Smith's canvassing for Cambridge professorship. Will shortly visit Smith in Norwich if the Norfolk election is not contested. [Jacob] Bigelow and his possible elections to Royal Society and Linnean Society. A "large serpent" has appeared in the sea "again", although changed enough in appearence for no notice to be taken of the "lumps upon his back" and with a head 14 feet long, relates remarks from Bigelow who compares it to a serpent that appeared off Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Explains how he came to miss Smith the last time he was in London.

Has been reading some of Smith's papers, awed by his industry. Will shortly visit Smith in Norwich before going onto Paris with his brother. Has received a letter from Sir Joseph Banks, who thinks the "snake" is the same as that which visited the coast last autumn.

Had always considered that the plates [Nikolaus von] Jacquin gave [John] Sibthorp were a gift and not a loan, following communications from [Joseph von] Jacquin to the contrary; Sibthorp had intended to use them to explain the text of Dioscorides; believes they were destroyed in a fire; on a visit to Vienna in 1798 neither of the Jacquins mentioned the claim now brought. Transcribes a response for Smith to communicate to Jacquin. Leaves decision over 'Mandragora' to Smith.

Parcel of specimens for Smith sent via Captain Williamson, commander of the Larkins. Hopes to send larger collection shortly, including expected Nepalese plants, which he hopes will add to Smith's Nepalese plants received from [Francis] Buchanan. Hopes to send specimens of plants described by Smith in "Exotic Botany" and [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia", including: oaks, 'Orchideae', 'Paris polyphylla', 'Primula', 'Rhododendron', plus other specimens, including: 'Hedychium', 'Andromeda', 'Arbutus', 'Gaultheria', a large number of ferns, 'Ligustrum', 'Fraxinus', 'Gramina', etc. Warns Smith that some of the labels on the first package may be erroneous.

His affairs; thanks Smith for advice, and begs him to approach Banks.

Directions for various parcels for Smith to forward. Reviews [Jacob] Bigelow's "Medical Botany". Invites Smith to visit on his way to Liverpool. Fears he may have been "very presumptuous" with Lady Smith in "thinking so highly of Byron". Planning to ask Sir Joseph Banks to introduce Bigelow as a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Pleased Smith is in Derby and anticipates their introduction. [Francis] Boott delayed in London.

Asks if the enclosed plant [not extant] is the 'Yucca aloifolia'. Delighted with the pamphlet Smith left for him [annotated in pencil is "The considerations respecting Cambridge"].

Sending to Norwich a box of books including [Charles Athanase] Walckenaer's "Memoires des Abeilles Solitaires"; [Kurt] Sprengel's "Species umbelli ferarum minus cognitae"; a parcel from [Olof] Swartz; seeds, possibly Indian; a parcel from Vienna containing ninth and tenth fasicules of [Joseph Franz von] Jacquin's "Eclogae"; [Nikolaus Joseph Freiherr von Jacquin's] "Collectanea" and "Synopsis Stapeliarum"; and a letter from [Brownlow North], Bishop of Winchester, containing flowers of a 'yucca'. [Alexander] Macleay has just left for Scotland for two months. Question on presentation of two plates for Smith's article on 'Rhizomorpha medullaris' in "Linnean Transactions". Sir Joseph Banks is well.

Thanks Smith for his letter of condolence on the death of her [brother-in-law, Thomas Anson (1767-1818) 1st Viscount Anson] and the hymn he wrote.

Franked Smith's letter to Mr Napier. Hopes Smith had a good class for his lectures in Liverpool. Goodenough was sent a Bristol Gazette containing an extract on Smith's Cambridge pamphlet and erroneous remarks stating that the duty of Cambridge tutors is to find out the truth; in fact it is to teach young people the settled principles of the Establishment. Requests name of enclosed plant [not extant, Smith has annotated 'Sisyrinchium striatum'] and makes observations. Enquires after Smith's Cambridge prospects [for botany professorship]; notes his opponents have taken a firm stand against him.

