Preparing a "Hindoostan" supplement [to volumes one and two of "Outlines of the Globe"] for publication in spring. Asks for an account of the Norwich shawl industry including materials and wools used.

Sends West Indies plants and Swedish 'Musci'. Longs to see Smith's new genera recently published in "Linnean Transactions". Hopes to finish his "Flora Indiae occidentalis" next year. Hopes Smith received the papers he sent including one by him on ['Epidendrum'] L. Praises [Archibald] Menzies' new arrangement of 'Polytrichum'. Preparing a paper on 'Ehrharta' for "Linnean Transactions".

Death of Edmund Davall, encloses his last unfinished letter to Smith.

Thanks Smith and [John] Harvey, [of Norwich, presumably for information on shawl industry]. Received news from the Lieutenant of [HMS] Canada of the victory at Lough Swilly, [Ireland, British defeat of a French fleet carrying members of the United Irishmen, plus troops, to assist in 1798 Irish rebellion against British rule]. Taking treatment of broom infused in gin for his anascara, description of its effect. Encloses extract from his intended "Hindoostan" supplement [to volumes one and two of "Outlines of the Globe"], "Of the shawl wool" [folio number 8.59].

Received letter from [William] Curtis as if taking leave; Frankland wrote him a local case of angina pectoris being cured by following Dr Fothergill's advice in the "Medical Observations" but Curtis thinks his disorder is not that.

Unable to find Curtis' misquotation of Morrison in 'Lobelia ursens' article from having copied [William] Hudson and note he does not quote Hudson at all for that plant. Agrees that Curtis wrong to criticise Smith's use of terminology useage for 'Sageria corastoides'. Pleased with Smith's progress on the "Flora" and thinks the size and number of volumes does not matter, finding no description objectionable for its length except [Adam Afzelius' paper on] "3 certain 'Trifolia' in "Linnean Transactions", highlights [Richard] Relhan's as being particularly gratifying.

Would prefer a Botany Bay genus to be named after himself though admits he has contributed nothing to the botanical world though he has many drawings of 'Confervae' which he has not published. Gathered 'Viola canina' in full flower this week; proof of mildness of weather. Unsatisfied with his understanding of elms and confused by the different English, Dutch, and Cornish names for the same species. Encloses elm leaves [not extant]: large leaf of English elm, also sent to him from Wiltshire as Dutch elm; a narrow leaf with smooth twigs corresponding with enclosed marked as "common English Elm" from Circencester, [Gloucestershire]; obervations on elm bark.

Relates facts and circumstances in case of a void legacy concerning Mr Norton, [Nathaniel] Kindersley, and Mr Harpur. Account of his tour through the north of England. [Adam] Afzelius to visit Smith in Norwich, [Norfolk]. Lack of papers at the Linnean Society; a motion passed not to publish "Linnean Transactions" until the first meeting after the summer recess.

A discharge from his leg has relieved his discomfort [from anascara]. Comments and questions on wool-bearing animals with references to his "History of quadrupeds" and "Arctic zoology", including: musk-ox; argali; broad tailed sheep; bearded sheep; caramanick sheep; Angora goat; shawl goat of Tibet, heard that Lord Egremont sells them [George O'Brien Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont (1751-1837)]; camel; llama; and vicunna [vicugna].

Informs Smith he is "not quite implacable" on account of Smith's critique in preface to seventh volume of "English botany", and that he is not "intemperately [...] friendly to reform"; wishes Smith had kept him a little more detached "from the furious reformers of Germany, whose zeal has carried them to adopt measures which can never be defended". His only statement on subject is that it renders "the business of investigation more easy", for sake of the ladies who "cannot fail to be shocked at the abominable & indelicate idea of the females riding the males".

Encloses specimen of "fungi parvi globosi" of "English botany"; observations. Asks that Smith delay figuring English 'Drosera' until he has sent specimens as he believes there are 5 species of that genus in the country. Encloses two Portugeuse species of 'Trifolium'; one may be 'T. angustifolium' [Smith annotation: "HL"] and the other belongs to subdivision of 'T. venicaria', if new suggests name 'T. umbellatum' [Smith annotation: "'resupinatum' HL"]; observations. In great hopes that 'Bromus diandrus' will prove valuable addition to agriculture, providing a much needed pasture in late March, though uncertain of expense of tillage; will send seed to any farming friend of Smith's.

Thanks for Smith's praise of his "Botanical Arranagement" and for the "many corrections which it owes to [Smith's] superior knowledge". Thanks for invitation to Norwich, but his health complaints do not allow him to travel, hopes Smith will visit him instead. "The very flourishing state of the Linn[ean] Soc[iety] must be highly flattering to its Founder".