Understands and accepts Hodgson's reasons for resigning as FLS but if he had notice would have tried to controvert some of those reasons. Always pleased to see botany "cultivated by persons eminent in character or station". Mutual benefits of clergy studying botany. Believes the study of nature is "inferior to none in dignity or utility", never meeting more than one "fanatic" who thought otherwise, "gibbeted" him [unnamed] in a note in Linnaeus' "Lapland Tour".

Resigning as FLS to reduce his expenses as his professional situation [Dean of Chester] causes him to subscribe to many charitable institutions.