No summary available.

Has been suffering from gout which has prevented him from perusing the third volume of "Flora Britannica" and Dawson Turner's "Muscologiae Hibernicae Spicilegium". Asks whether 'Verbascum phoeniceum' has ever been considered indigenous to Britain.

Sends local 'Salix' specimens which may not be in "Flora Britannica"; believes the genus deserves a separate treatise on account of their "very great oeconomical uses". Has studied the genus for 4 years but has been unable to fix their characters, which he leaves to Smith; explains his specimen notes [extant]. Requests cuttings of 'S. rubra', 'S. croweana', 'S. nigricans', 'S. petiolaris', and 'S. mollissima' [Smith annotation: "will send them, & others, also our 'fragilis'"]. Requests Smith's opinion on the specimens he has sent.

Numbered, detailed observations on 11 'Salix' specimens, with annotations by Smith [5 pp].

Divinity is his principal study but always delighted to be diverted by natural history. Justifies his alterations of Smith's Latin in his previous letter and discusses Greek and Latin philology. Dr Vaughan "in high vogue" in Rochester. Has altered the title-page for "Flora Graeca" [extant, on a separate sheet]; explains his decisions. Asks if [John] Sibthorp applied Theophratsus' and Dioscorides' names to his plants. Shall look for his sketch of "the air plant"; gathered his ideas of its physiology from [Engelbert] Kaempfer [(1651-1716), German naturalist] and his directions to the Duchess' gardener for its management led to its only flowering in England. Hopes Smith is not making too many species of lichen in the 'crustacei' and 'leprosi' divisions, asks if they have been watched from year to year in their changes. Instructing Lady Mary Thynne [(d 1863), wife of John Thynne, 3rd baron Carteret (1772-1849)] in botany; will request specimens of [Dawson] Turner for himself and her. Saw [Thomas] Marsham and [Alexander] Macleay; thinks Marsham "overpowered with too much business".

His joy at receiving a letter from Smith. Pleased Mrs [Pleasance] Smith recovered her health through sea-bathing; Liverpool is "the most frequented bathing place in the kingdom". All his Liverpool friends "charmed" with Mrs Martin [Smith's sister] but concerned she is walking too long. Flattered by Smith's proposal to dedicate "Exotic Botany" to him.

Responds to points in Smith's previous letter: has not seen Captain [Thomas] Hardwicke, though received seeds and letter from him; [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] sent Lady [Amelia] Hume plants two months ago, and she sent back specimen of 'Humea elegans'; Shepherd hopes to send Cooper cuttings of 20 kinds of 'Passiflora' in the spring, their collection has considerably increased; safely received parrot tulip roots; will soon send packet of seeds from the gardens; observed the "minute criticism" [of Smith's "Flora Britannica"] in the "Monthly Magazine" and agrees the author must be handled "with tenderness". His "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo [the Tenth]" [(1805)] in final parts of fourth volume. Ordered "Annals of Botany" with "Exotic Botany". Glad of progress in his son [James, placed with Norfolk farmer Samuel Taylor] and [William Fitt] Drake.

Written on printed survey for Bingley's book "British Zoology" [2 pp], comprising a list of animals and three queries on habits and corrections. Thanks for Smith's comments on his "Tour of North Wales". Working on "British Zoology" alongside his county history [of Hampshire]; particularly using Sonnini and La Cepede. Requests introductions to naturalists, particularly [William] Markwick, [George] Montagu [(1753-1815), naturalist], and [Dawson] Turner.

Insists on sending Roscoe his ["Exotic Botany"] instead of him ordering it through booksellers, insisting it is not a return for copies of Roscoe's "Lorenzo" and "Leo"; relates anecdote about Sir Richard Jebb [first baronet (c 1729-1787), physician] to illustrate this. Thanks Roscoe for his concern about health of Smith's sister, Fanny [Martin], but assures him she is "naturally very strong". Responds to questions in Roscoe's previous letter concerning Captain [Thomas] Hardwicke, Mr Cooper, and [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden].

Defends his response to "the poor coxcomical "butterfly"" in the "Monthly Magazine" [criticism of Smith's "Flora Britannica"], which is to be first article in magazine next month, by reason of the same persons letter on the language of Linnaeus in 5th volume of magazine. Looking forward to receiving Roscoe's "Leo" and is enjoying [Thomas] Johnes' translation of Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler]. Hopes Roscoe will enjoy "Annals of Botany", to which he has sent a paper for the third number, due in January. Transcribes proposed title page for "Flora Graeca", in Latin, asks Roscoe's opinon. Praises maturity of James Roscoe. [William Fitt] Drake sends his compliments.

