Thanks for turkey. Sir James Graham [1st baronet, (d 1824)] cannot expect to be made vice-president if elected to Linnean Society Council, on the Council's recommendation, he as he has only attended the Society once.

Kept here [home of Kindersleys, Smith's cousins] by a feverish complaint; asks [Thomas] Marsham or [William George] Maton to take Linnean Society Chair. Encloses letter from "good" Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley, to be returned.

His health much better but his "perfect recovery will require much time". Pleased to hear of Smith's recovery from his "very severe" summer illness.

Linnean Society continues to get many candidates for admission but few papers; requests a paper for next meeting. [William] Smith and [Charles Sinclair] Cullen elected FLS; [Thomas Thynne, 2nd] Marquess of Bath [(1765-1837)] and Bishop of Salisbury [John Fisher (1748-1838)] now both candidates. Informed by [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert some time ago that the Prince [Regent, later George IV (1762-1830)] was to become the Society's royal patron, has not heard anything since. Asks if [William George] Maton has written to Smith on proposed Linnean Dining Club; some "not very friendly to the plan" but he likes it much.

Just returned from 10 days at [Thomas William] Coke's at Holkham [Hall, Norfolk]; unable will send a paper for tonight's Linnean Society meeting but will do for the next. Recovered from his illness since August but caught a cold on way to Holkham. The Prince Regent [later George IV (1762-1830)] wishes to become the Society's patron but the matter is stationary until he is free from restrictions on his involvement with chartered bodies; Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley, "our zealous friend, is on the watch for the completion of the business". Had not heard of plan for a Linnean Dining Club, but "supposes it will be a good plan, as nothing is done in London without eating & drinking"; offers his assistance in removing anyone's reluctance.

Has suffered from "a most fiery boil" on his nose for the last week. Intends to send a botanical paper for next Linnean Society meeting from [Constantine Samuel Rafinesque] Schmaltz of Palermo, [Sicily], once he has finished correcting the "ludicrous" English. Surprised and happy to see [Thomas] Marsham here in the autumn.

He and his nose better; like Macleay he is of "an inflammatory constitution, w[hi]ch requires care, but is better than a low one pronce to typhus, gangrene, cancer, & a long list of blue devils". Sent a turkey to Macleay. Will rejoice to join Macleay's club [probably Linnean Dining Club] "with all my heart". Hopes to bring his wife, [Pleasance Smith], to London in April, or sooner if they can visit the William Smith on the way.

He has been at Carlton House, [London, home of the Prince Regent, later George IV (1762-1830)]: agreed that Macleay and all the vice-presidents of the Linnean Society should attend the first levee, expected next week, and Macleay to have the page ornamented [for the Prince to bestow his patronage on the Society].

Safely returned home, his departure necessitated by his being "feverish weak" and unable to attend to anything; treating himself with James's powder but "felt so sudden a relief even at Mile End, [...] as if some great mental as well as bodily evil were suddenly taken off". Urges Macleay to change his situation as recommended, as though many have "a frame of adamant, a soul of fire" [Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), writer] and can bear the airs of London, "many sink under them"; recounts how he himself "struggled for 7 years in [Great] Marlbro' Street".

Received Macleay's packet but only just able to respond; much pleased with the address. "What an alarming thing is this murder!". Nursing himself in order to be able to travel to London in stages to finish his lectures and attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting, which he has never yet missed.

Too ill to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting, the first time he has missed "that happy & flattering day". He is now trying bark for his fever, and hopes to be in London for 2 June to finish his lectures, "a great object" to him. His "dear friend & relation", Mrs Kindersley, has just died, leaving 8 children. Will ask the Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] to preside at Society meeting.

Still ill, and can "hardly go up or down stairs without exhaustion", though the bark has stopped his intermittent fever many times. He and the Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] agree on electing the Bishop of Durham [Brownlow North] an Honorary Member, will appoint the vice-presidents by letter, as he did with [Thomas] Marsham.

Just come from Gerrard Street [Linnean Society anniversary meeting], all regretted Smith's absence. Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington] unanimously elected an Honorary Member. Delivered Smith's note for [William] Borrer to [Dawson] Turner.

Still too ill to attend tomorrow's Linnean Society meeting; acknowledges honour of being re-elected President; hopes to attend last meeting of the season on 16 June; his regret at meeting the anniversary meeting for the first time, appoints by letter Samuel Goodenough, Aylmer Bourke Lambert, Thomas Marsham, and William George Maton as vice-presidents.

Thanks Macleay for being so prompt in sending account of the Linnean Society anniversary meeting. His health is improving so much that he hopes soon to come to London, attend the Linnean Society, wait on the Prince Regent [later George IV (1762-1830)], and perhaps finish his lectures. Asks that [Robert] Brown forward the seeds from Paris waiting for him at Sir Joseph Banks'.

Still too ill to go to London; his current progress; hopes to go to Lowestoft, [Suffolk], in 10 days. Asks Macleay to inform Colonel [Thomas] Hardwicke about Smith's illness. May come to London in the autumn to attend the Prince Regent [later George IV (1762-1830)].

Feels in better health than for the last 12 months. Received letter from [Olof] Swartz informing him that [Erik] Acharius is complaining over lack of acknowledgement of the lichens he sent. Intends to forward book on Swedish botany received for Linnean Society once he has looked over it. Wrote to Colonel [John] McMahon [(c 1754-1817), Private Secretary to the Sovereign 1811-1817] as Macleay suggested.

Congratulates Macleay on the recovery of his daughter's health. Encloses paper received in a packet for Linnean Society. He is so "very pressed" by Rees' "Cyclopedia" and third part of "Florae Graecae prodromus" he is unable to do anything else, and has cancelled a trip to Holkham [Hall, home of Thomas William Coke]. William Smith to sleep here tonight after his election victory, "not so much that of a party man as a good man", both Norwich members now FLS [other member Charles Harvey].

Thanks [William George] Maton for prescription of "powdered chamomile flowers" for his autumnal headaches.

Thanks Macleay for forwarding a packet from [William Jackson] Hooker. Anxious about Sir Joseph Banks' health.

Having "great hopes" of being elected Professor of Botany at Cambridge University, whenever [Thomas] Martyn sees a favourable moment to resign, he asks Macleay to enquire the method for applying for a knighthood, which he previously declined when pressed to upon by his Linnean friends. Would like to apply for the honour as president of the Linnean Society, and before the election of a professor is announced, so it does not seem on that account only. Intends to explain his "seeming inconsistency" at a Society Council when he comes to London.

Thanks for Macleay's letter and interest in his concerns. Sorry Macleay has been so busy, but rejoices at the "glorious cause" of his multiplied engagements", in reference to the Dutch. Sent Macleay game from Holkham [Hall, home of Thomas William Coke], where the Duke of Gloucester [Prince William (1776-1834), chancellor of Cambridge University] was also staying.

He has made "considerable progress" in his views at Cambridge [candidacy for botany professorship], does not doubt succeeding, and may get botanic garden appointment in the meantime, enabling him to lecture in April, but more doubtful of this. Determined not to be knighted until he at least gets that appointment; thanks for Macleay's assistance, means to receive it as president of the Linnean Society. Asks that the Society forward money owing to [James] Sowerby, who is in debt with him, as are [John] Sibthorp's executors.