Thanks Smith for showing his book "Amoenitates Italicae" to the Linnean Society. Sending another of his publications, "Praelectiones rei herbariae quae et prolegomena ad floram Italicam" via Professor Amici of Modena. Praise of Smith's "English Flora" and "Flora Graeca" as giving the "best direction" for his own work. Thanks for election as FMLS. Would appreciate advice on 'Scabiosa gramontia' and 'Scabiosa columbaria', referring Smith to pages from "Amoenitates Italicae" and adds a clarification of his classification . Offers to send any Italian plants Smith may require.

Death of the Bishop [Samuel Goodenough]. His niece Ethel[red Catherine] Benett to be married to Lord Charles [Spencer-]Churchill [(1794-1840)], second son of the Duke of Marlborough [George Spencer-Churchill], details of a wedding visit by Murrays and Selways.

In postscript Lambert anxious to mention something that occured just before he left London [there are no details but his reference to old sayings "no good can come out of Israel" and "you cannot wash the blackamoor white" imply this may relate to Richard Salisbury]. Last sheets of "Description of the genus Pinus" are to be printed.

Thanks for Smith's hospitality in England; sending specimens. Encloses sheet of queries, Smith has inserted his answers to these.

His son [George William Clinton] who is destined for the medical profession, is enthusiastic in the pursuits of natural history and admires Smith and is sending him some specimens, hints that an acknowledgment would be appreciated. Received Smith's of 26 June. Comments on how much the names of [Thomas William Coke] and Smith are appreciated in his country. [David] Hosack has married "an excellent woman with a splendid fortune".

Small newspaper clipping attached entitled "More Wonders", a humorous piece on natural history curiosities and "gentlemens' corsets".

Encloses a paper on Junius [pseudonym of an unknown 18th century letter writer]. Has been collecting information about Dr Samuel Parr, enquires whether Smith or any friends of his have any letters from him or information about him they can share for a memoir to be written by Dr John Johnstone. Barker's index to the "Greek Thesaurus" is far advanced. Mr Bowring has informed him that Jeremy Bentham intends to give him a memoir of Mr Lind, "author of the letters on Poland", for use in his book which is nearly finished.

Sending the remaining papers on Junius [pseudonym of an unknown 18th century letter writer], except the first paper addressed to Charles Butler in which he proved the non-identity of Sir Philip Francis as Junius. Godfrey Higgins will deliver his papers to Lady Francis who he thinks will maintain the claims of her husband. Asks Smith to send him any anonymous compositions of Sir Francis not generally recognised as his should he have any. Believes the memoirs of Sir Francis were written by himself. Has had correspondence with Dr William Thornton of Washington, USA, a ward of [John Coakley] Lettsom. Professor Scholefield intends to give Greek lectures. Remarks on Monk's conduct towards Smith. Pleased that Smith is near completion of 4th volume of "English Flora". Papers on Junius very well received but only privately distributed.

Found 'Salix tetrapla' mentioned in [John] Walker's [(1731-1803), professor of natural history, Edinburgh] "Essays [on Natural History and Rural Economy" (1812)]; transcribes relevant sections [extant, on separate folio].

Saw Sir Thomas Cullum, who will not be at Bury, [Suffolk], when Smith intends to visit, so recommends that Smith come to them. Agrees with Smith on 'Salix' except for Smith not adopting 'S. borreriana'. Linnean Society elected 10 FMLS last night, [Aimé] Bonpland [(1773-1858), botanist] and Sayr were excluded. Alternative arrangements should Hale End be too far for reaching London.

[Letter incomplete: address label removed, obscuring text on verso of second folio]

Arrangements for Smith's approaching visit.

Disappointed by postponement of Smith's visit, caused by death of Mr J Reeve. Received parcel of plants for Smith from [John Russell] Duke of Bedford. Received plants from [William] Borrer including 'Tinardia palustris'.

