Regrets to hear of the poor health of Sir William Herschel. Would like a few lines of Sir William's handwriting for his autograph collection.
Returned from Scotland. Happy to hear Smith will be at next Linnean Society meeting, hopes Smith can attend upcoming Council meeting. The Society to take late Sir Joseph Banks' house as its rooms, with the drawing room to become the meeting room. A subscription being raised for marble bust of Banks, limited to £1; £100 of £120 cost already raised. New "Linnean Transactions" volume ready for publication before 24 [May 1821], "it will be a very splendid one", the plates for [Robert] Brown's paper cost £240. Necessary for the Society to recruit in order to continue, asks Smith to interest [Thomas] Brightwell [(1787-1868)], "one of the most intelligent entomologists in this kingdom".
Thanks for the letter informing him that he was elected corresponding member of the Astronomical Society. Comments on the prize questions. Gives details of his astronomical publications.
Would like to know when he can call on the Herschels.
His family "harrassed" by sickness. Regretted missing [William] Roscoe whilst he was in Norwich, and was unaware until Smith's letter of Roscoe's botany interests. Thinks that Dawson Turner would be "highly gratified" to examine Smith's two chests of "botanical treasures" from the East Indies. Looks forward to hope of visiting Smith in Norwich.
Sends seeds and list of desiderata.
Apologises for delay in replying to Lady Smith's note, which she had hoped to do at same time as returning [Carl Peter] Thunberg's letters to Sir James [Edward Smith], but they are taking longer than anticipated. Will call at Surrey Street soon.
Sends her translations of [Anders] Sparrman's [(1748-1820)] letters, which are written in a "very puzzling hand". Plans to visit Smith soon, and hopes she will be able to finish "little book" of Linnaeus' lent by Smith.
Sends translation of [Peter Hinrich] Tesdorpf's [(1712-1778), German merchant] letter [to Linnaeus]. Asks if Smith cares about Linnaeus' "little book" being translated before she goes to Northrepps, [Norfolk], on Wednesday.
Sending rough translations of [Clas] Alströmer's [(1736-1794), Swedish industrialist] letters [to Linnaeus]. Returning home soon, hopes to call on Lady [Pleasance] Smith then.
Sends her translations of Count [Carl Gustaf] Tessin's [(1695-1770), Swedish politician] letters; surprised Linnaeus maintained a corresondence with him, little in the letters. After assessing the remaining letters in her possession intends to translate Linnaeus' "little book". She has had to postpone her visit to Lady [Pleasance] Smith on account of bad colds.
Her cousin has given her an explanation of Swedish coins so can now insert the correct information into translations of [Daniel] Solander's letters. Sends translations of [Daniel] Scheidenburg's [(b 1720), Swedish clergyman] letters. She will return all the letters she is not taking with her, for safekeeping. Considers herself engaged to come to Smith's house to work on translation of Linnaeus' "little book".
Note on communication of diploma admitting Linnaeus as a member of the Scientific Society at Rotterdam.
Returns Smith's "Linnaeus", may ask to borrow it again. Praises Linnaeus' character.
Unable to wait on Smith this morning as her maid is ill; apologises for what little she is now sending but cannot easily make out Linnaeus' writing. Requests some of [Daniel] Solander's letters to translate.
Apologises for not sending any fresh translations [of Linnaean correspondence]. She has arranged the letters so as they can be sent back to her on her return. She is taking the German letters with her to Hertfordshire; proposes to call on Smith on her return so as to translate Linnaeus' "little book". Requests any further [Carl Peter] Thunberg, [Anders] Sparrman [(1748-1820)], or [Christopher] Tärnström [(1711-1746)] letters Smith might have found.
Returns two letters of [Fredrick] Logie [(1739-1785)] to Linnaeus, with rough translations.
She has translated the three Danish letters. She is keeping the beginning of a letter from [Uno] von Troil [(1746-1803), Swedish archbishop], suspects Smith may have the other half. Thanks for copy of "Correspondence of Linnaeus".
Returns all the papers Smith has entrusted her with, except part of one of [Daniel] Solander's letters. If Smith cannot find the rest of Solander's letters asks that she could be let to look over others.
Sends her translation of [Peter Frederick] Suhm's [(1728-1798), historian] notes on the state of gardening and the "indications of spring" in Norway and Denmark; apologises for its poor quality.