Introduces himself. Encloses specimen of an unknown 'Epilobium' [extant] gathered in the Grampian mountains, Scotland, cannot identify it from third edition of "[Compendium] Flora Britannica". Prasies "Flora Britannica".

Specimen of 'Epilobium'.

Two vacancies for FMLS following deaths of [Eugen Johann Christoph] Esper [(1742-1810), entomologist] and Tingry; [Alexander von] Humboldt and [Jean] Cuvier proposed. An additional vacancy has arisen following death of [Nikolaus von] Jacquin; [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert is to propose [José Antonio] Pavon, asks if Smith has any preferences other than [Augustin] de Candolle. Sees no problem in Smith signing the FMLS certificates, Sir Joseph Banks does the same at Royal Society.

Unable to support Smith's application in favour of Richard Rees becoming Officer at British Institution, as he no longer takes an active part in meetings.

Objects to DeWitt Clinton's candidature to Royal Society on grounds of his never having lived in England, or being as much a man of science as David Hosack, an American who was accepted on his talents. Believes accepting him in his position as President of the New York Society would set a precedent. Enquires after the Peterson family and wonders whether they have been detained at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] "by the charms of the ladies or the talents of the gentlemen".

Encloses letters from Colonel [Thomas] Hardwicke and the Archdeacon of Calcutta [Henry Lloyd Loring (c 1784-1822)] introducing himself to Smith. Offers to send seeds and plants for Smith as well as papers for "Linnean Transactions", possible subjects include: [William] Roxburgh's 'Orchis picta' (his 'Chrysobaphus roxburghii', Rumphius' 'Folium petolatum'); two species of [Robert] Brown's 'Broughtonia' which possibly form a distinct genus, (one is Smith's 'Epidendrum praecox'); and his 'Begonia paniculata'. A parcel of seeds has been dispatched for Smith, containing capsules of Smith's 'Rhododendron arboreum'; a new "arborescent species with snow-white flowers"; and his 'Lida aurita'.

Thanks Smith for turkey. News of Sir Joseph Banks: he "seems rather dull" and whilst he joins in any cheerful conversation he does not initiate them; takes Colchicum autumnale as soon as there is any sign of gout, the English preparation having all the effects of the French Eau Medicinal; spends twelve hours a day in bed and twelve out; Lady Banks "fatter than ever", so that Goodenough fears for her health.

Feels compelled to buy [William] Hone's [(1780-1842), political writer and publisher] account of his trial [for blasphemy]. Criticises Dr [Richard] Watson's [(1737-1816), bishop of Llandaff] book ["Anecdotes of the life of Richard Watson"] in part for showing how "weak and vain a great mind becomes, when it becomes absorbed in self importance". Expecting the first six weeks of Parliament to be stormy as strong measures against ministers are being proposed.

Introduces [Nathaniel] Wallich and proposes him as FLS. His official duties prevent him from pursuing his natural history interests. Compliments to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, [William George] Maton, [Alexander] Macleay, [Thomas] Marsham, [Edward] Rudge, and [Robert] Brown. Considering returning to England on an 1818-1819 ship.

Sends copies of his discourse on opening of the Liverpool Royal Institution for distribution. Details of two courses of lectures by [Thomas Stewart] Traill [(1781-1862), physician], on natural history, and Mr Campbell, on ancient and modern literature, from January to May; invites Smith to lecture in June and July, depending on his engagements. Taking an active part in public concerns of the Institution as a "counterpoise" to his troublesome business matters.

Will assist Smith's nephew, Edward Smith, as much as he can, though has never known so little business. Thanks for two prints of Smith's portraits. Enquires after Dawson and Mrs Turner's plant etchings. Hopes the Smiths will visit. Offers to send seeds of 'Verbascum virgatum'. Obliged for Smith's mention of him in 'Viola' article for Rees' ["Cyclopedia"], mentions 'V. pallum', 'V. fuciforme'. Working on English 'Rubus'; has found earlier botanists have confounded species. Believes [James] Sowerby could publish another 3 numbers of "English botany", excluding the cryptogamia.

Thanks for turkey and Smith's letters of 2 and 11 [January 1818]. Requests certificate for [DeWitt] Clinton's nomination as FMLS; at the last meeting both [Augustin de] Candolle and [José Antonio] Pavon were proposed, so there are now 4 candidates for 3 vacancies; concern at Clinton not attracting enough signatures, encloses note with suggested wording for certificate [extant].

Smith misinformed as to [Thomas] Marsham being a defaulter to government, concerned that the report originated from a statement of his own and explains the situation; no doubt of who Smith heard the information from, and the "sanctuary which has been shown in that quarter against the poor unfortunate man in question has disgusted" many. Impossible nature of the situation; prison only option, which denies all the work Marsham did for the Society.

Arrangements for visit by Smith to Cambridge [to canvas for botany professorship].

Introduces Professor [Edward] Everett [(1794-1865)], Professor of Greek Language at [Harvard University], Cambridge, [Massachusetts].

