Condolences on death of Smith's brother, [Francis Smith]. [Thomas] Marsham better than Smith feared, though he was dangerously ill for some time, but Smith's correct that his finances are not in order, suspects his son has ruined him. [James] Sowerby is owed £18 by the Linnean Society and has refused to supply any more plates to [Robert] Brown until it is settled; offence taken at Sowerby's attitude to the Society's credit. Encloses proposal from [William George] Maton [not extant]. Latest "Linnean Transactions" volume almost complete. Proposes Edward Forster as next Society Treasurer.

Apologises for not having written sooner. Sending Sicilian plants, two maniples and copies of his published pamphlets via William Swainson. Asks whether in future he could send his manuscripts, with sketches and illustrations, to be inserted into ["Linnean Transactions"], so as to save printing costs.

Compliments.

Severe weather and deep snow. Discussed Smith's Cambridge candidature with Lord John Fitzroy. Lea is in England on way to Bogotá to collect drawings and materials of [José Celestino] Mutis [(1732-1808) Spanish botanist]. Lord Valentia [George Annesley] between visits to Ireland. Has been ill after rushing to meet [Aimé] Bonpland [(1773-1858)] in London and being attended by "an apothecary who proved to be more ignorant than the horse he rode on". [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818), collector of antiquarian items, sister of Sir Joseph] not enthused by plants.

Thanks for turkey. Sir Richard Hoare in town and about to print first part of his work on North Wiltshire. Pleased with Smith's life of [John] Ray in new volume of the "Ency[clopedia]" [Abraham Rees' "Cyclopedia"], paragraphs of which "for men of science [ought] to be written in letters of gold". Problems in obtaining collections of [José Antonio] Pavon, [Alexander] Macleay is acting as his agent. Bequeaths this collection to Smith if he should die first [Lambert outlived Smith and his collections were sold and dispersed].

Received a letter from [José Antonio] Pavon, the collections Lambert is purchasing from him, including herbarium and insects, have been sent. A new plant received from Longleat [home of Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath (1765-1837)]. Has five species of 'Oxybaphus' growing. Has 'Fragaria chiloensis' from Guernsey in flower different from the one Smith describes in "Encycl[opedia]" [Abraham Rees' "Cyclopedia"].

Condolences on death of Smith's brother. Returned the "superfluous" Linnean recommendation.

Returned [from India] at the end of August. Confusion over Smith's current location. Going to Scotland in October, stopping by the way of Bawtrey, Nottinghamshire, to drop off a little girl that came home in his charge, but would like to see Smith. Intends to settle in Edinburgh but this depends on the inclinations of his sister who may prefer to live in the country.

Received Smith's letter of 25 September. Prevented from meeting Smith but will endeavour to do so the next time both are in London. "That vain, empty creature Lord Moira" [Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings (1754-1826) 1st Marquess of Hastings, Governor-General of India, 1813-1823] has seized all his natural history drawings made during his survey of India and disrupted his publication plans. Proposes an alternative scheme and discusses the benefits and drawbacks of writing in English or Latin. At present Edinburgh is the most eligible location for settling. Wishes to join the Linnean Society.

His collections destroyed by fire; "Umbelliferae".

Sends his passage on the biblical "lilies of the field" for Smith's approval before it is printed [for the annotated Bible prepared with Richard Mant known as "D'Oyly and Mant's Bible" (1814 and later editons)], asks if 'Amaryllis lutea' is the correct trivial name, read that Celsius believes the white common lily is the "lily of the fields".

Asks if Smith received the letter and parcel dated 15 May 1814 he sent via Hayne. Encloses the same undetermined plants, for Smith's opinion, in case Smith did not receive them, for inclusion in second volume of "Flora Germanica", asks that Smith reply via [Charles] Konig.

Requests specimens of 'Potamogeton compressus', 'Potamogeton gramineus', and 'Potamogeton lanceolatus', all "English botany", and 'Verbascum virgatum' "Flora Britannica". Also desires specimens of 'Verbascum boerhavii' and 'Verbascum orbeckii' as he has doubts over their classification; observations on characters.

As thanks for Smith's "Introduction to Botany" sending copies of his essay "De Halophytis" and first part of his monograph on 'Verbascum'.

