Agrees with Smith that the seed-spike of the 'Phleum' he sent is a variety of 'Phleum pratense', even though it differs significantly from wild specimens he and its habit of going to seed soon after being sown make it "valuable to the farmer", discusses further attributes that differentiate it. Hopes to prove his Siberian apricot as a common apricot by obtaining a "prolific raised breed".

Found 'Eltaine hydropiper' growing plentifully in Berkshire; offers to send specimens; reluctant to reveal location.

Following a meeting of [William] Roscoe's "best and staunchest Liverpool friends" they have adopted the plan previously outlined to Smith to secure an annuity for Roscoe; as Roscoe is to visit Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] soon asks that Smith and Coke treat the matter with caution, for reasons Professor Smyth will explain. Roscoe's unselfish nature at this difficult time for him.

Smith has annotated on recto of second folio "sent £50".

Thanks for Smith's letter of 22 September. By Smith's account Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley] "a very much injured man"; recalls how unkind people, including Sir Joseph Banks' and [Thomas] Marsham, were twenty-four years ago [in 1796 Annesley won damages from John Bellenden Gawler (1764-1842), soldier, for committing adultery with his wife]. Agrees it necessary to supporting Sir Humphry Davy for Royal Society presidency, recalls how it suffered in the contest between Banks and [Samuel] Horsley [(1733-1806), bishop of St Asaph].

Does not agree with Smith's disapproval of the proceedings taken against the Queen [Caroline (1768-1821), wife of George IV] and believes that if even a small part of the allegations against her are true it leaves her unsuitable for elevated rank. Thinks Banks' peculiar attitude caused by his extensive travels, observing that travellers in Asia often return "neutralised in their notions of religion" so that Banks', after being interested in such a variety of people, objects, and events, became regardless of any. Would be happy to see "Flora Britannica" finished. The Dean of Carlisle, [Robert] Hodgson, a "zealous botanist". A recently arrived Italian has assured him that Italy is not angry with the Queen for anything except that she should not have engaged with such "a very low fellow as Bergami" [Bartolomeo Bergami, or Pergami, a pretended Milanese baron who became her courier, bodyguard, groom of the bedchamber, and major-domo].

Enclosing letters for second volume [of "A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus" (1821)]. Discusses their arrangement and page layout.

Announces his intention to publish his "History of Birds", which he intends to fund by subscription. Requests Smith's assistance. Received letter from Sir Thomas Cullum informing him of Lady [Mary] Cullum's successful cataract operation.

Written on printed prospectus and list of subscribers for "Latham's History of Birds".

Returns proofs; corrections and queries.

At Smith's request informs him of cost of the new series of "Flora Londinensis"; offers to exchange set of the 18 published numbers, "Musci exotici", and Sternberg's "Saxifrages", for "Flora Graeca". Requests any duplicate exotic specimens from Smith's herbarium. Pleased to see Smith's "Grammar of Botany" announced.

Received Smith's letter from Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Sir Thomas William Coke]. Supposes Smith occupied "by the business which has so long disgraced the house of Lords, but more so everyone of those who have brought such foul matters before them" [probably "trial" of Queen Caroline], his opinion same as Lord Harewood's speech in today's paper and regardless of whatever party is more in the wrong the business in hand is "insanity & is more likely to shake the government than the attempts of the Radicals". Prince Leopold seems to have had "some tiff" with the King [George III (1738-1820)] lately.

His son and daughter-in-law have been placing single trees and shrubs on the lawn "so zealously that the Lady carries various articles, & even digs". His son has renounced foxhunting. His own health generally good but debility and rheumatism leave him helpless at hedges and when shooting has to be pulled through.

His garden thriving: had asparagus on the 3rd and peas today, the former raised in a "pigeon holed frame" invented by McPhail which prevents manure vapours affecting the bed so the produce is sweeter. Disapproves of [Thomas] A[ndrew] Knight's "filthy practice of drenching [his] fig, & his pines, with a mixture of piegons' dung & water the colour of Porter" to guarantee multiple crops from his fig tree, received a letter reporting nine crops in fifteen months. Too few woodcocks this season to prove his theory that only males come over in first flight; encloses exterior quill feathers [not extant] of the male as example, females have a white line running most of the way from the quill to the extremity, small ink sketch illustrating this.

Copying and "tearing out likenesses in paper"; there is much chance in tracing them, encloses example of "old Mrs Warburton, well known in the society at York 30 or 40 years ago", requests its return. Just requested specimen of 'Menziesia caerulea' from Scotland and will attempt to procure 'Menziesia polifolia' through his sister, Lady Roche, in Dublin.

