Death of [Amelia] Hume after a "long and severe illness". Has received from [William] Roxburgh a large parcel of specimens for Smith and seeds for Liverpool Botanic Garden, and one for Royal Society at Edinburgh and seeds for the Edinburgh Botanical Garden.

Grateful for Smith's condolences on death of his daughter Sophia [Lady Brownlow (1788-1814), wife of John Cust, 1st Earl Brownlow], a "victim of [...] this cruel winter". Believes the people at Cambridge are "most obstinatley blind to their own interests" [Smith's unsuccessful campaign to become Professor of Botany], comments that the Botanical Garden there last summer was in a "most forlorn uncomfortable state". Wishes Smith knew Mr Eustace, a writer who has been staying at Wormleybury. Sophia's death has "badly checked" the pleasure he gained from his plants and garden, which after the death of his wife Amelia were cultivated solely for Sophia.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Indignant at failure of Smith's campaign.

Business card for "Lawford, Fletcher & Co, Stock & Share Brokers", and with "M Wood" handwritten on recto.