After a "long series of fatigue & ill health" he has shut up his business at Mercers' Hall and is leaving for Shepperton, [Middlesex], for three months to recoup his health and spirits. Hopes Smith's lectures have succeeded. Requests copy of Smith's "Travels".

Received Smith's letter of 28 [January 1796]. Account of last Linnean Society meeting: [George] Shaw disappointed him in not taking the Chair as promised, but [Richard] Salisbury filled the place and read the papers; received papers from Colonel [George] Montagu [(1753-1815)] on 2 or 3 species of birds; a motion was made for the Society to treat with Smith for purchase of the Linnaean fossil collection he intends to sell, but doubtful the funds can be found. An artist has offered to give the Society a portrait of Smith if the members subscribe to a print of it.

[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert encloses a newspaper clipping [extant], stating that Smith has retired from London on a pension "granted by his pupil the Queen"; his concerns. [James] Sowerby has obtained Smith's parcel from [Olof] Swartz.

Received Smith's letter of 20 [September 1796]; pleased he has returned safely from Wales. [William] Kirby has been left the living of Coddenham, [Norfolk]. Still awaiting [Bracy] Clark's paper on 'Oestrus'. His despair at decline of the Linnean Society: at the last meeting there was neither President, Vice-Presidents, or Treasurer, and only two members besides himself, the members are £100 in arrears, the rules are not kept to, the museum is in confusion, the new volume of "Linnean Transactions" has been in the press for two years, "it is become a perfect lounge once a month for a few persons", and convinced it will grow worse on Smith's quitting London. Account of [Robert] Townson's [(1762-1827), natural historian and traveller] evasion of paying his Society subscription and his illiberal opinion of the Secretary and Treasurer.

Apologises for not replying sooner to Smith's letter of 23 [Sep 1796]. Disagrees with Smith's propositions respecting the new arrangement of the Linnean Society, Smith's child; "grieved to see the Father leave his Child to be supplanted by aliens & strangers" and is hurt to see it "neglected" when he thought it was about to rise "to the summit of perfection".

Reassures Smith that he will never be found "dishonorable or dishonest", and that any harsh expressions he used were intended for [Robert] Townson [(1762-1827), natural historian and traveller, in respect to his subscription arrears]; believes arrears should not extend beyond two years.

Directions for Smith to obtain box expected for him from Calcutta, before going through Customs House; Smith still has a friend at Court, Mr Dominicus, brother-in-law to [William] Kirby and Mrs Sutton. He is making two cabinets, one for insects and one for shells. [Jonas] Dryander presided [at Linnean Society] but was very ill "with the Piles". [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert also ill.

Papers for "Linnean Transactions" vol 3 plentiful, including ones by [John] Latham on "The Trachea of Birds" and [Bracy] Clark's paper. Sorry to hear that ideas have started for removing Smith from his Chair; reassures Smith he does not think so and thinks the best solution for Smith's absence is a "steady & active substitute", which [Jonas] Dryander is to undertake.

Attended a meeting of the Printing Committee with [Samuel] Goodenough and [Jonas] Dryander, where they closed the volume with Smith's paper on 'Salisburia'; Smith's paper on 'Myrti' and [Bracy] Clark's on 'Oestrus' "carry it rather beyond the limits we proposed". The evening meeting was very well attended; list of attendees; after the meeting [John] Rising [(1753-1817), portrait and subject painter] showed Smith's portrait which was "much admired" and a print subscribed to.

Received Smith's letter of 18 [June 1797]; thanks for his promise of help in naming specimens in the conchology cabinet he is prerparing as a gift, as he wishes to make it scientific.

Disagrees with Smith on proposed changes to Linnean Society regulations, particularly letting the places of Honorary Members fall vacant or to fill by ballot, which "entirely does away the Honor intended"; argues that there is no need to change the rules and regulations, considering the rapid growth of the Society over the last 9 years and the unrivalled harmony it has enjoyed, and to risk the introduction of "distrust & anarchy"; determined to oppose [William] Pilkington's [(1758-1848)] proposed amendment; argues in favour of retaining Honorary Members; [Samuel] Goodenough's own motion to set the position in law.

Disappointed to see 18 people at the Linnean Society at recent evening meeting, "a very large number for a private night", account of the balloting: Smith's friend [Robert John] Thornton [(c 1768-1837)] rejected with three blackballs, and two blackballs each against [James Webbe] Tobin [(d 1814)] and Revd [Henry Peter] Stacey, which is a new system they are starting; [Samuel] Goodenough's motion received 14 votes to 3 against, and [William] Pilkington's [(1758-1848)] amendment received 3 votes to 14. Lists those in attendance. Society business. Has since been informed that more people would have attended and blackballed Thornton had they known he was proposed.

Goodenough found 'Salix rubra' but [William] Curtis lost both cuttings and specimens.

At Smith's request forwarding three pairs of forceps. Unaware of Soho Square [home of Sir Joseph Banks] bearing any "undue influence" on Linnean Society elections, and assures Smith that the third person he suspects blackballed [Robert John Thornton (c 1768-1837)] actually voted for him. Pleased to hear Smith and [Lewis] Weston [Dillwyn ? (1778-1855), naturalist] "are going on with the 'Phalaena'".

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.

Read Smith's paper at last Linnean Society meeting to a "numerous audience", and never meets with less than 30 on a general night now, still short of papers for next meeting. Asks Smith's intentions for coming to London. Death of [Thomas] Pennant; thinks it a "shame" that none of his works were presented to the Society. Recently afflicted with "a severe fit of the stone". Requests description of 'Scarabaeus conspurcatus' if in Linnaean collections to clear confusion over it, and a magnified sketch by Mrs [Pleasance] Smith or one of his sisters. Criticises preface of Paykull's "Fauna Suecica", intends to attack both him and Fabricius in his own [for "Entomologia Britannica" (1802)].

Thanks for Smith's description of 'Scarabaeus conspurcatus', also requests its measurements. Sorry to hear Smith suffers so much with his health, and thanks Smith for recommendation of "Mephitie water" [for his kidney stones], which he took with some success in 1794, but is now suffering from them again. Confirms death of [Thomas] Pennant.