Anticipating visit from the Smiths on 1 May. He has been ill since last July with a liver complaint; mixed health of the rest of his family.
No recovery as yet for Sir Joseph Banks; Sir Everard Home [(1756-1832), physician] says his stomach is failing but insists on eating pork, rejected Goodenough's suggestion of a milk diet. Does not think any attempt has been made to draw off attendance from the Linnean dining club held at the British Coffee House, which [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert now "disclaims entirely".
His plans for visiting London. Hopes to procure for Smith duplicates and notes of his Indian plants which would make considerable additions to Smith's "Adversaria Botanica" which he hopes Smith will set about in earnest.
Waiting for Lady Cullum to have her cataract operation before coming to London; hopes to attend meetings of Antiquarian and Horticultural Societies and Linnean Society anniversary meeting, though Smith will have to announce deaths of [John] Stackhouse and [Thomas] Woodward. The "celebrated" Arthur Young [(1741-1820)] of the Board of Agriculture died recently at Bradfield, near Bury. Introduces Mr Longstaff, bearer of this letter and an astronomcial lecturer. Hopes to attend some of Smith's Royal Institution lectures on "the affinities of plants" in May. Has grown plants of either Smith's 'Dianthus virgineus' or 'Dianthus alpinus' from his "Tour of the Continent" from seeds collected on ruins of Catullus' villa on Lake Garda. 'Tulipa sylvestris', 'Rheum undulatum', and 'Scrophularia vernalis' coming into flower soon.
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.
Enquiry regarding the possibility of a vacancy in the position of organist at the cathedral. If there is, he knows a suitable candidate.
Sending all his papers on the deviations of tints, suitably amended to give DB due acknowledgement. Queries regarding some of DB's statements. Supports his theories in a new paper he has written for the Cambridge Philosophical Society.
Further news regarding the position of organist at Hereford. Hopes JH's parents are well.
Reasons why his father does not wish to become the president of the Astronomical Society. Has attended a meeting of the Philosophical Society. Please send three or four copies of the address of the Astronomical Society.
Declining invitation for William Herschel to be President of the Astronomical Society.
Sending proofs. Details of type, agrees about not having woodcuts. Intends to call on Nichols during his time at Thomas Furly Forster's at Clapton in May. Declines receiving any further [Emanuel Mendez] da Costa's [(1717-1791), naturalist] as they are chiefly mineralogical.
Fears that a letter written to him in November may not have reached him. Will send him a copy of his paper of colors. A Philosophical Society has been formed at Cambridge.
Further invitation to breakfast with them and Sir Walter Scott.
In mourning for four relatives, including his and Lady Smith's mothers. Going to Thomas Furly Forster's in Clapton, [Essex], for a week before going onto London, and then to lecture in Liverpool in May. Hopes to see Cullum at Horticultural and Linnean Society meetings in May. Laments deaths of [Thomas] Woodward and [Jeremiah] Ives [(d 1820), mayor of Norwich 1786 and 1801] of Catton, [Norfolk]. Thinks Cullum's plant is 'Dianthus virgineus', requests dried specimens of 'Tulipa sylvestris'. Has solicited for Mr Longstaff's astronomical lectures. Preparing for the press "very curious" letters from Dillenius to Linnaeus and to Dr Richardson.
Notes that although [Emanuel Mendez] da Costa's [(1717-1791), naturalist] manuscripts are chiefly concerned with mineralogy there are several on botany from [George] Edwards [(1694-1773)], [Georg Dionysius] Ehret [(1708-1770)], Knolles, [John] Martyn [(1699-1768)], [Philip] Miller, [Richard] Pulteney, and some others, and are available for Smith's use [for "A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus" (1821)].
No news of the Board of Longitude. Has informed Thomas Beckwith that JH will be with him on Wednesday. Gives an example in functions.
Cambridge University has agreed to build a new observatory [Madingley Road] and now the matter of collecting subscriptions for it must begin.
Has received his letter written in November a little late. Observations on refraction and allied subjects.
Announces new Astronomical Society. Invites HW to become associate. Mentions planned observatory at Cape of Good Hope.
The organist is to be judged by the Chapter. Will bear JH's suggestion in mind. Wishes JH could be considered for the Lucasian Professorship. Would like to meet him if possible. Unable to understand one of his papers.