Accepts Smith's invitation to Norwich, [Norfolk], and will be happy to also see [William] Roscoe, depending on the date. They have lost a "much valued friend" in death of [Thomas] Woodward.
Sends list of subscribers to his "History of Birds" [extant]; he has received permission to dedicate it to the King [George IV (1762-1830)]. He will commence printing as soon as subscribers reach 150. Criticises [Coenraad Jacob] Temminck's [(1778-1858), zoologist] work [probably "Manuel d'ornithologie" (1815)]. Looking forward to Smith's "Linnaean correspondence".
Written on printed prospectus and list of subscribers for "Latham's History of Birds".
Arrived in London the first night of popular celebrations and illuminations for the Queen [Caroline (1768-1821), wife of George IV]; the people were "quite besides themselves, knowing nothing & hearing nothing but merely bragging that they had got the day" [following announcement on 10 November 1820 that the bill brought against her would not proceed to House of Commons].
Suffered an attack of gout shortly after arriving. Sir Humphry Davy elected president of Royal Society in spite of last minute canvassing by Mr Croker of the Admiralty for Lord Colchester [Charles Abbot, 1st Baron Colchester (1757-1829), statesman]. Lady Banks has left Soho Square and the house is let for £200 per annum by [Robert] Brown, doubling his still inadequate income. Equates the tumults in Parliament to those of "poor Charles I's time". Sent a barrel of oysters for Smith.
Nearly finished with his [cataloguing of Thomas William Coke's manuscript collection] at Holkham but thinks the project may have been beyond his capabilities. Ill-health caused the Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)] to defer his visit to Holkham. Dawson Turner visited and assisted with the manuscripts and has invited him to stay. Urges Smith not to invite too many people when he comes to Norwich as he is anxious for some rest following his two month stay at Holkham and the constant succession of guests. Mortal illness of Mrs Blackwell. Anxious about circumstances in Liverpool but confident he will not be called away.
Thanks for turkey. Corrêa de Serra is staying with him for a few days before going to Brazil via Paris. Pleased to hear of Smith's progress with publishing Linnaeus' letters. Found 'Silene lusitanica' in Berkshire, and 'Campanula patula' in East Hampstead. Truncated postscript enquiring whether Lady Smith left items at their house the last time they stayed.
[Letter incomplete: sections cropped, including part of Forster's postscript, presumed destroyed]
Regrets that he will no longer be able to visit Smith whilst [William] Roscoe is also visiting, and proposes next month instead.
Sends her translations of [Anders] Sparrman's [(1748-1820)] letters, which are written in a "very puzzling hand". Plans to visit Smith soon, and hopes she will be able to finish "little book" of Linnaeus' lent by Smith.
Sends translation of [Peter Hinrich] Tesdorpf's [(1712-1778), German merchant] letter [to Linnaeus]. Asks if Smith cares about Linnaeus' "little book" being translated before she goes to Northrepps, [Norfolk], on Wednesday.
Sending rough translations of [Clas] Alströmer's [(1736-1794), Swedish industrialist] letters [to Linnaeus]. Returning home soon, hopes to call on Lady [Pleasance] Smith then.
Sends her translations of Count [Carl Gustaf] Tessin's [(1695-1770), Swedish politician] letters; surprised Linnaeus maintained a corresondence with him, little in the letters. After assessing the remaining letters in her possession intends to translate Linnaeus' "little book". She has had to postpone her visit to Lady [Pleasance] Smith on account of bad colds.
Her cousin has given her an explanation of Swedish coins so can now insert the correct information into translations of [Daniel] Solander's letters. Sends translations of [Daniel] Scheidenburg's [(b 1720), Swedish clergyman] letters. She will return all the letters she is not taking with her, for safekeeping. Considers herself engaged to come to Smith's house to work on translation of Linnaeus' "little book".
Note on communication of diploma admitting Linnaeus as a member of the Scientific Society at Rotterdam.
Returns Smith's "Linnaeus", may ask to borrow it again. Praises Linnaeus' character.
Unable to wait on Smith this morning as her maid is ill; apologises for what little she is now sending but cannot easily make out Linnaeus' writing. Requests some of [Daniel] Solander's letters to translate.
Apologises for not sending any fresh translations [of Linnaean correspondence]. She has arranged the letters so as they can be sent back to her on her return. She is taking the German letters with her to Hertfordshire; proposes to call on Smith on her return so as to translate Linnaeus' "little book". Requests any further [Carl Peter] Thunberg, [Anders] Sparrman [(1748-1820)], or [Christopher] Tärnström [(1711-1746)] letters Smith might have found.
Returns two letters of [Fredrick] Logie [(1739-1785)] to Linnaeus, with rough translations.
She has translated the three Danish letters. She is keeping the beginning of a letter from [Uno] von Troil [(1746-1803), Swedish archbishop], suspects Smith may have the other half. Thanks for copy of "Correspondence of Linnaeus".
Returns all the papers Smith has entrusted her with, except part of one of [Daniel] Solander's letters. If Smith cannot find the rest of Solander's letters asks that she could be let to look over others.
Sends her translation of [Peter Frederick] Suhm's [(1728-1798), historian] notes on the state of gardening and the "indications of spring" in Norway and Denmark; apologises for its poor quality.
Leaves parcel and letter for Smith, just received. His joy at having seen and conversed with Correa [at Linnean Society meeting].