Sorry to hear Smith cannot come to London on 4 May. Spent the last three weeks confined with gout and the "epidemic cold". Sir James Graham of Netherby, his nearest Cumberland neighbour, has died after a ten day illness. [Alexander] Macleay has called a Linnean Society council meeting but not indicated its subject. Enjoying Smith's new work ["English Flora"], hopes to live to see the cryptogamia.

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.

They are correct to think that the reviewer of Smith's "English Flora" in the "Phil. Journal" is [James] Bicheno. Ongoing publication of his "Monandrian Plants"; his biography and new edition of [Alexander] Pope's works complete, prepared for "much controversy & some abuse"; his catalogue of Holkham manuscripts [home of Thomas William Coke] also progressing. Met [Thomas William Coke], Lady Anne [(1803-1844), Coke's wife], and boisterous "little Tom". Leaving London soon; dined with Mrs Martin, Fanny [Smith's sisters], and [Nathaniel] Kindersley [Smith's cousin].

Sending his book "Amoenitates Italicae" to the Linnean Society via a "kind English lady". Offers to send specimens of Italian plants if desired.

Still weak from a "tedious illness" but to visit Saxmundham, [Suffolk], to see Lady Smith's aunt. Would like to visit Cullum in August. Received bad shock from the peripneumony which followed bad fit of influenza, and overwhelmed by business letters.

Left London early for Lady Cullum's health. Missed Prince Leopold dining with the Linnean Club but [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough], Sir Claude Scott [(1742-1830)], Mr Colebrooke, [William George] Maton, and Sir Benjamin Hobhouse [(1757-1831), politician] attended. Lambert's state of mind too unsettled for him to write to anyone unless absolutely obliged. Hopes Lambert sent Smith the continuation of his "[A description of the genus] Pinus" work. This summer possibly going to Ramsgate and Margate, [Kent], or Paris by steam vessel, and plans to visit Smith in Saxmundham, [Suffolk].

Fears the specimen he sent last year of 'Stachys ambigua', gathered near Quorndon, Leicestershire, never reached Smith; offers to send it again. Pleased to see the "long promised" "English flora" is appearing, and that Smith "does not follow the example of this generation of expensive works by putting too high a price on the book".

Staying with Lady [Pleasance] Smith's aunt, whose house and garden is a "specimen of what one reads about in English novels of the best age, before the history of manners & character gave way to the picturesque or the frightful", although the journey caused his fever to return, which was treated with bleeding and James's powder.

Printing new editions of his "Compendium florae Britannicae" and "Introduction [to Botany]", and anticipates the continuation of "English Flora" to be "merely a pleasure & amusement". Resolved to limit his letter writing, "especially in reply to foolish schemes & questions about botany"; he is now being solicited about a Norwich Botanic Garden, certain it will not amount to anything. Criticises missing date in Roscoe's last letter.

Received from Paris "Annales de las Societe Linneenne de Paris", containing an eulogy of Broussonet. Corrêa has died at Lisbon; he had been a "little perverted by French botanists" and developed a "jealous twist" against Englishmen, especially Sir Joseph Banks.

The lumbago he suffered from on his journey to Rose Castle has brought on gout. Relates an anecote relating to "the late sweet warbler" Mrs Sheridan and an apothecary. Smith must have enjoyed Sir Thomas Cullum staying.

Rose Castle gardens have suffered much, including goosberries, currants, and plums; a great loss for them living in a lone house so far from a town. Forwarded Smith's letter to Mrs Martin.

Observations on 'Cheiranthus cheiri'; requests Smith's opinion. Sending specimen of 'Cheiranthus fruticulosus', and of doubtful 'C. erysimoides', for identification.