Congratulates Smith on his return to health and goes on to praise Smith's "most valuable and learned works on botany", the women in his family are especially delighted with the "The English Flora" and Smith's "precision" compares favourably to the "vapid conversations and trite introductions to botany that have lately appeared". For the sake of women readers suggests that in his "Introduction to Botany" Smith accentuates the "peculiar" words so as to aid pronunciation.

Received JH's letter from Munich. Arrangements for getting JH's belongings through Customs. Will meet JH in London. Mr. Pitt is unable to paint telescope tube due to foul weather. Scandal of Mr. White's will. Recent deaths.