Will travel with Smith to London if he intends to attend Linnean Society meeting of 1 March. Hopes Smith is not amongst those citizens of Norwich speculating in "rail-roads, gas companies &c". Has noticed promotion of horticultural societies, particularly one in Brighton, of which [Thomas Andrew] Knight and Joseph Sabine are to be made Honorary Members. His son and family at Pisa, doubts Mrs Cullum will ever see England again having gained no benefit from the waters of Barèges, [France], Sorrento, and Ischia, [Italy], though they intend to return home this summer.

Apologises for involving Smith in the misunderstandings over appointing a new Linnean Society Secretary; [James] Bicheno was surprised to hear he had apparently refused the position. Objects to [Edward] Barnard on the grounds that he is too close to [Joseph] Sabine, and if made Secretary he would act as [Alexander] Macleay did by being President in all but name. Goodenough objects to Sabine, his habit of provoking disorder in any Society he joins, as at the Athenaeum, and his ordering a committee to discuss a portrait of Macleay when he had no authority to do so. Had hoped for a Secretary no one objected to to be appointed. Believes Sabine is now the effectual manager of the Linnean Society which many will find unpalatable.

Enclosing Dr [Robert Kaye] Greville's Highland mosses for Smith in his Norwich parcel. Encloses specimen of 'Hypnum trifarium' gathered on a Highland excursion; observations on its habitat. Hopes to make another excursion this summer.

Sending moss specimens he has lately described. Awaiting specimens of 'Hypnum alpestre' and 'H. trifariense' for his "Scottish work"; 'H. halleri' is engraved. Found 'Splachnum rugosum' of "English botany" on Ben Lawers; believes it distinct from 'S. vasculosum', which he is drawing at the moment. He and [George] Arnott have been applying Smith's "favourite maxim" in classifying the splachnoid mosses, in doing so have overturned much of the previous work by other authors; observations on the genus. Regrets calling the work a new arrangement.

Since last writing 'Senecio tenuifolius' has been added to flora of Scotland. [William Jackson] Hooker on his journey to London and Paris. Received letter from Revd Lewis de Schweinitz [(1780-1834), botanist] of Pennsylvannia, who has raised number of American fungi to 2000. Requests specimen of 'Daltonia splachnoides'.

Received Smith's letter of 28 [March 1825]; sorry to hear he has been suffering from a rheumatic complaint in his eyes. Pleased Smith is satisfied with the willows he has so far gathered for his Salicetum; has not yet acquired 'Salix glauca'. Going to London at the end of the month but will be in London before Smith leaves, and hopes he will prevail on Smith to come and see the willows in full leaf, though fears there will be errors in the names. His health better than it has been for some time past, though has suffered from severity of the protracted winter.

Thanks for Smith's "very kind letter" [of 27 January 1825]. Pays tribute to their 31 years of friendship, during which they have been "intimately known to each other without any misunderstanding or coolness". Forwards delayed letter for Smith from [George] Hibbert [see RelatedMaterial below, requested Smith's recommendation for curator of a botanic garden in Jamaica]; suggests David Don [(1799-1841), botanist] for the post as a means for the Linnean Society to be rid of him.

Thanks Smith for "high compliment" paid to him by Linnean Society [in proposing a portrait be taken of him], only regrets it comes so soon after the subscription for Smith's bust, which raised £190, proud to be the proposer of it. Uncertain what has happened about nomination of [James] Bicheno to succeed him [as Society Secretary].

Confesses he is "not a man of compliments", but Macleay's "wide removal, as it were, to another world [...] seems to excuse & indeed require an opening of heart between us"; pays tribute to their 31-year friendship; urges Macleay to look out for his health, citing recent death of "a most invaluable" nephew of his in India. Hopes to be in London in time to see Macleay, will be giving his first lecture at the London Institution on 2 May [1825], and until then engaged with finishing third volume of his "English Flora".

Recommended David Don [(1799-1841), botanist] to [George] Hibbert [for curator of Jamaica botanic garden]. Will be happy to see [James] Bicheno as new Linnean Society Secretary, though would have been equally pleased with [Edward] Barnard. Delighted with Macleay's son's "most excell[en]t & learned papers".

Mortified that Smith has not yet received his catalogue of Heaths. Gratified by Lady Morley's [Frances Morley (d 1857), 2nd wife of 1st Earl of Morley] favourable opinion of the book. Anxious to begin his collection of 'Salix' at Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire, and would value Smith's assistance. Has [William Jackson] Hooker's "Flora Scotica" but not acquainted with work of Seringne [?]. Hopes to see Smith the next time he is in London.

