Has suffered from "a most fiery boil" on his nose for the last week. Intends to send a botanical paper for next Linnean Society meeting from [Constantine Samuel Rafinesque] Schmaltz of Palermo, [Sicily], once he has finished correcting the "ludicrous" English. Surprised and happy to see [Thomas] Marsham here in the autumn.

He and his nose better; like Macleay he is of "an inflammatory constitution, w[hi]ch requires care, but is better than a low one pronce to typhus, gangrene, cancer, & a long list of blue devils". Sent a turkey to Macleay. Will rejoice to join Macleay's club [probably Linnean Dining Club] "with all my heart". Hopes to bring his wife, [Pleasance Smith], to London in April, or sooner if they can visit the William Smith on the way.

Thanks for drawings and "curious residium of burnt banknotes". Thinks it would be more valuable to keep the copyright of "English botany" as a perpetual source of income rather than selling it. Returning drawings for "English botany" no.244 and "Flora Graeca", finishing the third fasciculus. Has named and returns Sowerby's Labrador plants, except 'Swertia rotata' and true Linnaean 'Campanula uniflora', and his Irish 'Agrostis'. Requests return of German book on fungi. Sends specimens of 'Carex salina' and 'C. ustulata', with another 'Eriophorum' from "indefatigable" George Don.

[Draft of Sowerby's reply, in pencil:] Sends plants and drawings.

He has been at Carlton House, [London, home of the Prince Regent, later George IV (1762-1830)]: agreed that Macleay and all the vice-presidents of the Linnean Society should attend the first levee, expected next week, and Macleay to have the page ornamented [for the Prince to bestow his patronage on the Society].

Safely returned home, his departure necessitated by his being "feverish weak" and unable to attend to anything; treating himself with James's powder but "felt so sudden a relief even at Mile End, [...] as if some great mental as well as bodily evil were suddenly taken off". Urges Macleay to change his situation as recommended, as though many have "a frame of adamant, a soul of fire" [Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), writer] and can bear the airs of London, "many sink under them"; recounts how he himself "struggled for 7 years in [Great] Marlbro' Street".

Received Macleay's packet but only just able to respond; much pleased with the address. "What an alarming thing is this murder!". Nursing himself in order to be able to travel to London in stages to finish his lectures and attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting, which he has never yet missed.

Too ill to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting, the first time he has missed "that happy & flattering day". He is now trying bark for his fever, and hopes to be in London for 2 June to finish his lectures, "a great object" to him. His "dear friend & relation", Mrs Kindersley, has just died, leaving 8 children. Will ask the Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] to preside at Society meeting.

Still ill, and can "hardly go up or down stairs without exhaustion", though the bark has stopped his intermittent fever many times. He and the Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] agree on electing the Bishop of Durham [Brownlow North] an Honorary Member, will appoint the vice-presidents by letter, as he did with [Thomas] Marsham.

Still too ill to attend tomorrow's Linnean Society meeting; acknowledges honour of being re-elected President; hopes to attend last meeting of the season on 16 June; his regret at meeting the anniversary meeting for the first time, appoints by letter Samuel Goodenough, Aylmer Bourke Lambert, Thomas Marsham, and William George Maton as vice-presidents.

Thanks Macleay for being so prompt in sending account of the Linnean Society anniversary meeting. His health is improving so much that he hopes soon to come to London, attend the Linnean Society, wait on the Prince Regent [later George IV (1762-1830)], and perhaps finish his lectures. Asks that [Robert] Brown forward the seeds from Paris waiting for him at Sir Joseph Banks'.

Still too ill to go to London; his current progress; hopes to go to Lowestoft, [Suffolk], in 10 days. Asks Macleay to inform Colonel [Thomas] Hardwicke about Smith's illness. May come to London in the autumn to attend the Prince Regent [later George IV (1762-1830)].

