Responds to Woodward's queries in previous letter [of 18 November 1792] concerning 'Fucus' specimens. Woodward's paper on 'Fucus dasyphyllus' was read at Linnean Society and will probably be added to "Linnean Transactions" vol 2. 'Fucus furcellatus' Linnaean herbarium different from all the other 'Fucus' he has seen.

Intends to rename 'Blechnum radicans', 'B. virginicum', 'B. japonicum', and a new one, as 'Woodwardia', as the first two grow in British gardens, and this will group it with 'Davallia' and 'Dickonsia'; [Jonas] Dryander approves. Dr [Erasmus] Darwin and Sir Brooke Boothby [7th baronet, (1744-1824), poet and writer] are elected FLS.

Spent Christmas at Sir Alexander Hume's in Hertfordshire. Hopes to have his usual annual party of [Samuel] Goodenough, [Thomas] Marsham, and [Jonas] Dryander to his house next week, with Woodward's turkey acting as his ambassador; comments on turkeys being introduced from America to south of France by Jesuits. Asks for the Woodwards assistance in finding the tale in verse of the City mouse & country mouse" [note pasted to reverse of letter, in Smith's hand, with reference to Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift]. He is "well pleased" with his royal pupils, who are "very diligent & apt"; returning after 4 June. Currently engaged in zoological lectures in London, has 16 subscribers, including Lord Stormont. Work on his "Tour" proceeded well at Frogmore.

Comments on 'Woodwardia'; on good grounds. Plans to figure 'Fucus abrotanifolius' in his uncoloured work. Error by [James] Sowerby in his figure of 'Cardamine impatiens' in "English botany". Praises beauty of [Edward] Donovan's [(1768-1837), natural historian] insect plates but the letterpress is "not scientific"; he is an "Irish compiling sort of adventurer in literature", previously published a "very bad" sixpenny botanical magazine. [Samuel] Goodenough still thinks the 'Fucus' Woodward mentioned is 'F. palmetta' of Gmelin.

Sends remainder of Bulliard's ["Histoire des champignons"] and text, finally sent by L'Héritier; Woodward's account. Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)] enquires after Bungay tradesmen's tokens or halfpence, for her collection. None of his works ready for two months; busy on his "Tour". Sales of "English botany" have increased since the enlargement. Did not review [William] Withering's book, and confirms he has only ever reviewed three: Berkenhout's "new edition" [of "Clavis Anglica linguae botanicae" (1789)], Curtis' "Magazine", and a pamphlet on silk worms, all in "Analytical Review"; does not intend to write any others.

Can easily see how Princess Elizabeth's [(1770-1840), daughter of George III] "winning condescension [and] looks so full of soul" could be mistaken by "a fool or a coxcomb" as a passion for himself; admits he is flattered by the attention she pays to his lessons. Lady [Amelia] Hume found the "City & Country Mouse" in Swift's works. His paper on ferns is for the Turin Academy as thanks for making him one of their 20 foreign members, in place of Franklin and in company of Priestly and Herschell. His picture is being drawn for the Exhibition, for Sir Abraham Hume, he is to have a frond of 'Woodwardia radicans' in his hand.

Sends his Matlock, [Derbyshire], lichens, and 'Convallaria verticillata', from Scotland. Amused by reports of his sister being offered Miss [Fanny] Burney's [(1752-1840), novelist and Second Keeper of the Robes to the Queen] place [in attendance on the Queen], which are without foundation; "you have no idea what tittle tattle is at Windsor".

No longer possible for Woodward to stay during his visit for Linnean Society anniversary meeting as his mother, youngest sister, and brother from Yorkshire are visiting at the same time. Asks if Woodward saw letter in last month's "Gentleman's Magazine" criticising his specific character of 'Geranium lucidum' in "English botany"; his response to appear in May issue in which he will also own the work. "English botany" to start including 'Cryptogamia', but not fungi. Has Woodward's drawing of 'Agaric' from [James] Sowerby.

Correcting the press of Woodward's 'Lycoperdon' paper; finds it amusing, though doubts Charles Bryant [(d 1799)] will. "Great loss" of [William] Aiton [(1731-1792), director of Kew Gardens] to Kew, his son [William Townsend Aiton] "clever & civil". Fourth fasciculus of "Icones pictae" out this year. Still working on his "Tour", some already printing. Feels better this winter than he has for many years.

Thanks for Woodward's letters of 15 May [1793] and 24 May [1793]. He and [James] Sowerby request specimens of 'Cineraria palustris', 'Convolvulus soldanella', 'Atriplex pedunculata', 'A. portulacoides', and 'Trifolium suffocatum'. He and [Richard] Relhan have conversed on the "diseased anemone". Woodward's additional observations on 'Fucus hypoglossum' will be read shortly at Linnean Society. Message from [Samuel] Goodenough regarding "doctrine of diaecious 'Fucus'" and Woodward's account of Solander's manuscript.

"Natural History of New Holland" delayed by quarrel between Shaw and Nodder; hopes latter will be "got rid of, but it requires some dexterity". Unanimously elected to the Upsala Academy. Asks for Woodward to send wild 'Crataegus torminalis' in flower at Ditchingham. Hopes Woodward will approve of what he wrote of "poor [William] Hudson" in June number of "English botany", "he has been too much run down". Comments on ladies' fashion for "pads", with small ink sketch. Read Woodward's letter on 'Ruscus' with pleasure.

