 'datura' in "Syn[opsis methodica stirpium Britannicarum] p.266", though it now turns out both dilate the pupils [Smith has annotated "Ray caused this confusion - compare ed. 2 & 3"]. Did not see [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert before he left London, little hope of Mrs [Catherine] Lambert's recovery. Invites the Smiths to visit Bury in October.

Mary Cullum adds postscript, in her own hand, sending her love to the Smiths.

Delighted to hear of Lady Cullum's successful operation. Sending seeds from Paris to [Nathaniel Shirley] Hodson [(fl 1800s-1830s), founder of Bury botanic garden] but will not subscribe to the garden. Discusses the confusion between 'Atropa belladonna' and 'Datura' in second edition of [John] Ray's "Synopsis" caused by repetition of an error by Dillenius. Confirms he gathered 'Dianthus virgineus' on Mount Cenis exactly like in "Botanical Magazine" t.1740. Unable to accept Cullum's invitation to Bury. Last saw Sir Joseph Banks a month before he died and he was "quite easy about the event, which he knew could not be far distant". Received letter from Sir Thomas Gage from Castel a Mare, near Naples, they are in "perfect safety, though living in the midst of a revolution". Mrs [Catherine] Lambert not better since moving into the country.

Thanks for copy of Smith's "Grammar of Botany", hopes it will show the Horticultural Society "the usefulness of scientific botany". Hopes it is true that the Linnean Society are to take rooms in Soho Square [home of late Sir Joseph Banks]. Expects to see "Councillor Gage" at their assizes next week, he is an entertaining man but doubts he will succeed as a public speaker at the bar. Will feel the loss of Banks when he is next in London. The waters at Bath did not relieve his son's wife twelve-month long "rheumatic and gouty complaint".

Planning to study the herbariums in Oxford before coming to London. Has heard nothing of the Linnean Society taking rooms at the late Sir Joseph Banks' home. Will send Cullum a coloured copy of his "Grammar of Botany".

Received call from Lady Mary Ann Gage, widow of Sir Thomas Gage, who said that Gage wished for his friends and Smith to have any duplicates from his considerable natural history collections. Invites Smith to visit so he can look over the collections at Hengrave, [Suffolk].

His daughter-in-law, Mrs Cullum, dangerously ill with a rheumatic complaint, and having been treated with lancets and blisters she is now to take the waters at Barèges, [France], for a year. Attended Linnean Society meeting and dinner in February at the Thatched House Tavern with Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert; Mrs [Catherine] Lambert still ill and restless. Presumes Smith has heard of Horticultural Society's plans to establish a garden; they intend to fund it by increasing by a guinea the admission fee for new member, wishes the Linnean Society would adopt a similar plan. Sorry that Smith could not visit to view Sir Thomas Gage's collections, thinks the cryptogamia curious and valuable and encloses list of the 'Orchis' and 'Ophrys' [not extant]. Hopes to see Smith in London in May.

[John] Denson [(fl 1820s-1870s, curator of Bury botanic garden] sent him thirty specimens to examine and a copy of his catalogue [of plants in Bury botanic garden]. Found 'Aurum dracunculus' "flowering & stinking" in his garden though not as tall as Cullum's. Cullum's parakeet is 'Gingi psittacus' as figured in the "Planches Enluminées". Experiencing an improvement in health and walked to Mrs Crowe's; the willows all growing well. Placed all of Lady Gage's insects in his cabinet. Sends Cullum copies of Linnaeus' "Orbis eruditi judicium" and "Observationes in Regnum Lapideum". Resuming work on his "English Flora", Edward Forster approves of that already done.

Thanks Smith for Hull Botanic Garden account, which he shall bind with [William] Roscoe's Liverpool and [William] Curtis' 1778 proposal for a subscription for a London botanic garden at Lambeth Marsh. His sister's health very precarious but he intends to tour Suffolk and Norfolk before end of summer. His daughter-in-law recovered a little from taking the waters at Barèges, [France], they intend to winter in Italy. Reports that Mr Grigby of Drinkston, Suffolk, was seized with a paralytic affection of his lower extremities whilst walking.

Received gift of four curious gold coins from Mr Barnwell. Has lately visited Lowestoft, Birmingham, and Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] but suffering from a pulmonary attack brought on by the travelling. Miss [Elizabeth] Coke engaged to [John] Spencer-Stanhope [(1787-1873)] of Cannon Hall, Yorkshire. Pleased with the society of Birmingham.

Cullum writes: augmented Dawson Turner's "amazing" collection of autographs with letters from [Thomas] Pennant, Gough, Granger, Huddersford, Percy, [John] Latham, and others, Turner is considering publishing them. [James] Sowerby's death "a loss to science". Recently suffered a severe attack of vertigo and faintness which has been treated with leeches to the temples, blood letting from his arm, and two blisters on his back, but now on laying down has a general sinking uneasiness in the thorax and abdomen.

