Suffered a stroke on 16 December, affecting his speech and right-hand side of his body, but much recovered after copious bleeding, blistering, and other remedies; still confined to his library. Finished his catalogue of the Holkham manuscripts, although [Thomas William] Coke has postponed its publication. His botanical work ["Monandrian Plants"] almost completed. Shortly before his stroke he concluded his correspondence with New York respecting the discipline in the prisons there, closing his investigation, so for the first time in many years free from any literary engagements.

Sends two small works lately published, one entirely by himself and other with the botanical part taken from his father's manuscripts [Thomas Furly Forster]; his plans for future botanical publication. He is now settled at Boreham, near Chelmsford, and getting into medical practice. Invites Smith to stay on his way into London. Improvements in "Curtis's Magazine". Sends seed of a new 'Crepis' from central France.

[Elizabeth Anne Tyrrell], the wife of his neighbour, [Sir John Tyssen] Tyrrell, has eloped with [John Humphrey] St Aubyn [(1790-1857)], son of Sir John St Aubyn [(1758-1839)].

Would be pleased to receive Smith's "Introduction to Botany". Difficulty of obtaining books from England. Revising his view on 'Scabiosa columbaria' following receipt of Smith's views, comments on confusion caused by it being given multiple names as mentioned in his last letter, with addition of 'Scabiosa acutiflora'. Debate on other 'Scabiosa' it could also be including 'Scabiosa maritima', 'Scabiosa atro-purpurea', 'Scabiosa indica', 'Scabiosa italica', 'Scabiosa argentea', 'Scabiosa rutafolia', and 'Scabiosa urceolata'. Desires Smith's opinion so is sending the 'Scabiosae' in question amongst other Italian plant specimens.