Introduces Dr Yelloly, who intends to practice in Norwich, [Norfolk].

Satisfied with the "malignity" of Monk's pamphlet [written in response to Smith's Cambridge pamphlet]; hopes Smith will not attempt to answer it.

Thanks for Wallich's letter and those from Colonel [Thomas] Hardwicke and [Henry Lloyd] Loring [(c 1784-1822), Archdeacon of Calcutta]. Would be glad to receive communications and specimens from Wallich, especially of 'Scitamineae', 'Orchideae', and 'Liliaceae', which are rare in herbariums due to the difficulty of drying them, gives instructions for successfully doing this. Would also like specimens of [William] Roxburgh's 'Aeginetia', any 'Orobanche', and parasitic plants. Glad that Wallich is in correspondence with [William] Roscoe and [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836)] of the Liverpool Botanic Garden; requests ripe fructifications of ferns for Shepherd's nephew [Henry Shepherd (c 1783-1858), assistant at Liverpool]. Divided Wallich's seeds with the Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North], who propagates cinnamon trees from seeds ripened in his own hot-house. Has yet to receive the other packet containing 'Rhododendron arboreum'. Prefers single letters without covers on account of the postage cost, and that specimens be sent to [Nathaniel] Kindersley in London.

Thanks Smith on subject of epitaph for [Henry] Kirke White [(1785-1806), poet] , unsure whether to speak to [William] Roscoe about it or go with his original intention to "make his monument his name alone". Asks Smith to remind [Edward] Rigby of his promise to Boott should an enlarged edition of "Holkham, its agriculture" be published. Pledges his support to Smith over Cambridge dispute.

Expresses his concern at being caught "without a Cinnamon", now unable to pursue botany and "even obliged to borrow a hand for writing".

Describes his return journey from Liverpool, which included a stop at Matlock, [Derbyshire], to climb on Cromford Moor, "often celebrated in "English Botany"", for the first time since 1792; saw many lichens but concludes the dry summer has prevented their fructification. Has informed [Thomas William] Coke about Roscoe's intended visit. The Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North] delighted by his Cambridge pamphlet; finds it curious that four Oxford bishops approve of his candidacy for Cambridge botany professorship.

Received a "curious work" by Sprengel ["Plantarum Umbelliferarum" (1813)] in which 'Umbelliferae' is reformed as successfully as 'Scitamineae' was by Roscoe; transcribes a Greek quote referring to himself. Encloses packet of New Holland fern seeds. Lists stipulations if the [Liverpool Royal] Institution should invite him to lecture again, would also stay two months to study the Botanic Garden for a long held project on garden plants.

[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]

Death of Sir Joseph Banks' sister, [Sarah Sophia Banks (1744-1818)]; unsure how he and Lady Banks will cope without her as she managed everything at Soho Square. Sends two specimens for identification [not extant]; one used to be called 'Oenothera purpurea' or 'mollissima', the other like a 'Chrysanthemum'. Hears that [John] Barrow [(1764-1848), promoter of exploration] is "triumphing not a little" in the prospect [John] Ross' [(1777-1856), Arctic explorer] expedition [to find the North West Passage]. Will plant 'Corydalis' seeds next spring as Smith sent them so late. Asks if [Edward] Rudge was elected for Evesham, Worcestershire. Supposes [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's brother-in-law, Benett, ruined through electioneering. Strife in Westmorland carrying on with "acrimony".

Encloses engraving [extant] of a fossilised tree about 30 feet high, which was standing in 1803 on cliffs at Bog Hall near Newbiggen, Northumberland; fragments of other trees, at the time the drawing was taken, were scattered on the shore. He is on his way to Oxford but had intended to call on Smith in Norwich to enquire about preserving birds with "corrosive sublimate", as practised by one of Smith's friends.

Engraving of fossilised tree.

Intends to winter in South of France and reside in Nice; requests introductions. Suffering from serious indisposition which makes him dread an English winter.