Going to the seaside to recruit his strength after a long illness so only able to send half a dozen of Winch's desiderata of rarities; writing to Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] for 'Galium witheringii'. Thanks for the mosses. [Dawson] Turner and [William Jackson] Hooker both well, but like himself have "very little time for correspondence, except of the most urgent kind".

[On recto of second folio] Various lists of plants sent January 1811; July 1812; 26 July 1813; 6 October 1813; "sent to Sowerby", letter sent to Smith 13 May 1813; some notes [in Winch's hand, 3 pp, see RelatedMaterial below].

Feels in better health than for the last 12 months. Received letter from [Olof] Swartz informing him that [Erik] Acharius is complaining over lack of acknowledgement of the lichens he sent. Intends to forward book on Swedish botany received for Linnean Society once he has looked over it. Wrote to Colonel [John] McMahon [(c 1754-1817), Private Secretary to the Sovereign 1811-1817] as Macleay suggested.

At [Thomas William] Coke's request encourages Roscoe to visit Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Coke]; describes the delights there including pictures, statues, books, drawings, manuscripts, and prints. Anxious for Coke and Roscoe to become private and public friends, which would be valuable if Roscoe or his son became MP for Liverpool this year as rumoured. Additional incentives of Coke's farming skills and knowledge and visiting [the Smiths] in Norwich.

Looking forward to seeing Roscoe. Saw [Thomas William] Coke at Norwich Sessions Ball. William Smith won Norwich election; further details including failure of other party's "grossest avowed bribery" and changing candidates from Paterson to Harvey.

Plans for their visit to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Coke]: proposes meeting Roscoe at Swaffham, [Norfolk], so they can arrive at Holkham together; his mother proposes that his sister, Mrs Martin, accompany Roscoe south before going onto Norwich; Dawson Turner will meet them at Holkham and they will also visit [Andrew] Fountaine at Narford, [Norfolk], to see his Raphael "pots & pans" and Italian manuscripts.

His sister Mrs Lloyd nearly well; he cares little for her husband. Recommends that Roscoe travels to Norfolk in his own chaise, as coaching across the country is "bad & tedious".

Disappointed by Roscoe's postponement of Holkham [home of Thomas William Coke] visit and Liverpool election results; plans to devote himself to botany and hopes to see Roscoe at Holkham in the spring. His sorrow at Roscoe missing out on meeting Coke; praises his character. [Andrew] Fountaine has offered Roscoe the entire use of his Italian manuscripts copied at Florence, and opportunity to look over the finest collection of Raphael ware anywhere except at Loretto, [Italy].

Congratulates Macleay on the recovery of his daughter's health. Encloses paper received in a packet for Linnean Society. He is so "very pressed" by Rees' "Cyclopedia" and third part of "Florae Graecae prodromus" he is unable to do anything else, and has cancelled a trip to Holkham [Hall, home of Thomas William Coke]. William Smith to sleep here tonight after his election victory, "not so much that of a party man as a good man", both Norwich members now FLS [other member Charles Harvey].

Thanks [William George] Maton for prescription of "powdered chamomile flowers" for his autumnal headaches.

Reply to Goodenough's letter dated 25 September 1812; will pacify Mr Holme's botanical pride, should it become necessary. Cannot change his name for 'Carex rariflora' as it is already printed in a current book, as well as it being difficult to find new names for so large a genus; Goodenough's suggestion of 'nivalis' is suitable to many exotic ones. [Dawson] Turner busy "being all things to all men & women", and printing a "Lichenographia Britannica" with [William] Borrer.

Discussion of domestic and international affairs: the new Parliament will not find their business easy; fears Britain will have to give up Spain; Britain making America a maritime power; sees comfort in Russia [Napoleon's failed invasion of Russia]. Received account from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Sir Joseph Banks: Lambert has found 'Carduus tuberosus', it is as obstinate a weed as '[Carduus] arvensis'. Smith intends to follow the the thirty-sixth, and final, volume of "English Botany" with the fourth volume of "Flora Britannica", and has finished the third part of "Florae Graecae Prodromus".