Has just returned from Lewis [Lewes], Sussex, surprised to find herbarium of [Peter Simon] Pallas in possession of [John Marten] Cripps [(1780-1853) traveller and antiquary]. It contains all the plants of "Flora Rossica", Gmelin's "Flora Sibirica", and Pallas' "Travels". Also complete collection of Forster's plants, and several of Sir Joseph Banks' South Sea plants, Pallas being the only person Banks sent any to. Pleased with Smith's "Exotic Botany". A "curious conversation" at Soho Square, asks Smith if he [Lambert] ever signed Dr T's certificate [Robert John Thornton (1768-1837) physician and writer on botany, angered several botanists in pursuit of completing his work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus"].

Thanks for turkey. Interested by Smith's account of his "poisoning plan", Sir Jospeh Banks says it will "eat up plants & paper in the course of two or three years". Asks when Smith will begin publication of "Lapland Journey". Clarifies conversation relating to [Robert John] Thornton [(1768-1837) physician and writer on botany], part of a dispute involving Mr Caley publishing unprovoked assaults on Lambert in the "Imperial Review". Sends a box of "Lambert nuts", believes it to be a new species, relates how his father grew first tree in country hence their common appellation. Relates coincidence of [Jonas] Dryander and [Charles] Konig also both knowing them as "Lambert nuts" from their respective Sweden and Germany, but from the German for "long-bearded". [Peter Simon] Pallas mentions it in his "Travels in the Crimea".

Met [William] Westall [(1781-1850) painter and engraver] at Sir Joseph Banks' just returned from [Matthew] Flinders' [(1774-1814) naval officer] expedition [to circumnavigate Australia]. His plant specimens were wrecked on a sandbank but he saved his drawings. Would like Smith to arrange an introduction to Westall as he is a relative. Received seeds from Lady [Amelia] Hume. A dispute between Banks and [Robert John] Thornton [(c 1768-1837), physician and writer on botany] originating from Thornton applying for Banks' portrait [for inclusion in "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus"]. Thornton also in a "sad scrape" with [William George] Maton for obtaining a copy of Maton's engraving of Linnaeus from his engraver.

[Letter incomplete: half of second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Has been excavating tumuli near Stonehenge with Sir Richard Hoare, research for Hoare's "History of Ancient Wiltshire". His "Girald Cambren" ["Giraldus de Barri"] to be published next winter. Hoare's is "the largest private library" he ever saw, including an unnamed book with an excellent figure of papyrus growing in Sicily. Unsurprised by Smith's comments on [Richard] Salisbury, has "long thought him to belong to the tribe of Ishmael". Pleased with [William George] Maton's work but disappointed he does not mention the Linnaean collections or present state of botany ["A general view of the writings of Linnaeus"]. Will send Smith a list of his herbarium. Wants [William Fitt] Drake to see if there are many duplicate specimens of 'Fosteria' in Forster's herbarium. Arrival of [William] Roxburgh who has brought seed collections. Received live plants and seeds from Dr [Thomas] Dancer [(c 1750-1811) island botanist of Jamaica] including 'Cinchona caribaea', believes this to be first raised in England. States that his 'Ochroma' are now one of "the most magnificent botanical sites in the kingdom". Disappointed Smith is not visiting this summer.

[William George] Maton is teaching botany to the women of the Royal Family; spends two hours a day with the Queen [Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III] and reads with Princess Elizabeth who is "determined to become an expert British botanist". The Queen bought Gaertner on Maton's recommendation. They are forming a herbarium of marine plants, "the monarch himself often comes in to see them at their labours" and Smith and [Samuel] Goodenough's names are often mentioned. Has sent a capsule of the 'Ochroma' which the Queen intends to grow at Frogmore.

Informed by [George] Jackson that [Jonas] Dryander "is quite restored to botany" and is publishing a paper in [Charles] Konig's "Annals" on "Chloris Novae Hollandiae". Received first part of Labillarière's "New Holland Plants". Has specimens of 'Solanum pyracanthos' for [James] Sowerby. Received seeds from [Antonio José] Cavanillies which are in no other collection except at Kew. Has raised from seed twenty plants of 'Cinchona caribaea'. Pleased with Smith's account of "our friend Sarum" [Richard Salisbury] in "Exotic Botany". Has sent Sowerby complete specimens of the "Lambert nut". Has received first part of [Alexander von] Humboldt's and [Aimé] Bonpland's "Plantae aquinoetiales". Requests specimen of 'Trapa natans'.

Remarks on compliment "Sarum" [Richard Salisbury] has paid Smith in his "Paradisus [Londinensis]", points out errors viz. 'Castalia sacra' does not open in the morning but the evening and the figure of 'Castalia magnifica' is taken from a small specimen. If Smith wishes to give a better figure of it offers to obtain one twice as big from "Fleming's Drawings" for him. Would not be surprised if Salisbury is forced to change the title of his work to "Paradise Lost". Has heard from the Marquess [of Blandford, George Spencer-Churchill] that he [Salisbury] is not likely to have the honour of "describing them minutely"at Whiteknights, [Reading, Berkshire].

Thanks for promise of specimen of 'Trapa natans'. Has sent specimens of the "Lambert nut" in all its stages to [James] Sowerby for possible inclusion in "Exotic Botany". Received from Gaertner first part of his "continuation of the Carpology". Received letters from [William] Roxburgh who has plenty of work [for Lambert] with his Flora although his herbarium is very small. Roxburgh having difficulties finding a house big enough for his large family. [George] Jackson saw "our worthy friend" [probably Richard Salisbury] looking for seeds of 'Convolvulus' and saying Smith was mistaken about them. Intends to ask Salisbury when he intends to publish new edition of his "Paradise Lost" ["Paradisus Londinensis"]. An unnamed "certain person" whose affair with Forster and Lambert deserves him "to be hurt". Would like Smith's opinion of [William George] Maton's new work ["A general view of the writings of Linnaeus"], reviewed by Thornton in the "Monthly Epitome".