Disappointed to not be able to attend Linnean Society dinner; cannot forget his connection to the Society. Further plans for Smith's visit to Bury. His son and family in Italy, the "unfortunate war with Spain" [Franco-Spanish War] prevents them from returning to Barèges, [France]. Details of the coaches leaving London for Bury.

Has taken efforts to arrange Linnean Society Council meeting for Monday evening, hopes Smith will be able to attend. Understands from [Robert] Brown that Smith does not think the Linnean Society should interfere with the Asiatic Society, but as the Council unanimously agreed to oppose their charter feels it his duty to do what he can to fulfil the instruction, as should Smith, asks that he write to the Attorney General on the matter.

Enquires lowest price of "Flora Graeca". Anxiously awaiting publication of "English flora", hopes it is before second edition of his "Flora Scotia".

Received copy of Smith's "Defence of the Church and Universities of England". Currently engaged in an "important Chancery-suit". Offers to show Smith the manuscripts of [John] Stackhouse. Wwriting a commentary on the reminiscences of Charles Butler, including Butler's opinion of Gray. Asks Smith's opinion on the 'Acanthus' of Virgil as described by Barker in the notes of [Charles] Symmons' [(1749-1826), poet and biographer] translation of Virgil. Comments on [Johann Heinrich] Voss's translation of Virgil and effect on opinions of German botanists. Sends two pamphlets, one against Blomfield and Monk, and the other on Greek independence.

Thanks for present of book [unnamed but possibly "An Introduction to Physiological and Systematical Botany"] which she hopes to read with her young people, "happens the very thing that I should like for them to amuse and to instruct at the same time".

Glad Smith accepted the unscientific collection of Australian plants from a "young Lieutenant of the Royal Navy" despite their faults, the collection included shells for himself and insects for [Alexander] Macleay. Has further dried plants to send to Smith. Received plants from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert at Boyton. Bad weather, according to Herschel the next moon ought to be more favourable. Planning to visit Ireland in October for first time in five years. Received plants from Cordilleras, Trinidad, including the vegetable "arracacha", but has no guidance on growing it so keeping it in the hothouse. Expecting plants from [Nathaniel] Wallich including his whole collection of bulbs and 'Scitamineae', his [Annseley's] collections of both "now pretty rich". Gratified to receive seeds from Smith, especially as they had the Bishop of Norwich's [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)] frank whom he believed was dead [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)]. His son Lord Valentia has become a "florist".

Thanks for letter from Smith and enclosure for [George] Sinclair, which he has delivered. Pleased to hear of improvement in Smith's health; amendment of his own health goes on slowly. Pleased to hear that Lady Ann Coke [second wife of Thomas William Coke] take so much interest in botanical and horticultural pursuits.

Returns letters, which "scarcely contained anything of interest enough for a regular translation".

Charged by [Nathaniel] Wallich to inform Smith of his successful explorations in the East: he has gathered a "glorious" collection of plants from Singapore, Penang, and Nepal for the East India Company, including 3000 new species, nearly 200 of which are ferns. Received Nepalese seeds from Wallich but [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836)] of the Liverpool Botanic Garden has not expressed an interest in them.

Suffering from a nervous debility caused by overwork; fears he will be unable to take up invitation to Norfolk. Preparing to publish a memoir of Monandrian plants and would like Smith's opinion on his figures. Received letter from [Nathaniel] Wallich giving an account of his expedition to Nepal and Singapore, the diseases he suffered, and the "immense acquisitions" he has made, which form the most valuable collection of living plants the Liverpool Botanic Garden has ever received, including 'Scitamineae' roots which are already shooting thanks to being packed in moss; he did not have time to write to Smith. Rejoices with Smith on marriage of his "amiable niece".

Reserves his support for nominations to Christ's Hospital [school] to inhabitants of his own diocese [in reference to Smith's application to admit William Drake's son a pupil, see RelatedMaterial below].

Thanks Smith for pamphlet and papers on the Norwich Literary Institution. Offers to lend Smith Savi's 'Observationes in varias Trifoliorum species'. Remarks on Charles Butler [(1750-1832), Roman Catholic layman and lawyer]. Admiration for William Roscoe, desires to get him interested in Greek independence. Thanks Smith for his desire to assist in the Greek cause and suggests the establishment of a committee in Norwich to that end.

