Urges that JS not get so emotionally involved in issues concerning astronomers. 'For my own part I mean to make Science my amusement, not my business....' Comments on JS's relations with John Pond.

Thanks for turkey. Sir Abraham Hume has arrived in London from Brighton, following the King [George III (1738-1820)]. Much talk of [Robert] Sweet, [(1783-1835) botanist, was accused of receiving batch of plants stolen from Kew], trial is on the 18th [he was acquitted], [James] Colvill [(1777-1832) nurseryman who employed Sweet] very distressed. Mr Webb is considering taking [Mariano] Lagasca [y Segura] as an assistant. Pleased with progress of Smith's "Flora". Linnean Society membership growing fast. Last sheet of "Description of the genus Pinus" almost ready. [Charles Henry Bellenden] Ker [(c 1785-1871)] working in the Linnean Society library every day.

Is sending a letter from Dr. John Brinkley, and the corrected elements of the comet.

Comments on some ideas of J. B. Lamarck, and about large fossil remains apparently found.

[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert in "raptures" over [Augustin Pyramus] de Candolle's new work "Prodromus syst[ematis] nat[uralis]" though Cullum disappointed Candolle is unlikely to continue his "Systema Vegetabile".

Observations on changes of chemical names of medicines in the "London Pharmacopoeia" and other: 'Elettaria' has changed to 'Matonia', as recommended by Smith'; in the "Dispensatory" "cantharides" has reverted from "lyttae"; the three species of 'Arichona', the 'cordifolia', 'lancifolia', and 'oblongifolia' continued; and camphor still said to be produce of 'Laurus camphora' though [Philip] Miller told him that the best camphor comes from very large trees timber trees at Sumatra, wonders if the Dutch controllers of the trade make it from the 'Laurus' or undersized trees.

Lord [John Rous, 1st Earl of] Stradbroke [(1750-1827)] sent him specimens of the insects killing his Scotch firs for identification; thinks them 'Sirex juveneus' and reminded that some years ago several oaks were cut down in Mr Port's garden plantation at Ham, Derbyshire, because of boring 'Sirex gigas' hornets. Does not think 'Sirex' are labelled a pest of 'Pinus sylvestris' in Lambert's "[A description of the genus] Pinus". Offers to send bark specimens of Stradbroke's trees to Linnean Society.

Cannot find observation of comet of 1759 in [James] Bradley's papers. Discusses eighteenth-century astronomical observations. Can send JH particulars if he wants them.

Had hoped to send Cullum his "[English] Flora" for his patronage but held up by 'Rosa' and 'Rubus', has doubled the number of species of latter. Has now completed more than half his work on "Flora Graeca". Yet to receive [Augustin Pyramus] de Candolle's new work ["Prodromus systematis naturalis..."] but observed many errors in characters and references his "[Regni vegetabilis] Systema [naturale]" and his adoption of names according to date means he cannot be an authority.

Cullum correct about the two species of 'Sirex'. Received seeds and roots from [John] Denson [(fl 1820s-1870s, curator of Bury botanic garden], and intends to send Cullum willow cuttings from Mrs Crowe's. Dr [Martin] Davy of Caius [College, Cambridge], [William] Roscoe, the Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)], and [John Dunn] Hunter [(c 1798-1827)], an American brought up "among the wild Indians", whose narrative he recommends ["Memoirs of a captivity among the Indians of North America..." (1823)], all at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] during his last visit.

Tour notes composed to assist JH's travels in Sicily.

Acknowledges receipt by Jameson & Aders of Astronomical Society's 1824 gold medal, to be delivered to J. F. Encke in Gotha. [JH annotation: Encke confirmed receipt of medal.]

Is leaving from Cambridge. Hopes that he will come. Has some new things on functional analysis to discuss.

Enclosing a draft for his dividend, which he hears will be the last. Hopes he changes his fellowship for a better one, but would be pleased if he would delay his decision for a while.

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.

Bristol Institution thanks Smith for his good wishes; usefulness of the Institution. Responds to Smith's queries about botanical part of a course of lectures held at the Institution; an application for second course rejected.

Regarding the change of ownership and policy of the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal. Would like a paper from him for the first number. Marked 'Private.'

Observations of Venus by William Herschel and JH. Only J. H. Schröter claims to have seen 'deep marginal indentations' that JP claims.

Please recommend London instrument makers to supply new Edinburgh observatory. Josef Fraunhofer was asked to make only lens for transit instrument, but wants to make entire instrument. [JH annotation: Recommended Fraunhofer for entire transit instrument and Robert Molyneux for clock.]

Henry Kater's triangulation survey of north Scotland. Edward Sabine's study of pendulum lengths at various latitudes. François Arago did not receive letters from JH and Francis Baily. Comments on rumor of [Isaac] Newton's madness. JH plans to reduce transit observations of fixed stars at Greenwich since [James] Bradley's time. Are French and other astronomers in agreement on common system of reductions? Will visit Paris next month. Observed curious phenomena in voltaic electricity.

Thanks for the two volumes of Smith's "English Flora", gratified by Smith's address to him. Intends to come to London in April.

Thanks for the two volumes of "English Flora". Goodenough doubts the propriety of the Linnean Society opposing the new Asiatic Society's publication of descriptions of oriental productions to stop them from obtaining a charter as they would continue publishing without a charter, and in any case more publications excite more industry. Hopes [Alexander] Macleay did not propose it himself; suspects Joseph Sabine who is "warped by horticultural interests".

On the matter of helping a friend who is being maligned [Mrs. Bowdich], and about JH's projected Continental tour.