Given a frank by the Duke of Gloucester [Prince William (1776-1834), chancellor of Cambridge University]. Ambivalent about his return to Norwich, [Norfolk]. Thanks for note about the Master family. Met [William] and Mrs Hooker at Liverpool, and Simon Wilkin. Received a "most kind sensible" letter from sister Francis [widow of Smith's brother], who can live on what they have but is reluctant to give up the trade for the sake of her sons. Also received a letter from Frederick [Smith's brother], in financial difficulties. His high opinion of Lord Anson [Thomas Anson, 1st Viscount Anson (1767-1818)]. [Thomas] Marsham recovering but his affairs in bad order owing to his son's extravagance._x000D_

He has been free of headaches but his "fat or fulness" unaffected by travelling. Richard Kindersley [Smith's cousin] has attained his fellowship. Duke of Gloucester and Blackwells send their compliments.

[Letter labelled, in red ink]: Sheepshearing

His arrival at Holkham [home of Thomas William Coke], other guests include Duke of Bedford [John Russell, 6th Duke] and Lord Tavistock [Francis Russell, 7th Duke of Bedford (1788-1861)], Lord Albermarle, Sir Watkin William Wynne, Lord Nugent, Mr Greig, General Walpole, Fitzroy, Sir B Hobhouse, Mr Barnwell; viewing and discussion of agriculture, including folding of sheep; a hundred people at dinner.

[William] Roscoe has forbidden any purchases from his library intended to be gifted back to himself [following his bankruptcy]. Coke and others have spoken to Blundell and they hope he will alter his conduct. Disappointed with the likeness of Coke's miniature, done at Liverpool.

Full account of [Thomas William] Coke's meeting is in Stevenson's paper, written by Samuel Taylor junior. Account of Lord Nugent [George Nugent-Grenville, 2nd Baron Nugent (1788-1850)], who was also at Coke's. Details of his and Coke's upcoming visit to Woburn Abbey, [Bedfordshire, home of Duke of Bedford]; shall come to Pleasance in Lowestoft first.

Writing from Woburn's [home of John Russell, 6th Duke] "splendid library". Account of their journey to Woburn [with Thomas William Coke and Mr Cobb]: called on late Mrs Watt's servants, Mr and Mrs Baker, at Swaffham, [Norfolk], who were left £400 each in the will; called on Brewsters at Brandon; could not dine with [Martin] Davy at Cambridge; passed through Lord Ossory's park and saw the inscribed pillar. Describes the party at Woburn, including: Marquis of Bath, wife, and daughter; Lord Clare; Duke of Devonshire; Lord and Lady Tavistock; Lord and Lady Morley. His opinion of the Duchess of Bedford. Lord Bath "very shy". Duke of Bedford has brought many antique marbles, columns, and sculptures from Italy. His projected plans on leaving Woburn. Lady Morley is dressing up various guests "to exhibit characters in pictures".

Account of remainder of his time at Woburn [Abbey, Bedfordshire, home of John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford]: further guests included Duke and Duchess of Beaufort and their children, Lord and Lady Robert Spencer, Mr Capel; every evening Lady Morley, Lady Tavistock, and the Duchess [of Bedford] exhibited tableux of famous pictures and Lady Morley gave animal imitations. Went on to visit Lord and Lady Tavistocks's [Francis Russell, 7th Duke of Bedford (1788-1861)]; visited Professor [Thomas] Martyn at Peternhall, [Cambridge], rather feeble and anxious to resign in Smith's favour; visited Dunham Lodge, home of Mr Cobb.

Confident Pleasance's mother will get better. Expects to come over to visit. Visit by Sir Thomas and Lady Cullum in August.

Hymn written by Smith, 6 stanzas. Never saw [Aylmer Bourke] so struck with anything; they showed it to [William Lisle] Bowles [(1762-1850)], the poet, who was "profuse in commendation" and lamented that the church did not use such.

