Account of his journey from Norwich, [Norfolk], to Birmingham: unwittingly shared the coach from Newmarket to Cambridge with Mr Hustler of Trinity [College], one of the adverse tutors [to Smith's Cambridge professorship candidacy]; delight at seeing the Beauchamp Chapel in St Mary's Church, Warwick; Birmingham feels a dirty and close town. His first lecture at 7 this evening; no anxiety; the room not painted for fear of his inconvenience; attended sermons and meeting by Dr [James] Yates and Mr S W Brown

He is here "in paradise, both mentally & bodily", staying with Mr and Mrs Corrie; their characters. He lectures on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7pm; fuller every time than the last; plenty of ladies, all in evening dress; supplied with flowers from Mrs Corrie's garden and a nursery. Dined with Dr and Mrs Parr. His health remains good. Visited [James] Watt [(1769-1848), engineer] and saw the "Cyclops" at work in his "truly infernal abode".

Hears of no public disturbances and the "respectable dissenters" take no part; has learnt the true history of the "famous riots" [Priestly Riots of 14 to 17 July 1791 targetted religious dissenters in Birmingham]. Informed that it is "lucky" to have Monk for an enemy [Smith's Cambridge pamphlet]. He is very homesick. Saw [James] Watt's [(1736-1819), engineer] "charming abode".

Account of his time in Birmingham: visited some "curious manufactories" and dined at Mr Mouillet's; dined at Mr Eyre Lee's; dined with Dr [James] Yates and Dr Parr; has taken a violent cold and sudden feverish catarrah, but now better, though could not lecture on Friday so Yates read one on his behalf; he has had many thanks for the good he does the town, and Institution, and the taste and knowledge he is said to promote. Enquires about presents to buy Pleasance. Mr Galton's house and family. Reassures Pleasance he has no symptom of pulmonary inflammation. Asks after candlesticks and cutlery.

His "adventures" have been "uninterruptedly prosperous". His last lecture at Birmingham the most well attended. Account of his journey from Birmingham to London, via Stratford-upon-Avon, saw Shakespeare's house; Oxford, where he saw Prince Leopold dubbed LLD, and worked in Sherardian herbarium, dined with Dr [George] Williams, who is pleased by his pamphlets and the Oxford people all flattered. Called at [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's and heard that Mrs Lochée died 1 October and that Mrs [Catherine] Lambert deranged. On 1 November was unanimously elected Professor of Botany at the Royal Institution. Attended Horticultural Society and Linnean Society meetings.

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]

Apologises for delay in replying to Lady Smith's note, which she had hoped to do at same time as returning [Carl Peter] Thunberg's letters to Sir James [Edward Smith], but they are taking longer than anticipated. Will call at Surrey Street soon.

A dinner with Correa, [Robert] Brown, [Charles] Konig, and Hare; Mr Forster thinks Correa's mental powers are failing. Correa's opinion of America. Walked to [Stoke] Newington and visited the Aikins, Mrs Barbauld, Mrs Lee, and Revd Mr Bransby. Unable to see [Nathaniel] Kindersley [Smith's cousin] before he goes to India. Visited Loddiges [plant nursery] where they have raised hundreds of 'Rhododendrum arboreum' from his seeds. His future activities. Has not heard anything yet about their journey to Southampton._x000D_

[Explanatory notes in pencil, by another hand, on first folio]_x000D_

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]

Account of Linnean Society anniversary meeting: 72 at the dinner, greatest number yet; lists attendees; details of his speech. Is to visit Lady Ramsay on the Isle of Wight with Harriet. There were 20 subscribers above the 120 wanted for Sir Joseph Banks' bust by [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor]. New Linnean Society house [in Soho Square] costs less than the old one [in Gerard Street]. His first [Royal Institution] lecture on 28 May and second on 31 May. Suffered a headache, now cleared. Prince Leopold did not attend [Linnean Society meeting] or send an answer, which they wonder at.

Account of his [and Harriet's] journey from London to Cowes, including visit to Dr Hill and family in Southampton. Account of their reception by Lady Ramsay and her son, who is a keen botanist, and how they have spent their time. The "Linnaean Correspondence" much admired and likely to sell well; his "Grammar of Botany" ridiculously abused in the "Eclectic Review".

Account of his journey from Southampton to London, via Winchester, where he admired the cathedral and met [John] Latham. His London engagements. His future movements; intends to return to Norwich by end of June. Asks for directions regarding present of dress or ornament.