Account of a visit to Devon. Read of death of the Bishop [of Carlisle, Samuel Goodenough]; suggests [Robert] Brown as new vice-president for Linnean Society. Hopes Smith received specimen of 'Tinardia palustris'. Plants collected in Devon, including: 'Scirpus holoschoenus', 'Salix argentia', and 'Viola lutea'. Also found 'Senecio squalidus'; reasons for believing it is native, discusses Dr [William] Turton [(1762-1835), conchologist].

[Robert] Brown makes no objections to becoming a vice-president of Linnean Society. Presumes 'Senecio squalidus' is wild; pleased to hear of 'Ophrys arachnites'; observations on this.

Doubts authenticity of Christy's 'Cistus surreyanus' found near Addington, having searched the area himself with [William] Borrer and only finding 'Cistus helianthemum'.

[First two and a half folios by Mary Jane Forster to Pleasance Smith]: Thanks for turkey. Glad that Smith is well enough to tend to botanical pursuits. Mildness of the weather. Family news.

[Remaining folio and a half by Edward Forster to Sir James Edward Smith]: his pleasure at introducing a banking correspondent, John Eddowes Bowman, into a botanical one; proposed him as FLS.

Sending plants collected during 3 month excursion with [George] Bentham in summer of 1825 to eastern and high Pyrenees; Bentham has published catalogue of the flora of Pyrenees. Plants sent include: 'Lithospermum oleifolium'; 'Vicia argentea'; 'Seseli montanum'; asks if 'Cynoglossum sylvaticum' of England is same as that of Hancke; asks the true character between 'Sideritis hyssopifolia' and 'Sideritis scordioides'; 'Veronica fruticulosa'; after observations fears 'Ajuga alpina', 'A. geneventis', and 'A. pyramidalis' form one species; 'Orobanche pruinosa'; at Strasbourg determined that 'Potamogeton cuspidatum' gathered near Forfar is identical with 'P. zosterifolius' Schum; observations on all. Smith may find it useful to have the French synonyms for British species; he would have found it useful to have references given to DeCandolle's works in determining Pyrenee plants.

Sends parcel of plants from [George] Arnott, just returned from excursion to Scotland. Sends copy of his work on Pyrenaean plants; apologises for delay; printed in a hasty manner. The last year so taken up with his legal studies that he has neglected botany, but time spent with Arnott and [William Jackson] Hooker has revived his interest; wrote to Montpellier, [France], to have his herbarium sent over.

He is about to be married to [Jane Martyn (d 1896)], a granddaughter of Professor [Thomas] Martyn. Requests Smith's assistance in obtaining drawings or descriptions of 'Martynia longiflora' and 'M. craniolaria', for coloured drawings he intends to have made of all the 'Martynia' as a gift to his wife.

Sends collection of plants collected in the local vicinity this year, for Smith to return with their proper names affixed. Under Smith's obligation as author to his "Introduction to Botany"; apologises for the request.

Encouraged to write to Smith by the "persevering attention bestowed by [Smith] upon the progress & the wishes of young botanists, of which he possess so many solid proofs in [Smith's] works".

Discusses apparent ambiguity in earlier editions of "English botany" and "English flora" over the 'Ophrys' species considered 'O. apifera' by Haller and 'O. adrachnites' by Professor Murray; errors respecting localities; encloses sketches, to be returned; William Hutchinson of Hythe, [Kent], [Patrick] Keith [(1769-1840)] author of "Physiological Botany", Robert Price of Lyminge, [Kent], and himself all think it is variety of 'O. apifera'; detailed history and observations.

Provides localities for various local plants.

Encloses specimen of 'Cyperus longus', and remarks and sketch of an unidentified grass, to be returned, and sketch of floret and advanced seed vessel of 'Phyteuma spicatum'. Lost most of his 'Ophrys' specimens; encloses one.

His pleasure at receiving so flattering a letter from Smith, "what a charm is thrown by this delightful science over the most dull & painful hours of sickness".

[Separate note] Does not believes colour should be used as a character for 'Ophrys apifera'; remarks on its colour.