Sends leaves for identification from each of the plants he managed to grow from 5 of the 6 Sierra Leone seeds Smith sent last spring, and leaf of 'Stelitzia', the most thriving plant in his stove with habit quite different from Lady Rockingham's. new 'Ulva' found at Weymouth; elected FLS.

[Spec 23 written in pencil at head of verso of folio]

Thanks for Smith's letter. Laments death of [James] Lee [(1715-1795), gardener] and loss of his friendly communications. Pleased that Smith's trip to Wales was a success, believes it will be "for the general benefit of science" for Smith to have similar opportunities. The negligence of his gardener has forced him to give up cultivating stove plants and convert his stove into a forcing house for grapes and peaches. The stove plants have been sent to a cousin in Yorkshire but has reserved for himself 'Strelitzia', 'Pulmeria rubra', 'Xylophila latifolia', and 'Portlandia', offers to send any to friends of Smith; half of the 'Strelitzia' is already in Lady de Clifford's stove [Sophia Southwell]. Lady Rockingham [Mary Watson-Wentworth] recovering only very slowly from her illness, believes it originated from repeated "injudicious" bleedings several months ago.

Happy that Smith has accepted his 'Strelitzia'. Reassures Smith he has not lost his partiality for plants in disposing of his stove but has only tired of being disappointed by "ungrateful and worthless" gardeners. Thinks his new gardener will be better. Hopes that Smith's move to Hammersmith will not deprive him of his company.