Indebted to Smith's publications for the progress he has made in botany; offers to send 'Lichen' specimens not in "English botany" for Smith's opinion at later date, and now sends others, including: 'Parmelia conoplea', 'P. subiginosa', 'P. plumbra', 'P. ambigua', 'P. farrea'; observations. He and Mr Knight found 'Targionia hypophylla' last summer in Radnorshire, also found in Montgomeryshire.

Requests that Smith mark the specimens he has sent in a particular way. Remarks on habitats of 'Parmelia scrobiculata', 'P. aquila', and 'P. perforata'.

Thanks for turkey and specimens of 'Dianthus'. [Samuel Goodenough] ill. Fonthill Abbey and grounds purchased by [John] Benett [(1773-1852), his brother-in-law], the walks and drives to kept in good order. The abbey itself is in ruins, mentions the tower falling with a "tremendous crash" and the previous owner, [John] Farquhar [(1751-1826)], having a narrow escape. Acquired work on Brazilian ferns.

Offers to obtain any or all of the Hungarian plants described by [Franz Adam von] Waldstein and [Paul] Kitaibel in ["Descriptiones et icones plantarum rariorum Hungariae"] from a Munich botanist, in exchange for British specimens.

[Note, possibly in Smith's hand] "of Laycock Abbey, Nephew of Ld Lansdown".

Thanks for turkey. Turns down offered potential post [of vice-president] in favour of [Robert] Brown. Heard from [Alexander] Macleay at Rio de Janeiro, assumes they have reached New South Wales by now. Hopes Smith's niece is bearing her misfortune well. Account of recent Linnean Society meeting. Their bank quiet but fears great distress across the country and expects to hear of banks failing.

[Letter incomplete: large portion of second folio cropped, unclear if any significant text missing]

Prevented by his poor health and incessant occupations from joining the Smiths at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke].

Asks Smith's opinion of most recent parts of his "Monandrain Plants", particularly the descriptions. His greatest difficulty has been acquiring species of 'Amomum'; none have flowered [at Liverpool Botanic Garden]; asks if there are any in the drawings Smith received from Dr [Francis] Hamilton for "Exotic Botany". Settled the boundary between 'Maranta' and 'Phrynium', excluding [Georg Friedrich Wilhelm] Meyer's 'Calathea' which he has included in 'Phrynium', though notes that [John] Lindley [(1799-1865), botanist] is trying to establish it in new edition of "Bot. Reg." and Sprengel also recognises it.

Wishes he could be in London to dine with friends at the Free Masons and Thatched House Tavern. Received visit from eldest son of [Thomas Andrew] Knight and on remarking on the valuable property [Richard] Payne Knight [(1750-1824), classicist] left to the British Museum received reply that his father and family had been left enough to satisfy all. Hopes the "alarming bankruptcies" are not affecting any of their friends, particularly the Forsters, though concerned the failure of Sir Peter Pole's [2nd baronet (1770-1850)] banking house has affected [Edward] Rudge as their families recently intermarried. Dawson Turner is being consulted regarding auction of [Sir Thomas] Gage's library and collection of plants and drawings, including boxes of plants from India never examined; wishes Smith could examine some of Gage's cryptogamia drawings. Dr [John] Sims intends to decline superintendence of the "Botanical Magazine". Observed 'Primula chinensis' in a lady's parlour, it seems to be 'Primula praenitens' of "Botanical Register" vol 7 plate 539.

Accepts Smith's invitation to visit Norwich next year to examine Linnaeus' herbarium. Is about to visit the Ionion Islands to study the local flora, intends to take Smith's "Prodomus Florae Graecae" and asks for any other recommendations. Asks if there is any particular family or genus of plants to look out for. Collected many duplicates on his last tour of Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Carinthia, including a 'Lilium pumilum' exactly resembling the figure in Loddiges' "Botanical Cabinet" tab 358; and 'Fritillaria lutea' of Marschall von Bieberstein at an elevation of 5000 feet in alpine meadow of Col de Tende, only place hitherto observed in Europe. Currently has a collector in Sardinia.

Encloses dried specimens of the rye; when in flower will make magnified drawing of the corolla. The garden more ordered now though unsure how long they will remain here. Asks for the name of the "Malay Tree" which distills a "pure liquid like water" when the branches are cut. Seeds damaged by the rains. Cuttings from his plant of 'Neicum grandiflosum' thrive well.

Report on the flora of Corfu, although his explorations have not yet extended beyond the city: orange and olive trees loaded with fruit and berries, "gigantic" 'Arundo donax' and 'Cactus opuntia' "diversify the prospect". The hedges are formed of cultivated artichokes, and there are also hedges of scarlet Cape geraniums. Calendar of flora for 31 March, 2 April, and 4 April listing growth and flowering of various plants, including plants not in the "Prodomus Florae Graecae" [the calendar is transcribed in Pleasance Smith's transcription and also online via University of Glasgow, see PubInNote below]. Observed a scarlet cornfield in Italy covered with 'Tulipa oculis-solis', "the weeds of the south of Europe are very handsome".