[Letter incomplete: this is the second folio of letter, the proceeding folio presumed destroyed. Fragments from other letters have been pasted to bottom of verso of folio]

Account of his time in London, including: trip to Eltham with Captain Sandham to try and find Sherard's tomb and remains of his garden; Sandham says James Munro died of failure in nervous constitution, saw his tomb at Greenwich; visited Deptford old church to see monuments of the Evelyns and Sir Richard Browne; called on Dr Baillie, who commended his looks, expects Smith to be on his prescription for a long time, Smith's bowel complaints and treatment; calls on or news of Mrs [Catherine] Lambert, Mrs Lochee, Mr Fuller Farr.

A meeting at Longman's, who declined purchasing copyright of his manuscript and suggested shares of the first edition; they promise to push his pamphlet [probably "A defence of the Church and Universities of England" (1819)]. Is to visit the Lamberts at Boyton, [Wiltshire], possibly followed by visits to Spring Grove, [Isleworth, Middlesex, home of Sir Joseph Banks], and Hall Place, [Berkshire, home of Sir William East]. Death of Mrs Fisher, née Clay, 4 years ago. Longman very keen for Smith to write a "Dictionary of Botany" and greatly approve of "English Flora", but he has to borrow £100-£200 whilst these are writing.

Account of his journey from Norwich, [Norfolk], to Birmingham: unwittingly shared the coach from Newmarket to Cambridge with Mr Hustler of Trinity [College], one of the adverse tutors [to Smith's Cambridge professorship candidacy]; delight at seeing the Beauchamp Chapel in St Mary's Church, Warwick; Birmingham feels a dirty and close town. His first lecture at 7 this evening; no anxiety; the room not painted for fear of his inconvenience; attended sermons and meeting by Dr [James] Yates and Mr S W Brown

He is here "in paradise, both mentally & bodily", staying with Mr and Mrs Corrie; their characters. He lectures on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7pm; fuller every time than the last; plenty of ladies, all in evening dress; supplied with flowers from Mrs Corrie's garden and a nursery. Dined with Dr and Mrs Parr. His health remains good. Visited [James] Watt [(1769-1848), engineer] and saw the "Cyclops" at work in his "truly infernal abode".

Hears of no public disturbances and the "respectable dissenters" take no part; has learnt the true history of the "famous riots" [Priestly Riots of 14 to 17 July 1791 targetted religious dissenters in Birmingham]. Informed that it is "lucky" to have Monk for an enemy [Smith's Cambridge pamphlet]. He is very homesick. Saw [James] Watt's [(1736-1819), engineer] "charming abode".

Account of his time in Birmingham: visited some "curious manufactories" and dined at Mr Mouillet's; dined at Mr Eyre Lee's; dined with Dr [James] Yates and Dr Parr; has taken a violent cold and sudden feverish catarrah, but now better, though could not lecture on Friday so Yates read one on his behalf; he has had many thanks for the good he does the town, and Institution, and the taste and knowledge he is said to promote. Enquires about presents to buy Pleasance. Mr Galton's house and family. Reassures Pleasance he has no symptom of pulmonary inflammation. Asks after candlesticks and cutlery.

His "adventures" have been "uninterruptedly prosperous". His last lecture at Birmingham the most well attended. Account of his journey from Birmingham to London, via Stratford-upon-Avon, saw Shakespeare's house; Oxford, where he saw Prince Leopold dubbed LLD, and worked in Sherardian herbarium, dined with Dr [George] Williams, who is pleased by his pamphlets and the Oxford people all flattered. Called at [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's and heard that Mrs Lochée died 1 October and that Mrs [Catherine] Lambert deranged. On 1 November was unanimously elected Professor of Botany at the Royal Institution. Attended Horticultural Society and Linnean Society meetings.

