Thanks for plants, especially the mosses and ferns, her "peculiar favourites". Hope they will meet Lady [Pleasance] Smith in the spring. Wishes Smith could admire the flowers in her garden. Hopes the translation of Jussieu is not suspended; eager to see him in "an English dress".

[Postscript by Susan E Corrie, daughter of Susan Corrie]: thanks Smith for his remembrance of them; they read his book every night.

Had intended to speak to Smith in person until hearing of death of Smith's mother. Offered position of Professor of Botany of Glasgow University; requests assistance and information from Smith on lecturing, asks for any book recommendations or published botany lectures.

Planning to come to London in April or May to attempt to settle at India House the remainder of his natural history collection and unless easily arranged "the whole for me may go to the devil". Hopes Smith received a copy of his "Hindu Genealogies".

Regrets that he has already promised his votes for the Medical Tancred Studentships for 1821 and 1823 have already been promised, for Mr Woodward and Mr Austin, respectively, and otherwise happy to help any descendants of John Taylor; educational advice. Condolences on Smith's "severe losses" [deaths of Smith's and Pleasance Smith's mothers].

Delayed writing following death of Smith's mother. The King [George IV (1762-1830)] almost died but is now recovering, dropsy was avoided after he lost 130 ounces of blood, the illness not caused by intemperance but was the same kind which killed the Duke of Kent [pneumonia]. Thinks ministers acted generously and wisely dissolving Parliament so early. A new Linnean dining club established at the Thatched House Tavern, dismisses concerns that it will cause a schism with those attending the club held at the British Coffee House. Two children of his son, Robert, died of whooping cough, his daughter Charlotte's ten children all had it but survived, she is now expecting her eleventh.

At author's request forwards Smith an additional copy of [Georg Franz] Hoffmann's "Genera plantarum Umbelliferarum", following miscarriage of the first copy sent.