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.

Received Smith's letter of 27 [March 1820]; extremely sorry for Smith's "family distress", hopes he and Lady [Pleasance] Smith will be well enough to come to London in May. His family well, though since the death of his "poor girl" in January they have had a "good deal of sickness"; more sickness in London this winter than ever known. Thinks Sir Joseph Banks has borne the winter well; Mrs [Catherine] Lambert not expected to ever recover her "reason", [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert cannot bear name of his wife to be mentioned.

"Linnean Transactions" vol 13 progressing "very slowly", conflicting opinions on presentation of [Joseph] Smith's [(1775-1857)] paper. Linnean Society's address to the King [George IV (1762-1830)] well received and printed in the "[London] Gazette". Pleased to hear that Smith is to "stick by" the original [Linnean Dining] Club; account of the division, fears consequences of break in Society's harmony which makes him more anxious than before to resign as Secretary.

Just returned from Lowestoft, [Suffolk], "after having paid the last duties to our beloved parent" [Pleasance Smith's mother, Pleasance Reeve, née Clerke (1739-1820)]. Condolences on death of Macleay's loss [his daughter], "more afflicting, as it was not in the course of nature"; like Macleay "never lost so many friends as in the late dreadful winter".

Intends to be in London for Linnean Society meeting on 2 May [1820]. Received poor accounts of Sir Joseph Banks' health from Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, but good account of Mrs [Catherine] Lambert's. Return's Joseph Smith's [(1775-1857)] paper with corrections, observations. Sorry to hear of [Linnean] Club "squabbling", which he thinks "more becoming a tavern than a literary society", but will "lend a hand to calm differences". "Sicken[s] at the thought" of Macleay resigning Secretary position.