Condolences to Smith and Lady Smith on death of their "very near & dear relatives", including Smith's mother, draws comparison to [John] Fraser's [(c 1750-1811), botanist] death and Smith's contribution to the science of botany.

Has been extending and examining his collection of 'Scitamineae' with use of Smith's remarks in Rees' "New Cyclopedia", and living plants of the whole Indian family sent by Dr [William] Carey [(1761-1834)] and [Nathaniel] Wallich, the latter has also sent large chests of plants for the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden, just arrived. Lists plants he is anxious about, with Latin characters: 'Hedychium gardnerianum', 'Roscoea purpurea', 'Canna napalensis'; further notes on his arrangement of 'Curcuma', 'Hedychium', and 'Roscoea'. His business arrangements almost finally arranged but has not been able to escape unjust attacks from people wishing to take advantage.

Apologises for not being able to spend more time with Smith and Lady [Pleasance] Smith during their recent stay in Liverpool. About to move to St James's Mount and unsure what course his life will take but hopes it will be removed from "mercantile speculations or the squabbles & quibbles of lawyers". Comments on remarks made by the Chancellor respecting an incident involving his business troubles and an imminent change in law.

Responds to Smith's letter of from Arley Hall [28 July 1820] and thanks for introduction to Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley], whom he first met in London when they helped establish the African Institution. Comments on the curiousness of Mountnorris' East India 'Scitamineae' drawings of, particularly 'Zingiber'. Reminds Smith of a letter he previously wrote on genus 'Thalia', which is still in need of elucidation. Since Smith's departure 'Hedychium angustifolium' has flowered and 'Hedychium excelsum' is about to, and 'Alpinia mutica' for the first time in Britain. Tormented with rheumatism but intends to visit Norwich before winter.

Cataloguing the Holkham manuscripts [home of Thomas William Coke] taking longer than expected but has revealed the collection's importance; believes a published catalogue would be well received. Lady [Anne Margaret (1779-1843), née Coke] is making copies of some illuminations. Constant use of Codington's balsam has improved his rheumatism from when Smith was here. Duke of Gloucester [Prince William Frederick (1776-1834)] and Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)] expected, current visitors include Sir Ronald Ferguson [(1773-1841), army officer and politician].

Postscript in margin of verso of first folio: beauty of the Coke ladies.

Nearly finished with his [cataloguing of Thomas William Coke's manuscript collection] at Holkham but thinks the project may have been beyond his capabilities. Ill-health caused the Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)] to defer his visit to Holkham. Dawson Turner visited and assisted with the manuscripts and has invited him to stay. Urges Smith not to invite too many people when he comes to Norwich as he is anxious for some rest following his two month stay at Holkham and the constant succession of guests. Mortal illness of Mrs Blackwell. Anxious about circumstances in Liverpool but confident he will not be called away.

According to Linnaean sexual system, with headings "Monandria" and "Diandria".

[Probably from Roscoe's working papers for his "Monandrian plants of the order Scitamineae.." (1828)]

Sketch drawings in ink and pencil of reproductive organs of 'Canna', 'Maranta', 'Thalia', 'Myrosma', 'Alpinia', 'Zingiber', 'Amomum', 'Costus', 'Kaempferia', 'Curcuma', 'Colebrookia', and 'Gen. nov. au. Bot.'. Labels for 'Phrynium' and 'Philydrum' but no drawings.

[Probably from Roscoe's working papers for his "Monandrian plants of the order Scitamineae.." (1828)]

Observations: 'Hellenia' of Retzius and Willdenow appears to be 'Alpinia'; 'Renealmia' omitted, 'Renealmia exaltata' resembles 'Globba uviformis' and 'Renealmia' of Andrews Bot Rep are 'Alpinia'; 'Amomum' divided into 'Zingiber' and 'Amomum'; 'Amomum zedoaria' is a 'Curcuma'; 'Hornstedtia' of Willdenow to be considered; 'Alpinia comosa' of Willdenow is a 'Costus'; and 'Globba' to be further examined.