Remarks on death of Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington]: reread Smith's Dedication to him several times, his second wife [Jane Barrington] thinks it remarkable he underwent a lithotomy operation at thirteen years old. Will be in London for Horticultural Society and Linnean Club meetings.

Sending specimens of living 'Salix borreri', collected by [William] Borrer in Bredalbane, [Perthshire]. Invites Smiths to stay at Hale End, so they can attend Linnean Society [anniversary meeting] together. Received paper from [Henry Thomas] Colebrooke [(1765-1837), botanist] on the Quinary divisions, unsure if he was serious or hoaxing them. Concerned that the Society will never be able to accomplish rotation of chair by the vice-presidents.

[Smith noted his reply in corner of verso of first folio]: replied by telegraph will be with Forster on 1 May.

Continues account of the vegetation of Corfu. Has only explored the environs of the city, but told of "extraordinary" plants in the remoter parts of the island by director of the botanic gardens, including: 'Echium giganteum'; 'Othonna pectinata' and another 'Othonna'; 'Osteospermum piliferum' and 'Osteospermum moniliferum'; 'Nolana prostrata'; 'Chrysocoma coma-aurea'; and a yellow climber, either 'Dolichos' or 'Crotalaria'.

His discoveries: characters of two new 'Euphorbia' resembling 'Euphorbia peplus' and 'Euphorbia exigua'; and found a large white-flowered 'Lithospermum'; 'Stachys spinulosa ?' with white flowers; 'Veronica syriaca'; 'Phleum felinum ?'; 'Convolvulus tenissimus'; 'Crambe corvini' (not in "Prodromus [Florae Graecae]"); 'Lotus tetragonolobus'; 'Lathyrus setifolius'; 'Bunias erucago'; 'Ornithopus scorpioides'; 'Andropogon distachyon'; 'Aristolochia rotunda'; 'Allium subhirsutum'; 'Urospermum picroides'; 'Hesperis verna'; 'Rhagadiolus stellatus'; 'Polypodium leptophyllum ?'; 'Anthyllis tetraphylla'; 'Euphorbia amygdaloides', abundant (not in "Prodromus [Florae Graecae]"); a 'Geranium' with large flesh-coloured flowers; 'Vicca bithynica'; 'Coronilla securidaca'; etc. About to visit island of Santa Maura, the ancient Leucadia.

Pleased Smith will be coming on 1 May, arrangements for the visit. Sorry the box was not sent before 'Salix borreriana' spoiled.

Apologises for not writing but he has been ill since Christmas with a swelling in his knees which prevented him from walking and a suppresion of urine. Recovering very slowly after treatment from [William George] Maton and [Thomas] Copeland [(1781-1855), surgeon].

Sends new British species of 'Mespilus', gathered on a recent excursion in North Wales, and some other plants and observations gathered in course of his botanical studies.

Sorry that Smith was not able to come on 1 May, hopes he will still be able to come on 15 May. New Linnean Society Council to include Sir Stamford Raffles [(1781-1826), founder of Singapore], Charles Bell, [Nicholas Aylward] Vigors [(1786-1840), zoological administrator and quinarian], Dr [John] Bostock and [Joseph] Sabine. Believes Honorary Memberships should be kept for princes and other very distinguished persons.

Offers to send Smith 'Lichen' specimens, as listed: 'Parmelia conoplea', 'P. ambigua', 'P. lanuginosa', 'Lecidea wulfenii' ('Verrucaria purpurascens' Hoffmann), 'Sagedia rufescens', and 'Lecidea cinereo-fusca'.

Thanks for Smith's botanical letter. Sympathises with Smith's family distresses with his own: his severe loss at death of his second son and his eldest son's having run into debt, despite his £1600 per annum, Goodenough has refused to pay the £2000 he applied for.

Sends copy of his "Sylva Britannica" for admission to Linnean Society library; his work on the book.

Change in the weather; "extraordinary phenomena" of a "yellowish substance" observed on surface of rain water cisterns which on burning proved to be sulphur; Mr Dalton the chemist says it has not been observed since the execution of Charles I and Cromwell's usurpation, as mentioned by Baker, unable to find this in his "Chronicles"; other opinions on the cause, including being swept up from volcanic mountains. Discussion of Norwich election with Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)]. A grebe taken on a ship's deck; sent to be stuffed. A very bad mackerel voyage, causing the pedlars to make trouble. Dined at the Lockwood's; a picture of Mrs Lockwood's great aunt by Sir Thomas Lawrence.