No doubt of Sir Humphry Davy's election as President of the Royal Society. Account of first Linnean Society meeting of the season, attended in "great force", though once the reading of [William Elford] Leach's entomological paper is complete there will be a lack of papers; hopes Smith will be able to supply the gap. Proposes that the Linnean Society lease Sir Joseph Banks' house on expiry of lease of their Gerrard Street rooms; [Robert] Brown is amenable. [Alexander] Macleay detained in Scotland by illness of his daughter, who has scarlet fever. Proposes that Brown's salary is raised and attached solely to his office as Librarian, with "some inferior person" replacing his duties as Clerk.

The Linnean Club met recently but they have lost William Smith's membership, and seceders to the new club have also reduced their numbers.

Returns proofs and sends further manuscripts. Corrects spelling of "public" to "publick", according to Dr Johnson. Corrects headlines. Will prepare specimens for the engraved autographs.

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.

Since last letter received four male woodcocks from an outkeeper and has not seen one dead or alive since. Favourable season for his son's shrub planting; tempertature 52°F today. His son went to York nursery recently and found 'Menziesia caerulea'; proprieter says it is difficult to keep alive. Stopped Duke of Gordon's factotum [James Hoy], brother to [Thomas] Hoy [(c 1750-1822)], the Sion gardener, getting anything from the 'Menziesia caerulea' growing at Inverness.

Asks Smith to recommend a "Genera plantarum" more recent than his Vienna 1767 edition. Request to [James] Dickson for price of cut asparagus 3 November met with "almost a doubt of the possibility of having it so early", but they cut 274 this morning in addition to a regular supply since they began, and in addition it is sweeter than that raised by common process as the pigeon holed frames keeps the manure detached from the bed.

Accepts Smith's invitation to Norwich, [Norfolk], and will be happy to also see [William] Roscoe, depending on the date. They have lost a "much valued friend" in death of [Thomas] Woodward.

Pleased to hear of Roscoe's work at Holkham [cataloguing Thomas William Coke's manuscript collection] and his plan to visit them in Norwich; proposes date so that he can meet the Fountaines and will also invite the Bishop [of Norwich, Henry Bathurst (c 1744-1837)] and the Southwells. Asks whether the Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)] is visiting Holkham and if they will attend the Fox dinner at Norwich. Busy with [Albrecht von] Haller's [(1708-1777), botanist] "very curious" letters to Linnaeus [for "A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus.." (1821)]. Received "chests upon chests" of dried plants from [Nathaniel] Wallich, he speaks highly of Roscoe. Regards to Coke's family.

Sends list of subscribers to his "History of Birds" [extant]; he has received permission to dedicate it to the King [George IV (1762-1830)]. He will commence printing as soon as subscribers reach 150. Criticises [Coenraad Jacob] Temminck's [(1778-1858), zoologist] work [probably "Manuel d'ornithologie" (1815)]. Looking forward to Smith's "Linnaean correspondence".

Written on printed prospectus and list of subscribers for "Latham's History of Birds".

Arrived in London the first night of popular celebrations and illuminations for the Queen [Caroline (1768-1821), wife of George IV]; the people were "quite besides themselves, knowing nothing & hearing nothing but merely bragging that they had got the day" [following announcement on 10 November 1820 that the bill brought against her would not proceed to House of Commons].

Suffered an attack of gout shortly after arriving. Sir Humphry Davy elected president of Royal Society in spite of last minute canvassing by Mr Croker of the Admiralty for Lord Colchester [Charles Abbot, 1st Baron Colchester (1757-1829), statesman]. Lady Banks has left Soho Square and the house is let for £200 per annum by [Robert] Brown, doubling his still inadequate income. Equates the tumults in Parliament to those of "poor Charles I's time". Sent a barrel of oysters for Smith.

[This letter appears to be a later copy and is not in Smith's hand]

Sends manuscripts, hopes to send a large part of the remained of the second volume [of "A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus" (1821)] after the holidays. Encloses samples for engraving of autographs.

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.

Thanks for turkey. Corrêa de Serra is staying with him for a few days before going to Brazil via Paris. Pleased to hear of Smith's progress with publishing Linnaeus' letters. Found 'Silene lusitanica' in Berkshire, and 'Campanula patula' in East Hampstead. Truncated postscript enquiring whether Lady Smith left items at their house the last time they stayed.

[Letter incomplete: sections cropped, including part of Forster's postscript, presumed destroyed]