Received Smith's letter of 8 January [1825]. Introduces his young friend, Howard Ryland, bearer of this letter. He and Mrs Yates would be happy to receive the Smiths as their guests. Mrs Yates is copying the account of Dr [Samuel] Parr's [(1747-1825), schoolmaster] funeral for Smith, it has appeared in some of the newspapers. Encloses sprig of a greenhouse plant they bought as a 'Linum' [Smith annotation: "'Linum arboreum'"]; observations. News of Birmingham friends: Comptons, Galtons, and Corries.

Specimen of 'Linum', wrapped.

Received Smith's letter of 24 [March 1825]. Pleased Smith approves of his "Hortus Ericaeus"; they took great pains to ensure accuracy and hope that the diagram will prove useful; Mr Hayter intends to draw up an enlarged "illustration of its uses" to present to Royal Society. Willow cuttings sent by Smith safely received; they will form foundation of the willow garden he intends to make. Will be pleased to show Smith his collection of heaths when he has leisure to visit Woburn [Abbey, Bedfordshire]. Pleased to hear Smith is busy completing the third volume of his "[English] Flora".

Thanks Smith for naming 'Cnicus forsteri' after him, but concerned there are too many 'foresteris' already. Smith's definition very good, answers his queries about the plant. His daughter, Harriet, has just married and is moving to Devon. Directions to his house for Smith's spring visit.

Invites Smith to visit this month before going down to London together. Will subscribe to [Alexander] Macleay's portrait.

Proposes accompanying Smith to London via Bury for Horticultural Society and Linnean Club meetings, and if not suitable invites him to Bury in May. Notes that in [Thaddeus Mason] Harris' [(1768-1842), American clergyman] "Natural History of the Bible" Smith is quoted as naming the "lilies of the field" 'Amaryllis lutea'. Wonders if he can find 'Ophrys aranifera' for the lack of rain; has previously found it in flower the last day of March, and expects to hear the cuckoo in a week to ten days.

Visiting English friends; desires to call on Smith.

Invites Smith to them at Hale End, [Essex].

Asked by [George] Hibbert and [Alexander] Macleay to nominate a candidate for superintendence of the Botanic Garden of Jamaica; nominates [James] MacFadyen [(1800-1850), physician and botanist]; his qualifications. Thanks for agreeable afternoon he and his family lately spent with Smith in Norwich.

Asks if Smith concurs with [William Jackson] Hooker on appointment of [James] MacFadyen [(1800-1850), physician and botanist] as curator of the Botanic Garden in Jamaica, as the Legislature wishes him to appoint someone recommended by Smith.

Just returned from his first lecture. Account of his journey from Norwich to Walthamstow, met by [Thomas] Forster and wife. Account of his first lecture. Attending Linnean Society Council and meeting this evening. Will send Pleasance's brother, Robert, newspaper with account of the meeting against slavery.

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]

Busy correcting sheets, completing his index, and holding lectures. The lectures very crowded and seem "much approved". His travel arrangements. Received letter from [Edmund] Davall's eldest son, married and settled at Vevey, [Switzerland], and recommending his younger brother to Smith, who wishes to come to England; will write to prevent his coming. Another letter from George Hibbert about the gardener who is to go to Jamaica. [Thomas] Forster had an epileptic fit, he has been keeping them secret for 20 years. Staying next at [Edward] Forster's, Hale End, [Essex]. [James] Bicheno to become new Linnean Society secretary; [Joseph] Sabine made more of it that was just or true.

Called at Longman's: first two volumes of "English Flora" have just paid their expenses with half the stock sold, the remaining 800 copies to be all profit. Reviews his own lecture from yesterday. Bishop of Chester's [Charles Blomfield (1786-1857)] and Butler's debate at the Institution: both expose "much weakness" in the orthodox cause. Gave a speech at Linnean Society after list of subscribers to his bust was read. His strength, rheumatism, and cholic improved but cannot avoid perspiration at night. His Bristol lectures have been set to begin 13 June.

Professor [Thomas] Martyn ill with a cancer in his mouth and on his face but refuses to seek medical advice. Doubts his ill daughter-in-law will derive any benefit from trying the baths at Aix-la-Chapelle, [Germany], and wishes they would return to England so she could try Mahomed's vapour bath and shampooing in Brighton, [Sussex]. Intends to spend July and August in Leamington near Warwick, and Cheltenham, [Gloucestershire]. Invites Smith to visit in June.