Learned that JH has been ill since returning from Slough. Please visit soon.

Sent JH's paper on mother-of-pearl and paper on hyposulfurous acid to David Brewster. Tell Brewster of JH's discovery of optical structure in crystals of bicarbonate of potash. Would Brewster accept paper from JH enlarging the definition of crystals?

Wishing CB success in his efforts to obtain the position of professor at Edinburgh. Relates details of his recent experiments with bicarbonate of potash.

No summary available.

Sends a grass for determination, which he thinks 'Aria caespitosa' [Smith has annotated "yes" in margin]; gathered it from Ben Lomond in 1812.

Received Smith's letter of 16 September, pleased he is "assisting the cause of Botany in Liverpool" [establishment of botanic garden] and hopes to see some of [Nathaniel] Wallich's Nepalese plants there. Wallich "works like a horse" dispatching plants from Calcutta Botanic Garden around the world. Hopes to return to England in 1821. His studies have focused on zoology rather than botany, receiving specimens from Nepal through Wallich's intercourse, the country is rich in 'Phasianus'. Has a "fine Alligator's head for the Society", 'Crocodilus' of [George] Shaw, and a 'Gangeticus' [gharial], figures in Shaw ["General Zoology"?] are "wretched". Pleased Smith has grown a 'Rhododendron' from the seeds he sent, would like the credit of introducing the first Indian species to England, "they do not thrive in the moist air of Bengal". Has requested latest volumes of "Linnean Transactions" and "Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society" from [William George] Maton.

No summary available.

Is anxious to receive his article on hyposulfurous acid as the volume is almost ready for the printer.

Sends a paper on mother of pearl; apologizes for confused state of paper on hyposulfurous acid.

No summary available.

Received Smith's letter of 10 June. Intends to come to London as soon as his leg has recovered, hopes to see Smith. Thinks Smith will find [Nathaniel] Wallich an excellent correspondent. Mentions an accident happening to boxes Smith sent to Edinburgh. Has seen little of Rees's "Encyclopedia" but hopes Smith will persist in publishing a Mantissa, urges Smith to use his collections in the East India Company's library, has no intention of using it for himself. Has had difficulties in publishing his work on fish and is disillusioned with dealers and booksellers. Also publishing his tables of the "Hindu Genealogies", hopes it will lead to a "much greater extent of historical knowledge than was thought to exist". Attempting to acclimatise foreign plants in a wooded glen near his house, asks Smith to send any seeds or roots that might be suited to such conditions, especially English orchids.

No summary available.

Has just returned from Lincolnshire. Will shortly be visiting Torquay. Would like to call on him if convenient. Has heard of a vacant professorship at Edinburgh University and may try for it. Gives an equation of W. H. Wollaston's.

Received JH's profile. Glad William Herschel's portrait is taken. WW has one from forty years ago. Lady Watson not well. Requests information about 'the comet.' Happy for account of Beckwiths.

Is going to Edinburgh to apply for the post left vacant by John Playfair's death. Would JH and his father give him certificates and references? [Note by Mrs. CB to the effect that her husband has heard that James Ivory will not be contesting the professorship at Edinburgh].

JH understands CB to be a candidate for a professorial chair, and JH writes a warm letter of support.

Has made his own experiments on growth of wood similar to those of [Jean-Baptiste] Du Hamel as described by Smith in "Introduction to Botany" and offers one to the Linnean Society. Also offers a specimen of petrified moss.