Transcribes paragraph from letter dated 9 January 1809 sent to him by Charles Miller [(c 1739-1817)], only son of Philip Miller, of the positive effects he gained from "friction or rather what in the East is called shampooing" following a paralytic stroke. Transcribes paragraph from a letter dated 28 February 1785 sent to him by his brother [Sir John Cullum, 6th baronet (1733-1785)], recounting a meeting with Smith shortly after his purchase of the Linnaean collections. [Joseph] Sabine intending to publish an account of [James] Dickson; recalls his first meeting and early memories of Dickson. Had hoped [Thomas] Rackett would receive a considerable legacy from old Mrs Garrick [Eva Marie Veigel (1724-1822), wife of the actor David Garrick] but it will not exceed £100.

F H Bathwell writes: thanks Smith for his letter, and is gratified that Smith is pleased with what has been done on his part.

Discusses learned societies: informed by Sir George Staunton of the founding of the Asiatic Society of London; anxious for the prosperity of the Linnean Society, asks if the vice-president, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, and [Robert] Brown communicate with Smith; laments death of Sir Joseph Banks [president of Royal Society] and reserved behaviour of Lord Aberdeen [George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen (1784-1860)], president of Antiquarian Society; requests copy of 1819 Linnean Society list.

Reported in newspaper that [George] Leathes [(1779-1836)] caught a live 'Ampelis garrulus' in his hothouse and is feeding it on grapes, juniper berries, and raisins; Cullum would like to see if it can live on misletoe berries. Just received fifth volume of [John] Latham's "[A general history of] Birds", has subscribed in friendship and knowing of his difficult financial affairs due to his son's imprudence. Asks if Smith knows what plant 'Buchu' is as the leaves of it are being advertised in a pamphlet to treat complaints of the urethra and vesica urinaria [Smith has annotated in pencil that "'Buchu' is the Hottentot name" for 'Diosma'].

[John] Denson [(fl 1820s-1870s, curator of Bury botanic garden] received parcel of seeds sent by Smith. Alarmed by account given of Smith's health, his own legs are inflamed and forming superficial abscesses. Had hoped to invite Smith to visit him in Bury on his way to London. Received letter from [Thomas] Rackett, an executor for David Garrick's widow [Eva Marie Veigel (1724-1822)], offering to show him curiosities from Garrick's estate, and given a catalogue of Garrick's soon to be auctioned library; sketches and transcribes inscription of one of Garrick's book plates and comments on it. Received letter from his son in Rome, details their intended movements around Italy.

Intends to visit Cullum in Bury after visiting his Kindersley cousins at Sunning Hill. Three hundred people attended Horticultural Society dinner. Has the book "Menagiana" mentioned by Cullum, amused and informed by it.

Disappointed to not be able to attend Linnean Society dinner; cannot forget his connection to the Society. Further plans for Smith's visit to Bury. His son and family in Italy, the "unfortunate war with Spain" [Franco-Spanish War] prevents them from returning to Barèges, [France]. Details of the coaches leaving London for Bury.

[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert in "raptures" over [Augustin Pyramus] de Candolle's new work "Prodromus syst[ematis] nat[uralis]" though Cullum disappointed Candolle is unlikely to continue his "Systema Vegetabile".

Observations on changes of chemical names of medicines in the "London Pharmacopoeia" and other: 'Elettaria' has changed to 'Matonia', as recommended by Smith'; in the "Dispensatory" "cantharides" has reverted from "lyttae"; the three species of 'Arichona', the 'cordifolia', 'lancifolia', and 'oblongifolia' continued; and camphor still said to be produce of 'Laurus camphora' though [Philip] Miller told him that the best camphor comes from very large trees timber trees at Sumatra, wonders if the Dutch controllers of the trade make it from the 'Laurus' or undersized trees.

Lord [John Rous, 1st Earl of] Stradbroke [(1750-1827)] sent him specimens of the insects killing his Scotch firs for identification; thinks them 'Sirex juveneus' and reminded that some years ago several oaks were cut down in Mr Port's garden plantation at Ham, Derbyshire, because of boring 'Sirex gigas' hornets. Does not think 'Sirex' are labelled a pest of 'Pinus sylvestris' in Lambert's "[A description of the genus] Pinus". Offers to send bark specimens of Stradbroke's trees to Linnean Society.

Had hoped to send Cullum his "[English] Flora" for his patronage but held up by 'Rosa' and 'Rubus', has doubled the number of species of latter. Has now completed more than half his work on "Flora Graeca". Yet to receive [Augustin Pyramus] de Candolle's new work ["Prodromus systematis naturalis..."] but observed many errors in characters and references his "[Regni vegetabilis] Systema [naturale]" and his adoption of names according to date means he cannot be an authority.

Cullum correct about the two species of 'Sirex'. Received seeds and roots from [John] Denson [(fl 1820s-1870s, curator of Bury botanic garden], and intends to send Cullum willow cuttings from Mrs Crowe's. Dr [Martin] Davy of Caius [College, Cambridge], [William] Roscoe, the Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)], and [John Dunn] Hunter [(c 1798-1827)], an American brought up "among the wild Indians", whose narrative he recommends ["Memoirs of a captivity among the Indians of North America..." (1823)], all at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] during his last visit.