[Probably from Roscoe's working papers for his "Monandrian plants of the order Scitamineae.." (1828)]

Greatly pleased to meet Corrêa today at [Robert] Brown's but unsure whether he intends to visit Smith at Norwich even though Corrêa is to stay much longer than he expected. Had a "stout tug" with Brown on 'Scitamineae', particularly 'Thalia', but could not decide whether [Edward] Rudge's plants should be united with 'Maranta', 'Thalia', or form a new genus; discusses the new genus, 'Calathea', formed from 'Maranta casupo' Jacquin "Fragmenta [botanica]" in [Georg Friedrich Wilhelm] Meyer's new "[Primitiae] florae Essequeboensis".

Informed by Fanny Blackwell that her mother, Mrs Blackwell, is kept alive only by use of blisters; doubts her recovery. Lady [Anne Margaret] Anson's [(1779-1843)] daughter, Georgiana, has very ill but past the worst. Thanks the Smiths for their hospitality at Norwich.

Sending letter via Benson Rathbone. Forthcoming publications: publishing a 48 volume collection of the Italian poets with Mr Valpy, the London printer, discusses his ideas for the series; writing a life of [Alexander] Pope [(1688-1744), poet] and publishing a new edition of Pope's works with an association of London booksellers, a considerable labour considering the continuing debate as to his moral and poetical characters; adding an additional volume to his "Life of Lorenzo"; and his "Holkham Catalogue" [of manuscripts in library of Thomas William Coke].

'Hedychium excelsum' has flowered and a new species of 'Roscoea' sent as a species of 'Orchis' about to flower [at Liverpool Botanic Garden]; proposes name 'speciosa' or 'lucida', further remarks on the plant. Has made additions to genus 'Canna' and drawn up synoptical table of 20 species, and similar for 'Hedychium' and 'Curcuma' [for his "Monandrian plants of the order Scitamineae.."]. Thanks Smith for "Correspondence of Linnaeus & other Naturalists". Smith's anecdote about identity of the peach and nectarine reminds him of a similar confusion at Liverpool Botanic Garden where an unknown plant was distributed as 'Hedychium flavum' until it dramatically increased in size the following year and turned out to be 'H. coronarium'; [Roscoe has made a sketch of the flower, in ink].

Apologises to Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley] for detaining his 'Scitamineae' figures for so long; has made copies.

Taking up Smith's proposal of his going direct from London to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke], and visiting his friends at Norwich [Smith] and Yarmouth [Dawson Turner]. Publishing a vindication of himself. Failed to see Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley] at Sir George Cockburn's [10th baronet (1772-1853), naval commander]. Eager to finish his "wearisome task" in London; hopes it will answer purpose of showing [Jean Charles Léonard] de Sismondi [(1773-1842), historian and economist] in his "true light". Intends to finish his catalogue [of Holkham manuscripts] whilst there.

Delaying his visit to Smith in Norwich depending on whether [Dawson] Turner comes to visit him at Holkham [home of Thomas William Coke]. Lord and Lady Nugent [George Nugent-Grenville, 2nd Baron Nugent (1788-1850)] and Lord and Lady William Bentinck [Lord William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck (1774–1839), army officer and diplomatist] are leaving, and death of Mrs Anson, mother of late Lord Anson, will curtail further invitations for time being. May have his catalogue of the Holkham manuscripts finished before he leaves. His happiness at time he spent at Holkham with Smith and Lady Smith.

Suffering from a nervous debility caused by overwork; fears he will be unable to take up invitation to Norfolk. Preparing to publish a memoir of Monandrian plants and would like Smith's opinion on his figures. Received letter from [Nathaniel] Wallich giving an account of his expedition to Nepal and Singapore, the diseases he suffered, and the "immense acquisitions" he has made, which form the most valuable collection of living plants the Liverpool Botanic Garden has ever received, including 'Scitamineae' roots which are already shooting thanks to being packed in moss; he did not have time to write to Smith. Rejoices with Smith on marriage of his "amiable niece".

