Long break in their correspondence. Publication of "Linnean Transactions" vol 14, lack of papers at Linnean Society meetings, requests one from Smith. Delay in last part of previous "Transactions" volume occasioned him "more vexation" than he can express; he is "most heartily sick of the Secretaryship" and asks that Smith consider a replacement; David Don's [(1799-1841), botanist] progress [as Society Clerk]. Several objectives he would like to complete before leaving office: a subscription for a bust of Smith, though fears he will not have much good will on this, having brought forward so many other subscriptions; a general index to "Linnean Transactions"; and to put the Society's funds on a better footing, proposals for this, asks Smith to chase up money bequeathed by Natural History Society [Society for Promoting Natural History, precursor to Linnean Society].

[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Mrs [Catherine] Lambert both unwell, when he took the Chair he "appeared as if he were mad", which was much commented on by Fellows, asks Smith to ensure [William George] Maton takes the Chair when the Bishop [of Carlisle, Samuel Goodenough] cannot attend. His daughter ill.

Thanks for Macleay's "kind letters" but has "very little time to write in reply" as the "Herculean labour" of his "English Flora" demands all his daylight and most of his evening time; current progress and publication plans.

Laments "most truly" Macleay intention to resign Linnean Society Secretaryship, suggests [Joseph] Sabine, Macleay's son, or [Robert] Brown as successor, asks Macleay's opinion. Will try to write a paper for Linnean Society for March. Thanks Macleay for suggestion of a bust of him, "should esteem the honour greater than being made a Baronet at the solicitation of the Soc[iet]y". Opinion on proposed index to "Linnean Transactions". Requests most recent "Linnean", "Horticultural", and "Philosophical Transactions". Proposes Dr [Christian Friedrich] Schwaegrichen [(1775-1853), zoologist] of Leipzig for FMLS vacancy. Respecting Society finances, proposes charging a guinea for each volume of "Linnean Transactions".

Approves of course of treatment for Macleay's ill daughter. He had "much illness" last year but is now "very well". Lectured at Birmingham, [Warwickshire], for a month "with good success, & hope [he has] "sown good seed"".

Has finished work on Linnaeus' autobiography "Life of Linnaeus" and has almost finished translation into Engish. Asks Smith to find a bookseller in London willing to publish the translation.

Thanks for gift of Smith's "Compendium florae Britannicae" and Linnaeus' "Orbis eruditi Judicium" and "Observationes in Regnum Lapideum" to the Academia Reale delle Scienze di Torino [Royal Academy of Sciences Turin]. Twenty-sixth volume of transactions of the Academy has been dispatched for Smith, Linnean Society, and other societies. Confirms Smith is still one of the Academy's twenty foreign members. [Antonio Lodovico] Bellardi gratified by Smith's remembrance of him.

[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Mrs [Catherine] Lambert both much better since he last wrote to Smith. Efforts being made to receive funds from Natural History Society [Society for Promoting Natural History, precursor to Linnean Society]. Smith's proposal to charge for next volume of "Linnean Transactions" not suitable.

Council thinks [Francis] Hamilton's 10 long papers on "Hortus Malabaricus" too long for "Linnean Transactions", they ask that Smith to write to Hamilton for them to be compressed as much as possible. Has no doubt that Smith's "English flora" will be "anxiously sought after" but recommends publishing it all together, in consideration of "Flora Britannica" not having been finished. Recommends Smith seek out Edmund Goodenough's [(1785-1845), headmaster] own copy of "Flora Britannica" with extensive manuscript notes. His daughter recovering from her illness.

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'].

Received Macleay's letter of 22 January [1823], pleased to hear of Miss Macleay's recovery. If the Linnean Society cannot afford to publish "Linnean Transactions" then they ought to either refrain, publish on some other plan, or sell their stock at a cheap rate to booksellers abroad or at home. [Francis] Hamilton's papers on "Hortus Malabaricus" are "extremely valuable to real botanists", but if they extend too far they must be delayed, anxious not to "disgust" Hamilton. The "Horticultural Society Transactions" "form a valuable mass of inform[atio]n & entertainment".