Has been at Norwich for some time and was at Yarmouth, [Norfolk], where he saw the "puritanic brown locks" of Lilly Wigg [(1749-1828), botanist] and [Dawson] Turner. Hopes Woodward will be visiting Norwich during the Assize week, otherwise proposes to meet at Dr [Nicholas] Gwyn's.

Sends perfect copy of his "Tour" and copies of his "New Holland" work; particularly pleased with his description of 'Billardiera'. Examined 'Fucus confervoides' of Linnaean herbarium and confirms it is 'F. vesuicosus' [William] Hudson and not 'F. albidus', finds no 'F. incurous' Hudson in herbarium. Mr Egerton the only one of [Samuel] Goodenough's pupils to die [from a fever at Goodenough's school]. Visited North Walsham, [Norfolk], to meet botanist Revd Mr Hepworth. Will be in Norwich in June to lecture on botany and zoology for 6 weeks.

Thanks for Woodward's good opinion of his "Tour"; opinion of others including his Windsor friend and Sir Abraham and Lady [Amelia] Hume, despite Sir Abraham being a friend of [Edmund] Burke [(1730-1797), politician] and an "alarmist"; has heard nothing of De Luc's or the Queen's [Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818)] opinion; only criticism received so far is from his "honest but bigotted friend" [Thomas] Marhsam, "a furious friend of the slave trade & an enemy of Dr [Joseph] Priestly [(1733-1804), theologian]", who says he did wrong in mentioning Priestly.

[Letter incomplete: lower two-thirds of second folio cropped, text presumed destroyed]

Glad Woodward enjoys "Zoology of New Holland"; he likes it and [George] Shaw "very much". History of the proposed biography of Linnaeus by [Joseph] Trapp, translated from [Dietrich Heinrich] Stoever's German biography; recommending all naturalists to subscribe. Lists new Fellows of the Linnean Society. Communicated information to Stoever for the original biography, particularly narrative of purchase of the collections. His paper on ferns [published by Turin Academy] is expected soon; intends to publish a translation. Sold more than 600 copies of his "Tour".

Sending fourth number of "[Botany of] New Holland"; since printing has ascertained 3 more species of 'Styphelia'. Acquisition of coins. Woodward's 'Ulva' paper read and respectfully received. Requests [John] Stackhouse's paper [on 'Fucus punctata']. [Samuel] Goodenough confined with gout. Received [Thomas] Velley's "fine work" ["Coloured figures of marine plants"]. Woodward correct about 'Fucus concatenatus' and 'F. foeniculaceus', Velley has also remarked on this.

His father has been severely ill with a swollen leg but now recovering; "he is a counsellor & friend we could ill have spared, independent of the attachment we all have for him". Occupied by his work on "Georgian insects", after which he will return to his "Flora [Britannica"]. [William] Curtis has figured a 'Goodenia laevigata', believes it is his 'G. albida'.

Death of his father, on 8 March, after long period of fluctuating health. His journey to Norwich in spite of his own ill health. Consolation that he had wrapped up all his business to his satisfaction and had no particular anxieties, especially as his brother, John, has given up going to America; both dreaded and hoped for final interview with Smith. His grandmother to move into the family home. Account of autopsy performed by Mr Martineau, which revealed an ulcerous kidney.

Responds to Woodward's letter of 21 January [1795]: defends 'Mimosa' against Mrs Woodward's accusations; has not heard from [Edmund] Davall for some time; [William] Curtis' 'Goodenia laevigata' is his 'G. albida', never saw it without white flowers till recently. Death of François [Borone] at Athens, by a fall from a window in his sleep; much affected by it.

Keeping Woodward's specimens of 'Ulva atomaria' and 'U. ligulata' to finish their descriptions, but not publishing them in "English botany" before "Linnean Transactions", 'U. diaphara' appearing in July. Returns Woodward's 'Chrysanthum', thinks it 'C. inodorom'. Received wild Hampshire 'Tamarix gallica' from Maton. Changes made to Woodward's 'Ulva' paper. Breakfasted with [John] Stackhouse yesterday; discusses Stackhouse's and [Thomas] Velley's quarrel over fructification of 'Fucus', thinks Stackhouse "most in the right"; his general dislike of disputes; he and Stackhouse have agreed to call 'Ulva/Fucus punctatus' 'Fucus maculatus'.

[David Elisha] Davy's "metamorphosis" into an "unfrocked state". Received another visit from Stackhouse, who is like Woodward in "face & speech", but taller, desiring him not to get involved in his dispute with Velley; his relief, as Velley is an "endless talker". Intends to leave for [Thomas] Johnes' in Wales morning after Linnean Society anniversary meeting.

Has amongst his Scotch plants a perforated 'Ulva', near 'Agarum'. Goodenough's and his paper on Fucus' will be read on 2 June. Has nearly engaged a house opposite Lee's garden in Hammersmith, [Middlesex], and the Society are also taking a house and employing a clerk. He has "many weighty matters" on his mind but "remarkably well, & too much occupied to be melancholy". Intends to publish new genus 'Boronia' in next number of "[Botany of] New Holland" [in honour of François Borone].