Sir James [Edward Smith's] health considerably improved and muscle strength regained since they met at Saxmundham, [Suffolk]. Smith constantly working at his "[English] Flora". If Lady Cullum were Smith's patient he would prescribe her James's powders for her feverish symptoms. Read of Sir William Watson's death [(1744-1824), physician and naturalist]. Regrets that Mrs Cullum [Cullum's daughter-in-law] is still ill; recommends she walk up and down the "hanging tower at Pisa". Enjoying reading Lady Morgan's [(1781-1859)] "tour in Italy". Their friend Miss Trafford in Florence accompanying the Queen and Princesses of Haiti [Marie Louise Christophe (1778-1851), wife of Henri I, and Françoise-Améthyste (d 1831) and Athénaïs (d 1838)].

No summary available.

Invites JH to join JL in viewing William Tassie's nearly complete wax model of bust of William Herschel at Leicester Square.

Royal Society Copley Medal awarded to Dr [John] Brinkley [(c 1763-1835), astronomer], the opponent of [John] Pond [(1767-1836), astronomer] as to the parallax of fixed stars. They [the Royal Society] cannot be accused of "any partiality to either of these great astronomers" though wishes that Pond's theory was right.

Will be pleased to correct the proof copy of JS's paper on double stars. Mentions Charles Babbage and Edward Troughton.

JH will have little time for astronomy due to election as Secretary to the R.S.L.; the appointment also has forced JH to move from Slough to London.

Hears a letter from JH has miscarried. Anxious that JH should write an article on Heat as FL is too busy.

Reports that Mr Plumtree has become a member of the Athenaeum club, which now numbers 990; once 1000 has been reached members will be ballotted. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's parlour dog bit five of his household; the bitten parts were mostly cut out. Saw Sir Thomas Raffles [(1781-1826), founder of Singapore] yesterday; he looked as though he had not moved since they last saw him.

Mislaid the copy of one of JB's mss. and would be grateful if he knows of its whereabouts. In the course of his travels in Europe he has seen some astronomical instruments, which will in time surpass any British made ones and especially those of G. B. Amici and Josef Fraunhofer.

Reports on his life in France and on details in the paper JS and JH were publishing on double stars.

Sends pamphlet on observations they made together on Mount Cuccio. Regarding the coefficient of expansion of the atmosphere. Will repeat his observations in the coming winter. Present the other copy to the Astronomical Society.

Has only fragments of the paper for which JH inquires; original was left for W. H. Wollaston to amend. Thanks for congratulations on the award of the Copley Medal. Was interested to hear about the new German astronomical instruments.

No summary available.

Invites Smith to lecture at the Bristol Institution next spring; requests terms. Smith can obtain plants for demonstration from nursery garden of Mr Miller, late of Sweets & Miller, just outside Bristol; his collection of hardy and tender exotic plants equals any for sale.

Happy to hear Smith has recovered from his "long and severe indisposition". Asks of probability of Smith being in London before May. Asks after [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey's [(1781-1841), sculptor] bust of Smith. Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] in London, has had a slight attack of gout. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert unwell after one of his dogs went mad and bit three of his servants. Asks if Smith has seen new their new volume ["Linnean Transactions" vol 13 issue 2], which is "very thin" for want of matter. Asks if they are ever to receive any paper from Smith.

Regarding the magnetic polarity of the earth.

Happy to see Macleay's handwriting, does not complain of him "as of many people for forcing me to write letters, on w[hi]ch subject some people have no discretion". His "whole daylight" devoted to third volume of his "[English] Flora". His health much restored but lost most of his teeth, long account of his recent illness. "Letter-writing is incompatible with Flora-writing", recent progress. Intends to come to London in April or May [1825] after completing third volume. Complains of "puppies chattering about natural orders which they do not understand"; the more that has been done in botany the more mistakes he finds.

Hopes to make "some stay" in London, including sitting for [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor] and fulfilling his engagement of lecturing at the London Institution. [Robert] Brown the only writer he finds "most in the right"; now realises he has praised [Augustin] de Candolle too much, as he has made many errors.

Hopes Macleay favours [John] Frost's election as FLS.

Accepts invitation to lecture at Bristol Institution. Proposes that they begin after 13 June, following his London Institution lectures and completion of Linnean Society business; he is being paid 100 guineas for 10 lectures at London Institution; prefers to give 3 lectures a week; other requirements, including complimentary tickets. Warns that all is dependent on his "uncertain health", a residence in London frequently brings on his pulmonary inflammation.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 24 [November 1824], pleased to good account of his health. Unable to sign Mr Maund's nomination certificate for Linnean Society.

Pleased that he has presented Smith with a "new & important idea on the effects of a religious establishment"; he has been working on a now 500 page manuscript tract for 30 years, but considers himself "as good a Christian as any in Christendom".

Hopes to bring all his fungi to Norwich before Smith reaches them [in "English Flora"]; he has found hundreds of species since publishing first volume of his "Midland Flora", and [Robert Kaye] Greville, "in his admirable work", makes his descriptions too detailed to be followed.

Agrees with Smith that [William Jackson] Hooker "has rather mistaken the willows" ['Salix'], and thinks that "Flora Scotia" was rushed; points out errors. Has sent [Joseph] Sabine roses ['Rosa']; discussion of 'R. sabini' and 'R. mollis'; Sabine says the specimens he sent are both varities of 'R. doniana'.

Warns CD against idleness.

Suggests readings in Xenophon and Horace.

Quotes Oliver Goldsmith to correct CD’s pronunciation of "sloth".