Only recently received Yates' letter of 10 March [1824]; his ill health last summer and almost total interruption of his literary labours and correspondence have kept him in state of estrangement from many friends, and now he is recovered his work on "English Flora" takes all his time, he "cannot write books and letters too". Explains delay in receiving Yates' letter, caused by it getting caught up in his niece Martin's "drapery". Recollections of Yates' new area of residence in Birmingham.

His illness prevented him from going to London at all in 1824, having never missed a year before. Intends to go to London in April this year, hopes to see Yates' and Mrs James Yates there. Approves of [William] Roscoe's work [see RelatedMaterial below], hopes he can go on with it. Asks after his Birmingham friends the Corries and Dr Johnstone.

Reassures Macleay he is not "indifferent" to the "sad event" of his departure [to New South Wales, Australia]; he feels the strongest regret. Delayed replying to Macleay's news until he had heard from [Robert] Brown but still waiting; thinks it not suited to his "retired manners" but if he undertakes it "with heart & good will" he would be the best candidate, and would not have asked him if he did not think it did Brown honour, the Bishop [of Carlisle, Samuel Goodenough] "sometimes singular in ideas".

Third volume of his "English Flora" must be finished before he comes to London, which keeps him very busy; his "correspond[en]ts have no mercy". Feels the loss of a "real friend" in Macleay.

Confesses he is "not a man of compliments", but Macleay's "wide removal, as it were, to another world [...] seems to excuse & indeed require an opening of heart between us"; pays tribute to their 31-year friendship; urges Macleay to look out for his health, citing recent death of "a most invaluable" nephew of his in India. Hopes to be in London in time to see Macleay, will be giving his first lecture at the London Institution on 2 May [1825], and until then engaged with finishing third volume of his "English Flora".

Recommended David Don [(1799-1841), botanist] to [George] Hibbert [for curator of Jamaica botanic garden]. Will be happy to see [James] Bicheno as new Linnean Society Secretary, though would have been equally pleased with [Edward] Barnard. Delighted with Macleay's son's "most excell[en]t & learned papers".

Just returned from his first lecture. Account of his journey from Norwich to Walthamstow, met by [Thomas] Forster and wife. Account of his first lecture. Attending Linnean Society Council and meeting this evening. Will send Pleasance's brother, Robert, newspaper with account of the meeting against slavery.

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]

Busy correcting sheets, completing his index, and holding lectures. The lectures very crowded and seem "much approved". His travel arrangements. Received letter from [Edmund] Davall's eldest son, married and settled at Vevey, [Switzerland], and recommending his younger brother to Smith, who wishes to come to England; will write to prevent his coming. Another letter from George Hibbert about the gardener who is to go to Jamaica. [Thomas] Forster had an epileptic fit, he has been keeping them secret for 20 years. Staying next at [Edward] Forster's, Hale End, [Essex]. [James] Bicheno to become new Linnean Society secretary; [Joseph] Sabine made more of it that was just or true.

Called at Longman's: first two volumes of "English Flora" have just paid their expenses with half the stock sold, the remaining 800 copies to be all profit. Reviews his own lecture from yesterday. Bishop of Chester's [Charles Blomfield (1786-1857)] and Butler's debate at the Institution: both expose "much weakness" in the orthodox cause. Gave a speech at Linnean Society after list of subscribers to his bust was read. His strength, rheumatism, and cholic improved but cannot avoid perspiration at night. His Bristol lectures have been set to begin 13 June.

His laborious Monday: collected plants for his lecture, accompanied by Mrs Edward Forster; gave his lecture; attended a fraught Linnean Society audit and Council due to the quarrels with [Joseph] Sabine, but conciliated after [Alexander] Macleay and himself lectured [David] Don [(1799-1841), botanist]. Anniversary meeting and dinner well attended, though Sabine did not attend; conflicts between [James] Bicheno and [John] Lindley [(1799-1865), botanist]. Is to attend, with Forster, the annual meeting of Chimney Sweepers, who want to outlaw use of children in the profession. Next staying at Miss Lloyd's lodgings at Chapel Place. Sitting for [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor] on return from Bristol. His dentist is Mr Cartwright. Professor [Thomas] Martyn has mouth cancer. Edward Taylors moving to London.

