Disappointed Smith was not at 6 May Linnean Society meeting. Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] was also absent because of gout and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert infrequently attends on account of Mrs [Catherine] Lambert's ill health. Laid bark of Lord [John Rous, 1st Earl of] Stradbroke's [(1750-1827)] 'Sirex juvenus' damaged 'Pinus sylvestris' trees on table at Linnean Society. Invites Smith to breakfast with them and General [Thomas] Hardwicke when Smith comes for anniversary meeting. Delighted by reports of new arrival at Holkham Hall [birth of a son to Thomas William Coke].

Acknowledges on behalf of the Académie Royale des Sciences Smith's gift of the first two volumes of "The English Flora".

Sorry to hear Smith so unwell, offers to take the chair for Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Due to successively dine with [William George] Maton and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Recently saw Sir [Thomas] Cullum, he is in "blooming" health and forwarded Smith's note and enclosure to him. Lambert in dispute with Rodwell and Martin regarding new edition of his work on 'Pinus' and contemplating taken the matter to the Court of King's Bench.

Suffering from a long and severe inflammation of the lungs, preventing him from going to London. Asks Sowerby to send any "Flora Graeca" plates or patterns to look over.

Note [in Sowerby's hand] listing plates and patterns sent.

Asks for duplicate plants, especially Australian.

Apologises for delay in replying to Smith's letter of 27 April [1824]; sorry to hear of his severe indisposition, hopes to see Smith before Linnean Society's last meeting in June. Lists new members of Council. Balance in Treasurer's hands is £192, compared to last year's balance of £34 on the other side. Forty-two Fellows elected in the last year, greatest number in any one year. Informed by Solicitor General that he agrees with Attorney General that the Asiatic Society is entitled to a charter as applied for. Asks that Smith send a letter nominating his vice-presidents for the next year. He was in Scotland for 5 months last year.

"A wretched headache" prevents him from answering Macleay's letter, and is "quite unable" to go into the country for change of air nor London for 15 June [1824]. Does not think he should nominate the vice-presidents until he is informed of his own re-election as President.

Appoints Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough], [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, [William George] Maton, and [Edward Smith-]Stanley as Vice-Presidents of the Linnean Society.

Thanks for "Flora Anglica". Making strong progress with "Hortus Malabaricus". Has given commentary on the first volume of the "Herbarium Amboinense" to the Wernerian Society in Edinburgh but doubtful whether it will appear. [William Jackson] Hooker is to compile detailed observations that are suited for neither commentaries and publish them in the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal. Complains that Venlenat, [Augustin Pyramus] de Candolle, [Carl Sigismund] Kunth "and other Goths are overwhelming us with new orders", which he believes [Robert] Brown may be "aiding and abetting", and that they do not understand the difference between an order and a genus as established by Linnaeus.

Linnean Society anniversary meeting "went off most pleasantly" with at least ten more in attendance than last year. [William George] Maton, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, Sir Thomas Cullum, Provost of Eton [Joseph Goodall (1760-1840)], President of Horticultural Society [Thomas Andrew Knight], and [Walden Henry] Hanmer all attended but Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley did not. [William] Anderson [(1766-1846), Chelsea Physic Garden curator] exhibited some plants and [Robert] Brown attended the morning but did not dine. A small species of albatross, a penguin, and another aquatic bird were laid on the table. [Edward] Forster can inform Smith of the finances.

Informed by [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert that after the retirement of the company at the Linnean Society anniversary meeting dinner [Alexander] Macleay, Joseph Sabine, and others stayed in the room to make further speeches in spite of the numerous toasts made by Goodenough; thinks it copies "the habit of low societies [...] and utterly unworthy of the dignity of such a society as ours". Sabine has already given great offence after being chosen a member of their new club, the Athenaeum; did not invite Smith to join as he is so rarely in London but happy to propose him.