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Hopes Smith will lecture whilst visiting Cambridge. Recommends Dr [Martin] Davy as advisor for Smith. Update on Trinity College members' inclinations: Mr Powell intends to run for professorship and although his knowledge of botany is slight, as a former fellow many other fellows have promised their votes to him, however junior fellows more inclined to vote for Smith. Confident that Powell shall not succeed.

Discussion of melons: should not have dismissed Great Mogul before Smith tried it, and read of a fine variety brought from Persia by Sir Gore Ouseley [1st baronet (1770-1844)] but till he tastes it will stick with the Green Egyptian. Will determine whether the plant he sent Smith is 'Sonchus arvensis var' with seeds he saved. Low barometer readings during recent storm: 28.17 on Wedneday at Thirkleby and 27.95 at Gordon Castle, [Moray], their wind "trifling compared to its fury in the South" and no damage to his house built on hill but skylight and tiles on his son's house in Curzon Street, [London], were damaged and trees uprooted in Chesterfield Gardens.

Trying to find plants unattractive to rabbits and hares after having to cradle 'Pyrus japonica' sent by [James] Lee: has not ascertained whether it is true that they only interfere with transplants and not those sown directly; 'Rhododendron ponticum' grown in the wood, box and privet safe but American bird cherry, 'Hippophae', 'Aucuba japonica' and juniper destroyed. Convinced a neighbouring nurseryman to write his labels in the more durable Indian ink. Surprised to receive letter of thanks from Horticultural Society for the Newton pippin apples he sent to [James] Dickson. Intends to search for ferns and mosses by side of Hambleton, [Yorkshire], believes no botanist has been there before.

Gathering evidence on power of crossbills to kill young rooks; Norfolk Eton boys used to speak of them being shot with bolts. Mentions his son's growing interest in natural history, especially geology, and encloses specimen as example [undisclosed]. His health good but Lady Frankland gradually failing from complaint of several years standing from which none have ever recovered, she is frequently attended by Sir Everard Home and Atkinson of York.

Small sketch in ink of plant detail "'Aspidium thelypteris (from Mr Teesdale) confirms you descrip[tio]ns in "English Botany" by the length of lower leaves, very ill figured by [James] Sowerby".

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Due to illness unable to undertake next term's Walkerian lectures, asks Smith to deputise for him.

Accepts [Patrick] Keith's [(1769-1840)] apology regarding his "Linnean Transactions" paper, though believes Keith took unnecessary trouble to generate "feelings of hostility", and comments on Keith's attempt at justification in his book ["A system of physiological botany" (1816)], in which he blames a "confusion of language". Asks that an explanation be given in the next volume of "Linnean Transactions".

Identification of plants in Dioscorides.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Sorry that Smith met with opposition from Dr Clarke, professor of mineralogy, and Mr Cummings in trying to rearrange botany lecture room. Refutes Clarke's claims that he only ever gave one lecture on botany. Dr [Richard] Walker [(1679-1764) founder of Cambridge Botanic Garden] intended that the botanical garden should promote study of medicine with particular attention to poisonous plants and Martyn always read lecture on poisonous plants, inspired by Dr [William] Heberden's [(1710-1801) lecturer at Cambridge] Materia Medica lectures, however the medical quarter of garden has since been destroyed.

Received chest of books and letter Smith sent on 6 March. Had hoped to send Smith the last fasciculus of "Eclogae" and "Supplementum Collectaneorum" but prevented by sickness of his father [Nikolaus Jospeh von Jacquin], now sending them with "Synopsis Stapeliarum" in a chest directed to Sir Joseph Banks. In settling their long book account observes the higher price of eighth fasicuclus of "Icones plantarum"; is sending "Supplementum Collectaneorum"; unaware that Smith already had "Oxalis"; a mistake by the bookseller is the reason for Smith not receieving the fourth volume of "Hort. Schöenb.", urges Smith to take the copy at Mr Boydell's. Itemised accounts for Smith and Jacquin. Requests [William] Sole's "Menthae" and Smith's edition of Linnaeus' "Journey to Lapland". Next summer publishing last fasciculus of his father's "Stapeliarum" and continuing publication of "Eclogae" and "Grasses" ["Eclogae graminum rariorum"]. Thanks for "Compendium Florae Britannicae", "a model of a flora as every country should have one". Enquires after "the only perfect copy existing" of ["De Materia Medica"] of Dioscorides [(c 40-90) Greek physician] that Nikolaus von Jacquin lent [John] Sibthorp in Vienna before his first trip to Greece, to be returned after his journey, and whether Smith could claim it at the executors. Explains that the notes in "Eclogae" were written in German to evade Bonaparte's higher import tax on Latin books. Defends the right of German botanists to write in their own language as the French and English do. Received "Flora Graeca". [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia" is in Vienna but has not yet seen a copy.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Sorry to hear of the measures the tutors have taken against Smith's proposed lectures. [Several tutors signed a paper addressed to the Vice-Chancellor stating that pupils should not be permitted to attend lectures given by a lecturer who was neither a member of the university nor of the Church of the England].