Received Smith's letter of 27 [March 1820]; extremely sorry for Smith's "family distress", hopes he and Lady [Pleasance] Smith will be well enough to come to London in May. His family well, though since the death of his "poor girl" in January they have had a "good deal of sickness"; more sickness in London this winter than ever known. Thinks Sir Joseph Banks has borne the winter well; Mrs [Catherine] Lambert not expected to ever recover her "reason", [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert cannot bear name of his wife to be mentioned.

"Linnean Transactions" vol 13 progressing "very slowly", conflicting opinions on presentation of [Joseph] Smith's [(1775-1857)] paper. Linnean Society's address to the King [George IV (1762-1830)] well received and printed in the "[London] Gazette". Pleased to hear that Smith is to "stick by" the original [Linnean Dining] Club; account of the division, fears consequences of break in Society's harmony which makes him more anxious than before to resign as Secretary.

Accepts Smith's invitation to Norwich, [Norfolk], and will be happy to also see [William] Roscoe, depending on the date. They have lost a "much valued friend" in death of [Thomas] Woodward.

Regrets that he will no longer be able to visit Smith whilst [William] Roscoe is also visiting, and proposes next month instead.

Sends 100 kinds of seeds; list of desiderata.

Investigated vacant Edinburgh botany professorship at Smith's request: the government made its first offer to [Robert] Brown on 18 December [1819], three days after the death of the late professor [Daniel Rutherford]; Brown refused the post and it was given to Dr [Robert] Graham [(1786-1845)]. Satisfaction he and "every well-wisher to the science" would have had if Smith had been appointed; believes it is worth £1000-1200 a year. Glasgow professorship still vacant but not as valuable. Will endeavour to procure Smith's late servant a position.

The intelligence Smith sent him is not surprising and wonders at inclination which induced Smith to apply to him, but does not blame Smith for well meant endeavours [subject unclear].

Informs Smith of his marriage [to Mary Hardcastle, daughter of Lucy Hardcastle]; sends piece of wedding cake.

Married [Mary] Hardcastle on 3 July, a piece of wedding cake was sent to Smith. An account of the courtship, beginning with their first acquaintance in 1811, credits her mother with teaching him botany and leading him to appreciate literature, and account of his abortive attempt to return to America and devote himself solely to the study of botany.

Planning to come to London in April or May to attempt to settle at India House the remainder of his natural history collection and unless easily arranged "the whole for me may go to the devil". Hopes Smith received a copy of his "Hindu Genealogies".

His plans for visiting London. Hopes to procure for Smith duplicates and notes of his Indian plants which would make considerable additions to Smith's "Adversaria Botanica" which he hopes Smith will set about in earnest.

Having looked over the specimens obtained from India House has come to the conclusion that the most scientifically useful purpose would be to publish a commentaries on the "Hortus Malabaricus" and "Flora Amboinensis", details how he would go about this. Will start immediately if suitable for publication in "Linnean Transactions", with a supplement of the drawings from Mysore left with Smith and from Ava, Burma, given to Sir Joseph Banks. Drawings of 'Scitamineae' and Orchides have been lost by the Marquees of Hastings [Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings (1754-1826) Governor-General of India, 1813-1823]. Requests Smith's opinion on this and whether it should be published all in Latin, or the commentary in English and the descriptive parts in Latin, as [Robert] Brown did in his treatise on the compositae in volume 12 of "Linnean Transactions".

Received Smith's letter of 26 August. Shall proceed with the commentary on the "Hortus Malabaricus", has started arranging the specimens and written a preface giving an account of his journeys in India but feels that the commentary will be of considerable length. Perplexed by a 'Boerhavia' which he previously thought a 'Valeriana chinensis', asks Smith to consult his Mysore specimens for a 'Boerharvia elata' so as to see if a mistake was made. Has found two species of Aspidium, one is 'Aspidium dilatatum' and the other he previously thought to be 'Felix femina' but now cannot identify despite consulting "Flora Britannica", sending specimens. Sorry to hear of [Robert] Brown's difficulties at the British Museum.

Describes places of interest on the route from Stafford to Arley, including Coalbrook Dale, the China works at Coalport, and Mr Whitmore's grounds at Apley, in anticipation of imminent visit from the Smiths.

Thanks for seeds, intends to sow the perennials now so they survive the winter under shelter. Thanks for Smith's observations on his plants. Will ask Smith to acquire aquatic and bog plants for him later in the year. Hopes that the Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)] will visit. News of learned societies: informed of Royal Society news by [Charles] Babbage [(1791-1871) mathematician], secretary to the "new Astronomical Society", [Annesley] believes this new society will injure the Royal Society; election of [Sir Humphry] Davy as Royal Society president not beneficial, comment on his wife; asks how the Duke of Somerset [Edward Adolphus Seymour] has offended the Horticultural Society. Received letter from [William] Roscoe. The ferns from Trinidad are growing in his garden. Anxious to hear from Dr [Nathaniel] Wallich as there is no news of the plants and seeds collected in the last survey of New Holland [Australia].

At author's request forwards Smith an additional copy of [Georg Franz] Hoffmann's "Genera plantarum Umbelliferarum", following miscarriage of the first copy sent.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 13 [July 1820]; several of his friends have expressed the wish to which Smith alludes but many reasons induce him to decline [possibly an invitation to become Honorary Member of the Linnean Society following deaths of Sir Joseph Banks and Brownlow North, Bishop of Winchester].

Suffering from gout in all his limbs and the "various satellites of old age". Enquires after progress of Smith's "British Flora in English". Asks if Smith has seen his "Welsh Botanography", lists recommended pages. Asks Smith to read the Preface and advise on worth of adding the British or Welsh name to each subject in Smith's work, as [Thomas] Johnson [(c 1600-1644) apothecary] attempted in his edition of [John] Gerard's [(1545-1612) barber-surgeon] ["Herball"] and John Davies' [(c 1567-1644) Welsh lexicographer] "Dictionarium Duplex". A new habitat for 'Serapis ensifolia', found in flower, in May, on Snowdon.

Announces his intention to publish his "History of Birds", which he intends to fund by subscription. Requests Smith's assistance. Received letter from Sir Thomas Cullum informing him of Lady [Mary] Cullum's successful cataract operation.

Written on printed prospectus and list of subscribers for "Latham's History of Birds".

Sends list of subscribers to his "History of Birds" [extant]; he has received permission to dedicate it to the King [George IV (1762-1830)]. He will commence printing as soon as subscribers reach 150. Criticises [Coenraad Jacob] Temminck's [(1778-1858), zoologist] work [probably "Manuel d'ornithologie" (1815)]. Looking forward to Smith's "Linnaean correspondence".

Written on printed prospectus and list of subscribers for "Latham's History of Birds".

Instructions for constructing index for second volume [of "A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus" (1821)], should Smith prefer to write it.