Snowed in; responding to Smith's letter of 7 September 1782 and account of his visit to the Lakes. Reflections on Edinburgh, effects of winter and snow on the imagination, and snow pancakes. Asks after Smith's medical studies, reflects on tendency for charismatic physicians to be better regarded than those with deep knowledge and recommends Smith to "cultivate these lesser but not less material requisites", the "great school for this kind of learning is the company of ladies". Suggests Smith practice as a physician in this part of Norfolk, which is too far away to be effectively covered by Norwich physicians. Discusses local physicians. Norwich gossip, a pamphlet by Morgan that overleapt "the bounds of decency".

Requests to renew his old acquaintance with Smith after reading the "Monthly Review" of August 1794 which included an account of one of Smith's works. Recalls their early friendship including the occassion Smith found 'Helvella acaulis' in a storm. Invites Smith to Hare Street near Romford, Essex. [Samuel] Goodenough sends greetings.

Sends his paper on ivy which he had previously addressed to Sir Joseph Banks. Banks believes ivy classes with "woodbind" as a "vegetable beast of prey". Repton refutes Banks' claim with his own observations on ivy's less aggressive nature, offers the paper to Smith and Linnean Society.

His paper on ivy: has further observations; asks how the drawings would be effected if it is ever printed; unsure what to make of Sir Joseph Banks objecting to the printing of Banks' letter on ivy; asks Smith to send back the other papers he sent so he can edit them.

Asks if and when his paper on ivy is to appear in print. Asks for information on Linnaeus' arrangement of flowers to show the time of day, for a friend.

Congratulates Smith on his knighthood. Suffering from angina pectoris, believes that it is not always fatal and refers to two cases mentioned by Parry in which one patient died in a fall and the other took arsenic by mistake. Asks after his paper on ivy.

Has been confined for nine months [on account of his angina pectoria]. Philosophical reflections on friendship; life; Smith's botanical achievements; recent history, including fall of the Bourbons and rise of Napoleon; notions of power and glory; and his own approaching death, inspired by death of [Samuel] Whitbread [(1764-1815) politician, who killed himself by cutting his throat on 6 July 1815].

Directions for travelling from Whitechapel to Hare Street. Asks Smith to bring specimens of his plates, regrets that he has dedicated his life to "the canvass on which nature sketches her wonders - rather than on the individual wonders separately". Believes that from Psalm 22 verse 14 King David must have had some of his own disorder [angina pectoria].

Asks after Smith following his recent visit to Hare Street. Wishes to reprint his "Linnean Transactions" paper on ivy in "Fragments of Landscape Gardening", asks if he can also add the sketch if still available. Asks if his daughter could attend any lectures Smith gives in the spring.

[Note in Smith's hand] did not receive this letter until September [1816].

Smith's permission to reprint his "Linnean Transactions" paper on ivy in "Fragments of Landscape Gardening" came too late. His daughters have two silhouette drawings to send to Smith. Told by Dr Bailey that his angina pectoris is only an acute pain in his chest.

[Note in Smith's hand] death of Repton.