He has been confined for a month with influenza, his "old enemy inflamm[atio]n on the lungs", and much fever, debility, and irritation, but now thinks he is recovering; impossible for him to be in London on 4 May but hoping to arrive by 22 May, if he can leave at all.

"A wretched headache" prevents him from answering Macleay's letter, and is "quite unable" to go into the country for change of air nor London for 15 June [1824]. Does not think he should nominate the vice-presidents until he is informed of his own re-election as President.

Appoints Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough], [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, [William George] Maton, and [Edward Smith-]Stanley as Vice-Presidents of the Linnean Society.

Happy to see Macleay's handwriting, does not complain of him "as of many people for forcing me to write letters, on w[hi]ch subject some people have no discretion". His "whole daylight" devoted to third volume of his "[English] Flora". His health much restored but lost most of his teeth, long account of his recent illness. "Letter-writing is incompatible with Flora-writing", recent progress. Intends to come to London in April or May [1825] after completing third volume. Complains of "puppies chattering about natural orders which they do not understand"; the more that has been done in botany the more mistakes he finds.

Hopes to make "some stay" in London, including sitting for [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor] and fulfilling his engagement of lecturing at the London Institution. [Robert] Brown the only writer he finds "most in the right"; now realises he has praised [Augustin] de Candolle too much, as he has made many errors.

Hopes Macleay favours [John] Frost's election as FLS.