Invites Smith to lecture at the Philosophical Institution; he has long desired that Birmingham might share with Liverpool the opportunity of hearing Smith speak, but they can only offer a fee of 100 guineas as the Insitution is in financial difficulties, there is only one private botanic garden from which to obtain plants, and the lighting of the room may present difficulties. Offers to accomodate Smith for the duration.

Smith has annotated on recto of second folio: "yes".

Concerned to hear of Smith's indisposition; it has been agreed he appears tonight as Smith's substitute, though on a general topic and not botany; will inform the audience Smith hopes to lecture on Monday.

Thanks for copy of Smith's "Grammar of Botany"; thinks all the "cultivators of the study of plants in this country [are] under obligations to [Smith] for treating in so clear, candid, and interesting a manner this very interesting view of the subject"; thinks Smith right in maintaining the importance Linnaean artificial system and to adhere to it until classification according to the natural orders is more matured. Also praises Smith's treatment of Linnaeus in supplement to "Encyclopedia Britannica".

Intends to visit Smith in the summer.

Recollections of his visit to Smith at Norwich and [Thomas William Coke at] Holkham, Norfolk. Gratified by the attentions he received from all on his travels, especially those of Smith's aquaintances "though in humbler stations of life, are the real ornaments of society". John Corrie obliged to leave Cambridge on account of a glandular illness but has now recovered and returned to Cambridge.

He has never regarded [Thomas William] Coke's marriage "in any other light than as a subject of congratulation" [in 1822 Coke married Lady Anne Amelia Keppel (1803-1844), 50 years his junior]; Coke's warm character. Observations on derivation of 'Nerium'. Expects to visit Dr [John] Bostock in London about 27 May [1822], hopes to also see Smith. Just returned from trip to Liverpool, where he left his father [John Yates (1755-1826), Unitarian minister] and the Martin family [Smith's sister] in good health.

Reckons Smith amongst his "oldest and most valued friends"; about to marry; their new address, invites Smith to visit but hopes to see him in London before then; vouches for Smith's belief of botany as a "medium of communication with interesting and cultivated minds", it being instrumental in bringing him and his fiancée together. Recently called on [William] Roscoe who showed him "beautiful specimens" of his forthcoming work on 'Scitamineae'; believes Roscoe could have acquired more subscribers by making it more known.

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.