Has been confined for nine months [on account of his angina pectoria]. Philosophical reflections on friendship; life; Smith's botanical achievements; recent history, including fall of the Bourbons and rise of Napoleon; notions of power and glory; and his own approaching death, inspired by death of [Samuel] Whitbread [(1764-1815) politician, who killed himself by cutting his throat on 6 July 1815].

Thanks Smith for letter of 12th January, in response to his of November 1813, grateful for solution to his "doubts". As requested has sent a small number of local 'Orchidaceae' and a few 'Rosa' with his own names but corrections would be welcome, believes the whole genus of American 'Rosa' needs revision, has enclosed some specimens he thinks are rare and seeks Smith's opinion. Has refrained from involving Smith in the "chaos" of 'Asters', 'Solidagines', 'Hedysara', and 'Vaccinia' caused by multiple names for single plants. Encloses his "Florula Bostoniensis". Hopes to produce a Flora of New England but it is "the custom in this country to promise more than we perform", but hopes for encouragement from his appointment as lecturer at Harvard College. Caused an American edition of Smith's "Introduction to Botany" to be published. Sorrow at death of Dr [Henry] Muhlenberg. [José Francisco] Corrêa [de Serra] is in Tennessee.

Parts 3-5 of his 'Icones'; For. Members of the Institut; news.

Encloses copies of biographical memoir of "our late excellent friend", for Lady Althorp [Esther Spencer (1788-1818), wife of John Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl Spencer (1782-1845)].

Sends copy of his "Extracts [from Bruce's travels in Abyssinia]", as an explanatory note to his edition of Theophrastus he sent Smith last summer ["Theophrasti Eresii de Historia plantarum"]

Received Smith's letter of 10 August from Mr Bauer. Congratulates Smith on knighthood, hopes he will succeed with his campaign for the Cambridge professorship, would be happy to then start an annual exchange of seeds. Sent a box of seeds to [James] Donn [(1758-1813)] last year being unaware of his death. His daughter married [Carl Franz Anton von] Schreibers three years ago, has just given birth to her second child. In continuation of the exchange of their botanical works [including Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin] lists books he shall send in itemised bill: "Hortus Schoenbrunnensis vol 4"; "Fragmenta botanica compleat"; "Genitalia asclepiadearum"; "Eclogae plantarum rariorum fasc. 1-8"; and "Graminum fasc 1 & 2". Requests Smith's publications mentioned in his last letter bar "Tour to Hafod" and "Flora Graeca", for which he will wait but including "Introduction to Botany" and "Prodromus Flora Graecae". Confirms that his father sent Smith "Icones plantarum" and "Collectanea [ad botanicum]" in 1797. Sorry to hear that botany is not as "generally beloved and fashionable in England" and botanical works do not sell as well as before. Asks Smith to procure customers for his "Eclogae". [Nicolaus Thomas] Host [(1771-1834)] is about to publish his monographia "of the European Salix", followed by new edition of "Synopsis plantarum austriae", assumes Smith has his "Gramina austrica".

Son of Head Gardener of Vienna University Botanic Garden, [Heinrich Wilhelm] Schott [(1794-1865)], is writing monograph on 'Silene' [not published], asks Smith to send any duplicate specimens of Oriental or American species and any remarks or specimens on 'Silene anglica'; 'Silene cerastoides'; 'Silene gallica'; 'Silene armeria'; 'Silene mutabilis'; 'Silene cranifolia'; 'Silene aegyptiaca'; and 'Cucubalus fabarius', in return shall send Austrian and Hungarian plants as desired, asks if "Flora Graeca" volume containing 'Silene' shall be published soon. Compliments Smith on his contributions to [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia". [Joseph August] Schultes and [Johann Jacob] Roemer are publishing a new edition of "Systema Vegetabilium", believes Smith would do a better job, surprised he has not done so already. Professor [Balsazar] Hacquet [(1739-1815)], author of "Plantae Alpinae Carniolicae" and "Oryctographia carniolicae" died in Vienna a few days ago.

Seeks election to Royal Society; asks for support of Smith and Dawson Turner; Sir Benjamin Hobhouse [1st baronet (1757-1831), politician] and Mr Ellis of the British Museum have also pledged their support. Requests introduction to Sir Joseph Banks.

[Smith has noted his reply on recto of folio]: would recommend to Banks and will confer with Turner.

Thanks for recommendations; will not present his testimonial to Royal Society until Smith arrives in London. Sir Benjamin Hobhouse [1st baronet (1757-1831), politician] requests that Smith's signature stands first [on nomination certificate].