Had planned to attend Linnean Society and Club on his way to Liverpool with Lady [Pleasance] Smith but forced to cancel this on account of Lady Smith's mother, "whose death is hourly expected". Now intends to come to London with Lady Smith at beginning of May, before proceeding to Liverpool. "Almost afraid to enquire the state of [Macleay's] family". He has been unusually well "this severe weather", but in the last two months the deaths of his mother and several other "dear friends" have brought on his usual headaches, eager to change the scene.