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.

Received specimens of what appears to be 'Zannichellia [palustris]?', gathered from a Bradford canal by [Edward] Pigott [(fl 1790s-1800s)], a marine botanist; observations; wishes to know whether to forward it to [James] Sowerby. Asks after progress of "Flora Britannica" and "Flora Graeca". Invites criticism of his "Illustrationes Theophrasti".

Busy with the National Schools for the Education of the Poor. Received Smith's shilling in the post and notes it was not tampered with; wishes others were as careful as Smith in ensuring their correspondence is not chargeable to the recipient, as the "vain-glorius Lancaster" [probably John Lancaster (1778-1838), Quaker and public education innovator] did to him in sending a copy of his "seditious" speech in Ireland and an Irish newspaper. Refuses to join the Linnean Dining Club as he does not wish to have his carriage waiting so publicly outside the British Coffee House, the chosen venue for it. Unsurprised to read that "riot & robbery stalk abroad uncontrolled", and even expected it considering how the upcoming generation of men educated upon Lancaster's plan were kept from religious notions and now have a "very general indifference with respect to all religion". No Linnean Society news, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert "enamoured of being in the Chair". Currently preparing two arduous sermons.

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.

Thanks for supply of turkeys. Mr Brown visiting Smith on the subject of 'Tetradynamie', praises Brown for the work he has achieved on it. Would like [Sir William Jackson] Hooker to inform Banks where to obtain the "Keland[?]" book with a view to a new translator. Dr Wright visiting Banks and informs him the garden in Edinburgh will advance very fast with the new gardener.

Arrangements for visiting Smith. Criticises the writing of Dr [Walter ?] Wade and Mr Schmaltz [possibly Constantino Samuel Rafinesque-Schmaltz], particularly the latter's work on 'Verbena nodiflora'. First meeting of the Linnean Club taking place today.

Sends seeds.

Previously sceptical of the fiorin grass called 'Agrostis stolonifera', or couch, but now convinced on its excellent qualities and on encouragement of Dr Richardson and Mr Miller set to convert his "dreary moors" to "the finest hay grounds". He is also improving a new farm which was only £20 rent, expecting in a few years for it to be worth hundreds, independent of the trees; he shall be "a better compatriot than either Pall Mall or Manchester Square [both in London] can boast of". Comments on an event that was a "total dereliction of principle & of all honourable feeling" and is very sorry for his country.

Has known [Thomas William] Coke since childhood at Eton [College, Berkshire], but ashamed to have never taken up any of his many invitations to Holkham, [Norfolk]. Struggling to catalogue his books. The weather is "miserably wet". Does not think his wife will ever regain her spirits to enjoy company.

Experienced a mild winter with primroses in full flower on 30 January, though March was severe. His apricot trees which he protected with copper plate printers' canvas, recommended by Sir Joseph Banks, [Thomas] A[ndew] Knight [(1759-1838)], and [James] Dickson as being superior to Buntine, have many flowers.

Unconvinced by some authors claims that ivy is injurious to trees as it dies if separated from the root; plants of his cut three months ago are showing no sign of decay and neglect of ivy in his gardens has caused much injury but they are now attacking it on trees and transferring it to walls. Mr Knight's peas are not worth cultivating, they produced inferior quantity of seed over two seasons which is now all saved for a third crop. Knight's method for obtaining large onions failed twice as they always run to seed in second year.

Smith's 'Conferva urceolata' is [William] Hudson's 'nigrescens' but could not find it in his drawings as [Lewis Weston] Dillwyn [(1778-1855)] still has them, complains he has had them too long and requests Smith's assistance in recovering them.

Encloses note [extant] from Mr [James] Hoy dated Gordon Castle, [Scotland], 18 Dec 1811, thanking Frankland for specimen of 'Scheuzeria' and detailing the extent of the [Alexander Gordon, 4th] Duke of Gordon's [(1743-1827)] estates.

Recently "whip grafted" 'Ilex' on common oak, having been unsuccessful in the common way, and has one 14 feet high plant cleft-grafted on common oak in uncommon health. They were taken from 100 year old wild trees which are much more hardy than his native trees of beech, lime, sycamore, and horse chestnut, which have graudually died since an unmerciful thinning in 1785, though the 'Ilex' seems uninjured.

Smith's 'Glaucium' was in flower last November, and some raised from seed had yellow flowers. Packed 'Nuphar' seeds received from [James] Brodie in earth, paper, and matting, and sunk with stone in a hard water stewpond secreted by planatation.

Illustrates "lamentable colouring" of 'Ulva plumosa' in "English Botany", which should have been "sap green", as in small coloured sketch [extant]; forgot to send one of the late flowering Gordon Castle, [Scotland], specimens. The late "tormenting" wife of [Alexander Gordon, 4th] Duke of Gordon [(1743-1827)] is now on road to be buried in Scotland and he has never been so happy.

Grafting: in [Thomas] Martyn's edition of [Philip] Miller's "The gardener's and botanist's dictionary" root grafting described as "a newer invention" but has succeeded in whip grafting 'Ilex' onto common oak, and surprised to find root grafting accurately described and extolled in Lowthorp's "Abridgement" vol 2 p.654. Delayed in coming to London by son's illness.

'Salix caprea' "Flora Britannica" is abundant in his woods but called 'sauve', reference to Marshall's "Yorkshire Glossary" "Saus - 'Salix caprea'". Found "host of holly natural layers, & shall layer some hundreds".

Discussion of apple trees: received "Downton pippin, Golden Harvey, Grange apple, & Foxley" from Hereford. Canker developed on his south wall Newton pippin which had fine crops for two years, observed with a lens the destruction of the eggs and insects under the diseased bark with turpentine. Forsyth says train oil is used in Kent, Forsyth himself prefers Torp seeds with terrie, thinks turpentine is as efficacious, plus more fluid and searching and its evaporation does not clog pores. Recommends Indian ink for nurserymens labels as it does not wash out.

Sketch of 'Ulex plumosa'.

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].

Thanks Smith for revising his paper on 'Bertolonia'. Hopes Smith has received the other papers he sent on two new species of lobster; a new species of 'Echensis'; and a new species of tuber. Observes that "a sort of fatality" seems attached to [Franciscus] Cupani's "Panphyton Siculum", with Cupani, Bonanni and Chianelli, and now himself failing to finish their work on it; asks for Smith's assistance in getting it published in London. Asks whether any English publishers would take up three of his manuscripts: "Flora Sicula", "Sicilian Zoology", and "Critiques des Genres". List of nine botanical works he would like Smith to acquire for him.

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.

Hopes Smith will be able to preside at the Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Asks if anything has been done about the Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington] being elected an Honorary Member of the Society. Forsees "dreadful evils" following the "atrocities which have taken place", makes him lament more the death of [Thomas] Dampier [(1749-1812)].

Transcribes extract from letter just received from a friend, the governor of Banda [islands in the Indonesian archipelago]: collecting plants into his garden and requests to know the desiderata in England, and how they are described; requests Smith's assistance on strength of a book of his he has just read and describes the advantages of his location. Johnes forbears on commenting on the politics or the state of that country. Now has a daily post to and from London.

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.

Just come from Gerrard Street [Linnean Society anniversary meeting], all regretted Smith's absence. Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington] unanimously elected an Honorary Member. Delivered Smith's note for [William] Borrer to [Dawson] Turner.