Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Is supporting "R" [Richard Relhan] instead of Smith for professorship in order not to compromise himself, despite believing Smith to be better qualified. Believes the vice-chancellor [George Thackeray] will do the best thing for the university. Glad to hear that the Master of Caius College [Martin Davy] is not as ill as reported. Suffering from ill health himself.

At a loss on the subject of Hermodactyls, [an ancient Greek medicine], but is of the opinion that the gout medicine is composed of that root and that Dr Wilson of Yoxford, Suffolk, who has a medicine similar in taste and smell to that of the French, uses 'Colchicum'. Doubts whether 'Colchicum autumnale' is the same as that used in the Greek Pharmacopoeia. Asks Smith whether any of [John] Sibthorp's papers have any information on the Hermodactyl of the Greeks.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Had hoped Smith's letter would request his resignation as he is anxious about the governors of St John's and is too ill to go to Cambridge to vote.

Asks if Smith received her second set of papers [on vegetable physionomy].

Hopes to see Smith in London. Details of Mrs Stoddard's case regarding dispute over manor of Kirkland, [Cumberland]. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert in London and in much better condition than he expected; he has been in a "most alarming mental state". His plan for binding "English botany".

Questions Smith's reference of [Fredric] Hasselquist [(1722-1752) Swedish naturalist] as the authority for his claim at Royal Institution lecture that the biblical "lily of the fields" of Matthew 6:28 is 'Amaryllis lutea'. The lily is also mentioned in the Song of Soloman and biblical commentators speak of the lily as common in Palestine. Wishes to determine whether the lily is a garden or wild flower [for the annotated Bible D'Oyly prepared with Richard Mant for publication by the Society for Promotion of Christian Knowledge known as "D'Oyly and Mant's Bible" (1814 and later editions)].

Describes his journey after leaving Smith at Narford [home of Andrew Fountaine], travelling from Ely to Cambridge, before journeying on to Allerton [Hall, Lancashire] through a tremendous storm which on returning home he found had ripped up trees of 60 or 80 years growth. At Cambridge dined with Professor [William] Smyth [(1765-1849), historian] and recommended Smith to him [for his Cambridge botany professorship candidature] but he is under a "promise"; hears from multiple sources that Smith is considered the best qualified for the position, but rivals have either been ahead of Smith in their applications or are taking advantage of "supposed indecision" on Smith's part; St John's College the most adverse to Smith, but he believes if Smith maintains his high ground he will either succeed or "attach no small share of disgrace to the university".

Will send Smith tracings of [Charles] Plumier's [(1646-1704), botanist] drawings, but only copy two of the 'Scitamineae' not given in [Nikolaus von] Jacquin's "Fragmenta". Thanks Smith for the visits to Holkham and Narford [homes of Thomas William Coke and Andrew Fountaine, respectively]; on his return found his wife in much better health.

Mrs [Catherine] Lambert reports that [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert continues to have restless nights. Interested to see Smith's catalogue of Holkham manuscripts [home of Thomas William Coke], hopes Lady Cullum will be able to see the Raphael Delph at Narford [Hall, Norfolk, home of Andrew Fountaine].

Attended Royal Society anniversary and dinner with Sir Joseph Banks, Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough], Mr Lysons , Mr Marsden, [Edward] Rudge, and Mr Raper. Attended Linnean Society meeting; Lambert was in the chair and [William George] Maton also attended but [Alexander] Macleay still recovering from his "violent peripneumony". Concerned by [Thomas] Marsham's removal from Baker Street to Winchmore Hill. Convinced [William] Webb in Cambridge to put himself forward for Linnean Society; [Arthur] Biggs' [(1765-1848), curator of the [Cambridge] Physic Garden, nomination certificate for Associate put up. Asks if Smith has seen [William Elford] Leach's "[Zoological] miscellany"; does not approve of the "frequent new generic names".

Flattered by gratification Smith and [William] Roscoe received from their visit to Narford. Comments that whilst the English "for more than a century have been in the practice of purchasing minor curiosities in Italy, the French, "at one fell swoop", carried off the best statues, pictures, and the rarest books and manuscripts from the Vatican. Praises Roscoe. Will visit Smith in Norwich, [Norfolk], in the winter.