Unable to attend Smith's gathering of friends at Marlborough Street due to his ill-health, a "rheumatic sciatic". His paper on 'Papilios' is with Smith, not having seen it since it was approved to be printed.

Happy to see that [Thomas] Marsham is "more profitably employed than attending the Linnean Society". Has been unable to attend since the hours were changed, suprised at Smith sanctioning them. Critiques an unnamed book apparently on ancient mythology. Recommends "History of the Heavens" ["Histoire du ciel considéré selon..."] by same author of "Spectacle de la Nature" [Noël-Antoine Pluche (1688-1761) French priest].