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]

A dinner with Correa, [Robert] Brown, [Charles] Konig, and Hare; Mr Forster thinks Correa's mental powers are failing. Correa's opinion of America. Walked to [Stoke] Newington and visited the Aikins, Mrs Barbauld, Mrs Lee, and Revd Mr Bransby. Unable to see [Nathaniel] Kindersley [Smith's cousin] before he goes to India. Visited Loddiges [plant nursery] where they have raised hundreds of 'Rhododendrum arboreum' from his seeds. His future activities. Has not heard anything yet about their journey to Southampton._x000D_

[Explanatory notes in pencil, by another hand, on first folio]_x000D_

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]

Account of Linnean Society anniversary meeting: 72 at the dinner, greatest number yet; lists attendees; details of his speech. Is to visit Lady Ramsay on the Isle of Wight with Harriet. There were 20 subscribers above the 120 wanted for Sir Joseph Banks' bust by [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor]. New Linnean Society house [in Soho Square] costs less than the old one [in Gerard Street]. His first [Royal Institution] lecture on 28 May and second on 31 May. Suffered a headache, now cleared. Prince Leopold did not attend [Linnean Society meeting] or send an answer, which they wonder at.

Account of his [and Harriet's] journey from London to Cowes, including visit to Dr Hill and family in Southampton. Account of their reception by Lady Ramsay and her son, who is a keen botanist, and how they have spent their time. The "Linnaean Correspondence" much admired and likely to sell well; his "Grammar of Botany" ridiculously abused in the "Eclectic Review".

Account of his journey from Southampton to London, via Winchester, where he admired the cathedral and met [John] Latham. His London engagements. His future movements; intends to return to Norwich by end of June. Asks for directions regarding present of dress or ornament.

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]

Frederick [Smith's brother] still in town. Account of his time in London: visited Westminster Abbey; dined with [William Fitt] Drake at [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's; tiring Audit and Council meetings [at Linnean Society]; Linnean Society anniversary meeting; a wish expressed for a bust of Smith to be made by [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor], as companion to the one of Sir Joseph Banks; only 49 present at the dinner, compared to 70 last year, held in the Free Masons' tavern; Bishop [of Carlisle, Samuel Goodenough] and [Edward] Rudge informed him that the agricultural distress "is in a great measure imaginary"; visit to the British gallery with the Drake and Harriet [Drake's wife?]; went to Royal Institution, is not lecturing this year, but finds they are much called for, may lecture next year, London Institution have also asked him to lecture; visited the Miss Blackwells and assumed they were grave on account of [Thomas William] Coke's marriage but was in fact sudden death of Duchess of Grafton; visits to Lord Stanley, Lady Anson, Lady Scott wife of Sir Claude Scott, Duke of Norfolk, Lady Petre, and Lady Hervé and Miss Caton. Meeting with Coke and Lady Anne, his new wife; alterations at Holkham. Visits to R Kindersley [Smith's cousin]; Lord Stafford's pictures; Lady Banks; [James] Sowerby; the Munros; Major and Mrs Sandham. Plans to visit Sir Thomas Cullum in Bury, [Suffolk]. His feverish and pulmonary symptoms all gone. Harriet admitted a fellow of the Linnean Society in form. Saw [Dawson] Turner at anniversary meeting. Mr Crabbe received £3000 from Murray for copyright to his poems.

Glad neither Pleasance or sister-in-law suffered by the accident [unspecified]. Their journey to Holkham [home of Thomas William Coke]. Plans for Pleasance to join them at Holkham in October, following his lectures in Birmingham. Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)] and [William] Roscoe also to visit. Lists current guests. A game of "long shilling". Shall be cautious when eating fruits. Reading "Voice from St Helena".

Hopes Frederick [Smith's brother] will be careful whilst staying in their house. His accommodation arrangements for his time in Birmingham. Arrangements for their going to Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]. Will not think ill of Lord A. His lectures "very fully & genteelly attended" and he receives "much attention & commendation", there are Cambridge men who also approve highly. His health good except for a feverish catarrh, and escaped all visits under pretence of health. His visit to Edgbaston Hall, now occupied by Dr Edward Johnstone. Sorry to hear of riots near Pleasance.

Staying at Mr Lee's at Edgbaston: his and Dr Johnstone's families and homes. His seventh lecture this evening. Arrangements for their visit to Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]. Bought cutlery.

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]

Exhilarated by the very full audiences at his lectures, which finish on Saturday. People he has stayed with. Details of his intended return journey. Enquired after pumps; his findings. Received no letters or plants from Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley]. His efforts to reconciliate Miss Coke and her father [Thomas William Coke]; conflicts in that family.