Received Smith's paper on "difficult set of plants" [for "Annals of Botany"]; wishes Smith had added specific characters to Andrew's species; agrees that 'Anotium' constitutes a genus but there are errors in referencing. Asks if attached specimen from Kew [extant] is a new species of 'Gompholobium'. Discusses 'Chorizema' [in reference to Smith's paper]; advises Smith to quote French original of Labillardiére's "Voyage"; a new species of 'Chorizema' with juster claim to name 'C. ilicifolium', encloses leaf [extant] to illustrate. Discusses drawings of fructification of Smith's genus. Mislaid his notes on the new gynandrous genus but will publish it as 'Ventenatia' at first opportunity.

A drawing of 'Ipomopsis elegans' by Mrs Delany is at Sir Joseph Banks'. In reference to Smith's paper, Banks' points out that is [Daniel] Solander had lived he would have arranged the plants in question, and that the two Forsters have never been at New Holland. Wonders who "this Caley" is, as he is not the Botany Bay [George] Caley [(1770-1829), botanist].

Specimen, possible 'Gompholobium'.

Small fragment of a plant, labelled "'Daviesia acicularis'?".

Except for Smith's communication and "a very absurd" paper on migration of birds by [John] Lyon there have been new new papers at last two meetings of Linnean Society, and they have nothing for the next meeting. Council meeting on Tuesday to discuss purchase of a house in Nassau Street. Knows nothing yet of Dr [William] Turton's [(1762-1835), conchologist] certificate but when it appears will speak out. Believes that any member who canvasses for blackballing a candidate after signing their certificate should be expelled from the Society; according to present regulations it now takes a third of members present to blackball a candidate.

No summary available.

Delayed in sending parcel of drawings for Smith's inspection, details of how he will do this. Defers invitation to Norwich. Notes on 'Dillenia aurea'. Thanks for "Exotic Botany" and introduction of his name in same.

No summary available.

[James] Dickson brought specimen of 'Linum trigynum' for [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert to determine; the same was in his Sirrenagur enumeration of "Asiatic Annual Register" 1800; will send drawing; observations. Will also send drawings of [William] Roxburgh's 'Capparis aphylla'; observations [annotation "not sent"]; and a 'Bignonia undulata' [annotation "sent"], which he had previously sent plants of to Calcutta Botanic Garden; observations.

Questions Smith on Linnaeus' published works, his acquisiton of the Linnaean collections, and progress of the Linnaean system in Britain, for new edition of [Richard] Pulteney's "A general view of the writings of Linnaeus". Intends to include a diary of Linnaeus he recently purchased. Asks if Smith is publishing "Lachesis Lapponica".

Difficulties of Smith's new work ["Flora Graeca"]. If beginning his botanical pursuits again he would make a work comprising the new or rare plants he has introduced; the next best thing he could do was to keep his collection as open to possible to draughtsmen such as [Ferdinand Lucas] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist] and [James] Sowerby, and [Henry Charles] Andrews [(fl 1790s-1830s), botanical artist] and [Sydenham Teast] Edwards [(1768-1819), botanical artist], though the former two have not had cause to use it. Initially averse to his name being given to any genus. He has not been so abundant in new plants since cutting of his communications with the Cape.

Hopes Smith received his last letter, in which there was "a hint respecting one of your baronets meant for your own eyes alone" [this letter is not extant in this collection]. Read [Anna Laetitia] Barbauld's "most excellent" introduction to [Samuel] Richardson's "Letters"; it is a "charming collection", but too long. Smith's "little friend" [his daughter, Marimane Johnes], to be as proficient in drawing as in music. His work on translation of Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] keeps two compositers and one press man fully employed; third volume finished though worried White is keeping them aside as he has not seen second volume yet.

Conservatory thriving under sole management of Mrs Johnes; she received two double red and double variegated 'Camellia' from the Duchess of Bedford [Georgiana Russell (d 1853)] and asks what sort of 'Bigonia' will thrive in conservatory and best time for them. Depending on the "majorities" intends to spend this year at home finishing his book.

Sends what he has so far written for the press of Linnaeus' Lapland tour ["Lachesis Lappoinca, or a Tour in Lapland" (1811)], and a few sheets of the original to give an idea of the figures; proposes having these traced to be engraved, as he is in constant need of the originals, having only the translation of the Swedish. Anxious to have something fixed as his translator, Carl Troilius, is expecting his payment of £60 by end of the year.

Thanks for notice of the £50, arrangements for transferring. Laments death of his "old friend" Lady Rockingham [Mary Watson-Wentworth].

No summary available.

No summary available.

Reports death, on 19 December, of Lady Rockingham [Mary Watson-Wentworth], ten days before Smith's box of biscuits and apples arrived. Mrs [Elizabeth] Weddell [Watson-Wentworth's step-sister] the sole executrix. Lady Rockingham was being treated by Dr Fraser and there were hopes she would recover, and she was not confined to bed any more than usual, but she died with water on the chest at about 5 o'clock in the morning.