Suffering from a long and severe inflammation of the lungs, preventing him from going to London. Asks Sowerby to send any "Flora Graeca" plates or patterns to look over.

Note [in Sowerby's hand] listing plates and patterns sent.

Returns plates [for "Flora Graeca"] with his approval; unfortunate accident with drawing of 'Reseda alba', though it is only the first accident of the kind. Sowerby's name engraver is a "precious blockhead", wishes him to copy only what he writes. Instructions on use of capital letters.

Uncertain what sort of zoologists Sowerby is working with, "but most of them now are doing all they can to corrupt the science, splitting & subdividing without science or learning"; laments the mischief caused at the British Museum by [William Elford] Leach, "his labours [...] are only a monument of his insanity". Discusses 'Patella craniolaris' of Linnaeus. His late complaint of cholera "quite gone". Sends 10 drawings, 476-485.

Anxiously awaiting another parcel of plates of "Flora Graeca" from Sowerby. Their planned route from Bristol to London, including a visit to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert at Boyton, [Wiltshire], expects to be in London by 15 October. Suffering from rheumatism in his legs.

Comments on how difficult he finds it "to be allowed to mind [his] own business", but concedes difficulty as he works "so much for the publick". Approves of Sowerby's "Life" of his father [James Sowerby], though doubts whether it is proper for the public. He is ill with catarrh, pulmonary inflammation, and weak stomach. Can have no communication with Mr G Leathes and has nothing to say on his plant. Considers the call for Sowerby's accounts respecting "Flora Graeca" a most "impertinent inquistion", "what a curse is law in this country".