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]

Frederick [Smith's brother] still in town. Account of his time in London: visited Westminster Abbey; dined with [William Fitt] Drake at [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's; tiring Audit and Council meetings [at Linnean Society]; Linnean Society anniversary meeting; a wish expressed for a bust of Smith to be made by [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor], as companion to the one of Sir Joseph Banks; only 49 present at the dinner, compared to 70 last year, held in the Free Masons' tavern; Bishop [of Carlisle, Samuel Goodenough] and [Edward] Rudge informed him that the agricultural distress "is in a great measure imaginary"; visit to the British gallery with the Drake and Harriet [Drake's wife?]; went to Royal Institution, is not lecturing this year, but finds they are much called for, may lecture next year, London Institution have also asked him to lecture; visited the Miss Blackwells and assumed they were grave on account of [Thomas William] Coke's marriage but was in fact sudden death of Duchess of Grafton; visits to Lord Stanley, Lady Anson, Lady Scott wife of Sir Claude Scott, Duke of Norfolk, Lady Petre, and Lady Hervé and Miss Caton. Meeting with Coke and Lady Anne, his new wife; alterations at Holkham. Visits to R Kindersley [Smith's cousin]; Lord Stafford's pictures; Lady Banks; [James] Sowerby; the Munros; Major and Mrs Sandham. Plans to visit Sir Thomas Cullum in Bury, [Suffolk]. His feverish and pulmonary symptoms all gone. Harriet admitted a fellow of the Linnean Society in form. Saw [Dawson] Turner at anniversary meeting. Mr Crabbe received £3000 from Murray for copyright to his poems.

Puzzled to understand how Smith has made Harriet [Drake, William Drake's wife] FLS. Her aunt [with whom she is staying] looking well; changes to the garden; saw ruined church at Covehill and another at Southwould in good repair; bought china, description and small sketch; local prices for agricultural produce, the present state is "ruinous", other agricultural distresses; her findings from researching the Sidney family.

Glad neither Pleasance or sister-in-law suffered by the accident [unspecified]. Their journey to Holkham [home of Thomas William Coke]. Plans for Pleasance to join them at Holkham in October, following his lectures in Birmingham. Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)] and [William] Roscoe also to visit. Lists current guests. A game of "long shilling". Shall be cautious when eating fruits. Reading "Voice from St Helena".

Hopes Frederick [Smith's brother] will be careful whilst staying in their house. His accommodation arrangements for his time in Birmingham. Arrangements for their going to Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]. Will not think ill of Lord A. His lectures "very fully & genteelly attended" and he receives "much attention & commendation", there are Cambridge men who also approve highly. His health good except for a feverish catarrh, and escaped all visits under pretence of health. His visit to Edgbaston Hall, now occupied by Dr Edward Johnstone. Sorry to hear of riots near Pleasance.

Staying at Mr Lee's at Edgbaston: his and Dr Johnstone's families and homes. His seventh lecture this evening. Arrangements for their visit to Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]. Bought cutlery.

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]

Exhilarated by the very full audiences at his lectures, which finish on Saturday. People he has stayed with. Details of his intended return journey. Enquired after pumps; his findings. Received no letters or plants from Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley]. His efforts to reconciliate Miss Coke and her father [Thomas William Coke]; conflicts in that family.

His journey to Holkham [home of Thomas William Coke]. Lists the guests, including the Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)]. The Fens in high beauty, with trees still in leaf. Transcribes epitaph Edward Richards, "an ideot", in Edgbaston churchyard, [near Birmingham, Warwickshire], in danger of entire destruction.

Met Master Coke [son of Thomas William Coke], recovering from near fatal influenza. Mrs S Stanhope miscarried at 4 months. Has seen Lady Andover; Mr Dickenson; [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, his wife [Catherine] much less disturbed than last year; Mrs Bostock, who says Mrs Martin, [Smith's sister, Fanny], deceived in Mr Martin's business abilities; the Sims; visited Dr Baillie, who is ill, prescribed opium for his complaint. Ages of various friends.

His visit to Sunninghill, [Berkshire], to visit his cousins [the Kindersleys]; the children. Attended last Linnean Society meeting of the season. Botanised at Soho Square and saw Belzoni's "famous sarcophagus" at the British Museum. Regathered his strength following cholera attack with milk and rose conserve. His time at Upton and Hale's End, [Essex], with the Forsters: attended a Quaker's meeting at Plaistow, [Essex]; saw Mr and Mrs Dimsdale. Invited by [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor] to discuss his bust.

Sir Thomas and Lady Cullum "tolerably well", though Sir Thomas had an eruption in his legs. Account of remainder of his time in London, including his meeting with [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor]; breakfasted with [Thomas] Forster, who is forced to give up Bleak Hall; attended dinner at Mr Malkin's. Visited Ickworth and Mr Barnwell with Lady Cullum; too much Portugal laurel.

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]

Sorry Sir James [Edward Smith] could not visit him in Bury following his own visit to Smith in Saxmundham; hopes his health is recovering. Lady Cullum's trip to Brighton did not revive her health; she is now taking ass's milk to prevent "an irregular & teazing intermittent fever". His son and daughter-in-law staying in Pisa so she can treated by the "celebrated Dr Vacca", but as the baths of Barèges, [France], and Sorrento, [Italy], doubts the worth of this. Death of Sir William Watson [(1744-1824), physician and naturalist]; recalls that when he stayed in Bath he would meet at Governor Pounal's house with Sir William, Dr Parry, [Thomas] Velley, [John] Stackhouse, Sir Thomas Frankland, Archbishop of York [William Markham (1719-1807)], and Dr Falkner, reminded of death of Sir Joseph Banks and the loss of a place where so many friends would meet together.