Asks JH to pay CH's debt to his mother and deduct that amount from next annuity payment to CH.

No summary available.

Has been ill since 13 November. Unsurprised by manoeuvres of [William] Cobbett's [(1763-1835), political writer and farmer] inflaming "the passions of the ignorant" at a meeting held in York, believes the argument about the composition of the consitution too finely drawn for the "lower orders". Glad that Smith has ordered the 'Umbellatae', a class he has previously been confused by. Has not seen anything of Professor [Christian Friedrich] Schwaegrichen [(1775-1853)] after refusing [Archibald] Menzies request to support him for a Foreign Member of the Linnean Society.

After delay has received a specimen of Mr Maughan's 'Salix livida', gathered near Moffat. Encloses the specimens for Smith, they agree with Swedish plants he has had from [Olof] Swartz and confirmed by Christian Schmidt. Also encloses 'Juncus arcuatus' found in Grampian mountains with [George Arnott Walker] Arnott [(1799-1868)] and [Robert Kaye] Greville of Edinburgh, new to Britain and in [Georg] Wahlenberg's [(1780-1851)] "Flora Lapponica". Has heard from [Dawson] Turner that Smith is progressing well with the "[English] Flora". Five members of his family have suffered from scarlet fever, including himself, describes symptoms. Hopes Smith has not been suffering from the severe winter.

Discusses learned societies: informed by Sir George Staunton of the founding of the Asiatic Society of London; anxious for the prosperity of the Linnean Society, asks if the vice-president, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, and [Robert] Brown communicate with Smith; laments death of Sir Joseph Banks [president of Royal Society] and reserved behaviour of Lord Aberdeen [George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen (1784-1860)], president of Antiquarian Society; requests copy of 1819 Linnean Society list.

Reported in newspaper that [George] Leathes [(1779-1836)] caught a live 'Ampelis garrulus' in his hothouse and is feeding it on grapes, juniper berries, and raisins; Cullum would like to see if it can live on misletoe berries. Just received fifth volume of [John] Latham's "[A general history of] Birds", has subscribed in friendship and knowing of his difficult financial affairs due to his son's imprudence. Asks if Smith knows what plant 'Buchu' is as the leaves of it are being advertised in a pamphlet to treat complaints of the urethra and vesica urinaria [Smith has annotated in pencil that "'Buchu' is the Hottentot name" for 'Diosma'].