Thanks for hospitality during his stay at Norwich. Literary activities: his work on [Alexander] Pope [(1688-1744), poet] drawing to a conclusion with just the biography to be printed; expecting to publish first part of his botanical work ["Monandrian plants"], in which is giving give the generic and specific characters and descriptions in English as his botanical phraseology is too limited; as Smith and [William] Roxburgh did in "Exotic Botany" and "Flora Indica".

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].

Sends letter via Dr [William Jackson] and Mrs Hooker. Thanks for Smith's letter of 28 January; sorry to hear of death of his "excellent nephew" in India and comments on the "numerous instances" of similar losses of "our young & adventurous friends in the Western world".

Overwhelmed by the literary work he has undertaken, even though he has almost finished work on [Alexander] Pope [(1688-1744), poet] and the third part on "penal jurisprudence". Third and fourth parts of his "Monandrian Plants" about to appear; notes on 'Maranta', 'Phrynium', and 'Thalia', settled by communications from West Indies; 'Myrosma' cultivated abundantly in Martinique and they expect it at [Liverpool] Botanic Garden, worries it might be a 'Phrynium'; an 'Alpinia auriculata' appearing in his next number, along with figure of [Robert] Brown's 'Hellenia cerulea'. Thanks for Smith's good wishes respecting his son, Thomas, who has settled indepently with his "little family" in Camden Town.

[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]

Apologises for delay in responding to Smith; he has been in a state of "unaccountable indolence & debility" with his only exertion being the publication of his "Monandrian Plants"; retierates principal point of the work, being to ascertain precise limits of genera 'Maranta', 'Phrynium', and 'Thalia', and settling points on 'Castus'. Received letter from Thomas William Coke; was anxious to hear of Coke's feverish attack. Hopes to meet Smith again soon.

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.

Only just received Smith's letter of 7 April [1826]. Pleased by Smith's opinion of his "Monandrian Plants". Discusses plants to be included in his proposed genus 'Matonia', the true 'Cardamom' of the East and 'Renealmia/Alpinia exaltata'; notes on character. Obtained specimens of an 'Amomum' nearly related to Smith's 'A. macrospermum', the 'Zingiber melegueta' of Gaertner. Hopes Smith's family are relieved from the "vexation & anxiety" arising from the character of Mr Martin's business partner; defends himself for not saying anything of it at the time.

Postscript in margin of recto of first folio: on Smith's recommendation giving his synoptical tables in Latin, not English.

Smith's ["English Flora"] will fulfill a "desideratum in the botany of this country that no other hand could have supplied". Discusses forthcoming numbers of his "Monandrian Plants", including: 'Maranta divaricata'; 'Phrynium parkeri'; 'Thalia geniculata'; compared 'Phrynium myrosma' with 'Myrosma canniformis' from Smith's herbarium and identified error by [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow who should have named 'Phrynium capitatum' 'Myrosma capitata'.

Received from Demarara preserved flower of largest 'Amomum', conludes it is the melegueta pepper, or grains of paradise; observations. Committed to finishing his work before visiting Smith. Anxious about Dawson Turner's health. Unsure of reaction to his 'Matonia', which will unite the "finest aromatic plants of the Easter and Western Hemisphere"; asks Smith to review his materials.

The severe winter confined him to home. Dissuades Smith from undertaking a cryptogamic flora after conclusion his present work ["English Flora"] on account of the enormous extent, minuteness of research, and Smith's bad eye-sight; believes such a work unworthy of Smith's station and talents.

Unable to finish his description of 'Amomum melegueta' despite use of Smith's observations and article on 'Melegueta' in "Cyclopedia"; will wait for Smith to see his observations and drawing, with Mr Graves, the colourer, at Peckham, [Surrey]. Included 'Cardamom' plant and 'Renealmia/Alpinia exaltata' in his genus 'Matonia'; defends the latter with references to Smith's "Cyclopedia" article, [William] Roxburgh's "Plants of the Coast of Coromandel", and White's "Linnean Transactions" vol 10 paper ['A Botanical Description and Natural History of the Malabar Cardamom']. Disappointed to not join the Smiths at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke].