Investigated vacant Edinburgh botany professorship at Smith's request: the government made its first offer to [Robert] Brown on 18 December [1819], three days after the death of the late professor [Daniel Rutherford]; Brown refused the post and it was given to Dr [Robert] Graham [(1786-1845)]. Satisfaction he and "every well-wisher to the science" would have had if Smith had been appointed; believes it is worth £1000-1200 a year. Glasgow professorship still vacant but not as valuable. Will endeavour to procure Smith's late servant a position.

Thanks for turkey. Looked into the loss of Smith's letters, they may be in a parcel left at [Dawson] Turner's. Dulness of London.

Asks Smith to compose an epitath for [James] Dickson.

Smith's epitath for [James] Dickson much appreciated by the family, who request permission for slight changes to be made to the wording.

Received letter from [Georg Heinrich] Noehden proposing Dr [Christian Fridericus] Schwaegrichen [(1775-1853)] as FMLS; forwards nomination certificate for Smith to sign and suggests also forwarding it to [Dawson] Turner.

[Smith has annotated on recto of folio]: "sent certificate to Mr D Turner, Dec. 30 1822".

Efforts to relocate Smith's missing trunk, hopes he has received it by now. Sorry to hear that Smith suffered a cold so bad on his way to Bristol that he had to be bled; hopes he will recover with use of James' Powders and usual precautions.