Thanks for gift of book and letter of recollections. Gratified by Lady Smith's support of her husband's late conduct [Thomas Milner Gibson (1806-1884), politician] and its contrast from the ill nature and persecution they have received from those that previously professed friendship. Invites Smith to visit.

[Note in red ink on verso of second folio giving brief biographical details of the letter sender. Letter dated 14 September but no year given]

Sir Thomas Frankland would send any letters of her husband's [Sir James Edward Smith] if he had them; he has been nervously ill for ten years and almost lost the use of his limbs. Glad the Linnean Society took on his plan [fund for purchase of Smith's collections by Linnean Society], subscribed £100 himself, and Lloyd £500. Believes he has lost or mislaid some of Smith's letters but did not destroy any, will collect them when next in Bury. Brief account of visit from General [Thomas] Hardwicke. Frequently sees [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Family deaths: his second son died suddenly last August, and his sister Mrs Palmer died a few weeks afterwards at ninety-one years old. Eldest son has a sixteen years old daughter [Susannah Arethusa Cullum], his deceased son no children.

His wife died 13 September of the intermittent fever she had suffered for last seven years, she was attended by Dr Probart and Dr Smith, and his in Rome unaware of the news as letters take a month. Did not burn any of her husbands letter [Sir James Edward Smith], though it will time consuming to collect them. Praises Dawson Turner.

In postscript writes that he just received a China vase from Dresden without any damage, would like Turner to confirm the genus and species of the moss it was packed with.