Plants for lectures supplied by [Edward] Forster's garden and Loddige's [nursery]. Finished on Thursday to a "thunder of applause"; paid 100 guineas. Visited Horticultural Society gardens and spent pleasant time with [John] Lindley [(1799-1865), botanist], showing that their quarrel is "more than made up". Often breakfasts at the Menzies. [Samuel] Goodenough approves of next fasciculus of "Flora Graeca". Disappointed by Bullock's Mexican curiosities. Met Sir Astley Cooper at Saville Onley's, he continually reads his "Introduction to Botany". A party at the Blackwells; George Blackwell leaving the country for 2 years. His health generally better but his old complaint increased; Dr Davy prescribes Ipecacuanla with laudanum. Attempted and failed to get [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert to be accommodating regarding Linnean Society chair.

His travel arrangements for Bristol. Account of remainder of his time in London, including visits to Paddington to see [Thomas William] Coke and family; a ball at Mrs Bennett's, sister of [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, where he met Sir Stamford Raffles [(1781-1826), founder of Singapore], they are now "sworn friends"; attended the King's [George IV (1762-1830)] drawing room; visited Lady Hervey and Miss Caton, Mrs Patterson unwell. Dr [Martin] Davy extravagantly applauded "English Flora".

A meeting with [Thomas] Platt [(d 1842), one of John Sibthorp's executors, supervised the publication of "Flora Graeca"], who is annoyed at the British Museum having claimed a copy of "Flora Graeca" and sued the bookseller according to the act which requires copies to be deposited with public bodies. All say he looks "remarkably well", though thinner; his night perspiration has returned. Lambert insists that they stay at Boyton, [Wiltshire], on return from Bristol as he can get them a sight of Fonthill [Abbey, Wiltshire, built by William Beckford (1760-1844), novelist]. Lady de Clifford [Sophia Southwell] said to be "breaking fast".

Dined at [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's with Captain [Phillip Barker] King [(1791-1856], the great New Holland navigator, how is about to publish his voyage, and has named in honour of him a group of islands on the southern coast of New Holland.

[Letter incomplete: fragment only]

Describes his travels since leaving Norwich on 30 April: stayed with Thomas Forster at Walthamstow and Edward Forster at Hale End, [both in Essex]; gave course of 10 lectures at the London Institution; saw the Coke family and Dr [Martin] Davy of Caius College, [Cambridge]; arrived in Bristol on 12 June but inflammation in his lungs recurred after his first three lectures, following treatment with James's powder, bleeding, and starvation resumed and completed lectures to a "brilliant & numerous" audience; staying in a cottage till end of September to regain his health. Finished third volume of his "[English] Flora". Heat in London prevented him from seeing Roscoe's son, Thomas, and the only exhibition or sight he saw was the King in the drawing room.

Glad to hear of Lady Cullum's recovering health; his own is improving and now only suffers rheumatism in his knees when rain is approaching. Found 'Senecio lividus', 'Rubus glandulosus', and 'Centaurea jacea' very distinct from 'nigra', in woods of Blaise Castle, [Henbury]. Pities Cullum for being in Oxford during race week, "races, fairs & elections are the pests of sober travellers". Index to third volume of "English Flora" delayed by illness but printing now almost complete. His travel plans: intends to visit [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert at Boyton, [Wiltshire]; Salisbury, [Wiltshire]; Winchester, [Hampshire]; his Kindersley cousins at Sunning Hill, [Berkshire]; [Thomas Furly] Forster at Hoe Street, Walthamstow, [Essex]; and attend meetings of Horticultural and Linnean Societies on 1 November. Considers it "an honour to have been thought of & invited by so large a portion of the enlightened & learned part of the University" [in reference to his failed campaign to become Cambridge botany professor]._x000D_

[Letter incomplete: two-thirds of second folio cropped, missing text presumed destroyed]

Anxiously awaiting another parcel of plates of "Flora Graeca" from Sowerby. Their planned route from Bristol to London, including a visit to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert at Boyton, [Wiltshire], expects to be in London by 15 October. Suffering from rheumatism in his legs.