Gratifiation at herbarium Smith sent to Liverpool [Botanic Garden]; the garden is progressing but he doubts whether botany will "ever make any effectual progress" in Liverpool area.

Received letter from [William George] Maton on 'Amomum repens', the true cardamon; agrees with Maton's inclination that from the drawing in [David] White's paper on subject read at Linnean Society it is a new genus, with reference to "Hortus Malabaricus" vol 11 tab 5&6; advises caution until Smith's idea of it being an 'Alpinia' is removed. Hopes Smith is continuing with his 'Scitamineae' research, about which "much remains to be done"; they have many at the Botanic Garden but they rarely flower. Anxious about Smith's brother.