As Macleay has said nothing of his successor [as Society Secretary] hopes this means he is relenting in his intention to resign. Believes a voluntary contribution to the Society [to improve funds] would be "nominal" and feels it is his duty to "resist for others". Thanks Macleay for hint respecting Master of Westminster's [Edmund Goodenough [(1785-1845)] copy of "Flora Britannica" but finds his "own materials & observations best - do not think me a growing a coxcomb for this". Has finished one volume [of "English flora"] and hopes to have another finished by the time he comes to London.

Asks Smith to subscribe to Robert Kaye Greville's "Scottish Cryptogamic Flora", a relation of hers, and exert his influence in getting his botanical friends to also support it.

Sending 'Juncus' specimens from his herbarium, delayed by his comparison with the specimens [James] Bicheno sent to Linnean Society accompanying his paper on subject; observations on species.

Having heard that Smith is engaged in finishing "Flora Britannica" ["English Flora"] sends two plants that may be of use, 'Hypnum polymorphum' and 'Racodium actua', detailed observations on each.

Reply to Smith's of 27 February delayed by ill health and domestic troubles, including: his confinement for the last four months by the "very awkward weather"; death of his grandchild, the eldest daughter of Mrs Charlotte Lynn who died last summer, from a cold upon her chest and illness of three other of the children; Mr Lynn's threatening to leave Keswick; and the ailing of Mrs Goodenough of Lincolnshire's two remaining children out of ten, now being treated by Sir Henry Halford [(1766-1844), physician].

Attended a rare daytime Linnean Society council meeting at which an "absurd" hoax paper about robins read at the previous meeting; Joseph Sabine proposed publicly acknowledging it at the next meeting but Goodenough persuaded them to let the matter drop, grateful the reader is not stipendiary otherwise public notice might have been made. The Society unable to commit to publishing all eleven of [Francis Hamilton's] remarks on the "Hortus Malabaricus" and should never have printed the first part; this, alongside the cock robin paper, has determined [Alexander] Macleay to resign his post.

Account of various fevers and inflammations suffered by himself, his youngest daughter, his wife, and maid-servant. Death of [Thomas] Purton's eldest son from pulmonary consumption, as well as his partner, who was to have been his son-in-law. Observed again the 'Byssus septica' in his cellar covering everything with particles. Gratified by Smith's remarks on Purton's "Appendix to the Midland Flora". Hopes to see Smith at one of their summer committees [of Apothecaries Company] in Chelsea.

[John] Denson [(fl 1820s-1870s, curator of Bury botanic garden] received parcel of seeds sent by Smith. Alarmed by account given of Smith's health, his own legs are inflamed and forming superficial abscesses. Had hoped to invite Smith to visit him in Bury on his way to London. Received letter from [Thomas] Rackett, an executor for David Garrick's widow [Eva Marie Veigel (1724-1822)], offering to show him curiosities from Garrick's estate, and given a catalogue of Garrick's soon to be auctioned library; sketches and transcribes inscription of one of Garrick's book plates and comments on it. Received letter from his son in Rome, details their intended movements around Italy.

Asks directions for forwarding [Joseph] Sabine's supplemental paper on Chrysanthemums for Smith's observations, at request of Linnean Society Council.

Cannot conceive that anything written for the Linnean Society by [Joseph] Sabine can require his revision. Had hoped to be in London for 15 April but this will now be 1 May in order for him to finish second volume of his "[English] Flora" and to correct sheets of the first. Received "melancholy letter" from Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough]; hopes he is better, "great pressure of his work" prevents him from writing to his friends.

Received small cargo of Australian plants; sending one of each kind for Smith. Hopes to meet Smith in London in the summer.

Has read [Joseph] Sabine's paper and concurs with him in everything, except for minor changes to specific names. Sorry he gave Macleay "such a kettle of fish", had hoped it would be better. Hopes to be in London on 6 May [1823] but very unwell at present, being threatened with a pulmonary irritation and "a bad state of bowels". Macleay to "throw the Cornish paper aside if not quite worthy to appear".

Death of his mother following a sudden illness.