Manuscript copies, in Barker's hand, of a circular from a committee in Brighton in support of Greek independence, and of a letter received from William Thornton of Washington, USA, on the same.

Queries Smith's article on 'Vaccinium' in [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia": considers 'V. virgatum' and 'V. fuscatum' as probably one species, and disagrees that they are both varieties of 'V. corymbosum' ; considers 'V. galeformis' variety of 'V. corymbosum; encloses specimens of 'V. marianum', 'V. grandiflorum', and unknown 'Vaccinium', observations, Smith has annotated his responses. Also 'V. salicinum' and 'V. vergatum' listed.

Confirms his visit to Smith in Norwich to meet [William] Roscoe. Would like to see Mrs Ives' copy of Giorgione's "Gaston de Foix" to determine whether his is the one by Titian or Giorgione. Has notes on [Alexander] Pope's imitations of English poets to give to Roscoe; other remarks about Pope. His Exmouth magnolias still flowering in spite of the cold. His son suffering from [w]hooping cough.

At Smith's request sent [Joseph] Woods [(1776-1864)] specimens of roses. Would have liked to have seen the proofs of Smith's work on 'Rosa' [probably for "English flora"], hopes it settles all the points between Woods, [John] Lindley [(1799-1865)], and others. Hears of a new work on 'Rubus' [Weihe's "Rubi Germanici" (1822-1827)], expects the genus to be "divided very much".

Remarks on 'Rosa' specimens.

Discusses the genus 'Rubus': [James] Bicheno, [William] Borrer, and himself have examined Weihe's ["Rubi Germanici" (1822-1827)]; believes he has some of Weihe's specimens, which he offers to send to Smith for investigation.

Sending Smith Weihe's "Rubi Germanici" for inspection, at suggestion of Edward Forster, and specimens of the 'Rubus' of this region. List of specimens with observations, numbered, dated 6 December 1823, including: 'R. leucostachys', 'R. fruticasus', 'R. rhamnifolius', 'R. nitidus', 'R. suberectus', 'R. corylifolius', 'R. affinis', 'R. glandulosus', 'R. caesius', and 'R. idaeus'.

Sent a barrel of oysters for Smith. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert in high spirits but Mrs [Catherine] Lambert worse than ever and never sees anyone. Smith's distinction between 'Geum' and 'Dryas' "very satisfactory" and Goodenough had not observed it before; singular generic character of 'Icosandria' so striking it makes one examine the plants carelessly.

They had a wintry summer and kept fires in all rooms as in the depth of winter, and garden produce was badly damaged: no apples, unripe pears, flavourless strawberries and raspberries, and corn very late and still green in fields on 3 November, but they produced mulberries only the third time and enjoyed a good peach harvest at the end of October. Less radicalism in his area of Cumberland. Comments on the difficulty of filling the positions of Attorney and Solicitor Generals due to the "great dearth of profound lawyers", similar to the lack of profound scholars in several of the learned professions.

Recently sent Smith specimens of 'Salix glauca' and four roses, not knowing which he referred to as not a variety of '[Rosa] arvensis'. Does not know Smith's 'R. subglobosa'; thinks others of [Joseph] Woods' [(1776-1864)] varieties may rank as species; thinks he should have united two more of Smith's list, the 'R. woodsii' with 'R. dumetorum', and 'R. canna' with 'R. sarmentacea'. He has found and cultivated 'R. collina'; observations.

Discusses work of himself, [William] Borrer, and [James] Bicheno on 'Rubus', observations on 'Rubus cordifolius' and 'Rubus rhamnifolius'; will send specimens to Smith, named on authority of Merten and Weihe. Also sending plant of 'Campanuta punctata'.

Account of discussion with [Joseph] Sabine on roses.

Laments not having seen Smith for a long time, gives his reasons. Health of his family. Saw [William] Roscoe recently. [Thomas William] Coke and amenities of Holkham, [Norfolk]. [Alexander] Macleay has bought a small estate in Caithness.