A connection made between himself and Mr Rigby, which will likely effect the rest of his life and a large portion of his son's. Hopes Smith likes his new house [on Great Marlborough Street, London]; its proximity to Sir Joseph Banks must render it agreeable; envies Smith his journey to Oxford with Banks and thinks Smith was "born under an auspicious planet" and deserves the many advantages he enjoys. Botany at a standstill in Norfolk. Expecting a 'Carex inflata' or 'C. montana' from [William] Hudson; received two 'Fucus' and an 'Ulva' from Mr Wigg. [James] Crowe ill with gout.

Believes it will be long time before marine plants are well known. Discussion of 'Aconitum napellus', 'Polypodium thelypteris', 'Carex caespitosa', 'Carex recurva', 'Arenaria verna', 'A. striata', asks what 'Veronica fruticulese' is now called.

[Robert] Stone [(c 1751-1829), botanist] has found 'Carex strigosa' near Bungay, [Suffolk]. Satisfaction he receives from [John] Ray's "little, accurate descriptions". Requests 'Dinathus glaucus' and 'Carex capillaris'. Fears he will not receive any further correspondence from [Samuel] Goodenough.

Sending specimens for Linnean Society. Remarks on 'Carex strigosa', recently discovered in Norfolk. He and [Thomas] Woodward were unsuccessful in their search for 'Ophrys loeselii'. Requests 'Dianthus virgineus', 'D. glaucus', 'Anconitum napellus', and 'A. cammarum'. Woodward has found 'Carex limosa'.

Recently treated a case of "retroversi uteri" according to Dr Denman's "Introduction to Midwifery" but the patient miscarried.

Received specimen of 'Equisetum fluviatile' from Woodward, expects it it rare.

Happy to hear Matlock, [Derbyshire], agreed with Smith so well and that he is now in good health. Pleased with Smith's Dr De Ramm, although as Smith observes "he is but a bit of a Botanist"; received of him 'Lemna arrhiza' and promise of 'Alisina natans', and a letter from [Nicholas] Gwyn. Mr Sutton has acquired the living of St George's Tombland, [Norwich], and will occupy the same room where Smith, [Thomas] Woodward, and himself often discussed botany. Received from Gwyn the true 'Centaurea solstitialis'.

Received Smith's 'Carex capillaris'. Received letter from [Samuel] Goodenough entirely on 'Carex'; some of Goodenough's remarks including 'Carex caespitosa' not in England, and Linnaeus' 'C. muricata' is 'C. spicata' Fl Ang. Requests 'Echinophora spinosa'. Offers to send specimen of 'Salsola fruticosa' for Linnean Society. Asks Sir Joseph Banks' opinion of Peter Pindar's [John Wolcot's pseudonym (1738-1819), satirist] poem to him ["Sir Joseph Banks and the Emperor of Morocco: a tale" (1788)].

Asks Smith to determine arrangements for Linnean Society dinner and meeting. His opinion of prospective members, including: [John] Lightfoot, Macie, and Forsyth. [John] Latham joined immediately, and Dr John Sims has also joined.

Asks Smith to return duplicate copy of [William] Curtis' "Flora Londinensis" and enclosed note to Curtis. Offers to resolve any doubts Smith may have regarding plants in Sherardian or Dillenius collections.

Sending plants from Mrs Saunders and himself via an American ship; hopes they reach Kindersley's friend [probably James Edward Smith] safely as it will be the first time many have been seen or known in Europe. Hopes Kindersley's family are well; he and Mrs Roxburgh have not been half so merry since they and the committee were here. Recommends Kindersley air the plants and clean the box on receipt.

Thanks for election as FMLS; list of desiderata.

Grateful for election as FMLS. Is sending two specimens of each species of 'Arenaria' as described by [Carlo] Allioni in his "Flora" but warns of inaccuracies caused by Allioni's poor sight. Agrees with Smith that the lichen sent to [Carlo Antonio Ludovico] Bellardi is separate but close to 'nivalis' ['rivularis'?]. Forwarded Smith's letter to Bellardi who is touched by the support against Dr de Chambery, "a true charlatan". Asks to be remembered to Mr Harbord and [Eberhard August Wilhelm von ?] Zimmerman. Looking forward to receiving the works Smith promised him.

Offers specimens; Vaendelli's Dict. of Portugese Nat. Hist. 'Flora Cochinchinensis' is printing; Burman's 'Flora Indica'. Includes attached note folio 3.169.

Hoping to send some dubious plants for identification. Dedicating himself to botany and the 'Cryptogamia' class, will send a list of desiderata to Smith. Requests any species of 'Hypnum'. Offers to send following plants found around Paris: 'Lobelia urens', 'Sison verticillatum', 'Phalaris oryzoides', 'Spergula sagimoides', 'Sium repens-jacquini', 'Buxbaumia foliosa', 'Jungermania multifida', and several lichens, 'Bryums', and 'Jungermanias'.

Thanks for plants, particularly pleased with 'Juncus jacquini'; 'Juncus pedatus'; 'Dianthus alpinus'; and 'L. croceus'. Encloses his list of desiderata [extant]. Sends specimens of 'Orchis coriophora'; 'Lobelia urens'; a new lichen he names 'Lichen atrocuber'; a 'Boletus' described in Murray's "S N" as 'Botelus rugosus' of Jacquin and the 'Boletus demidiatus' of [Carl Peter] Thunberg; and 'Botelus aubliquatus' of [Jean Baptiste François Pierre] Bulliard [(1742-1793) botanist] (no.2293), details on its worldwide habitat. Also sends some dubious plants for identification, listed. Will send 'Sium repens'. Asks Smith to construct a list of French desiderata from [Thomas François] Dalibard's [(1709-1799) physicist and botanist] "Florae parisiensis prodromus".

Asks for Indian plants; wishes to correspond with Banks; La Billardière to visit Taurus Mts.; sends Pistachia terebinthus.

Thanks for election as F.M.L.S. ; La Billardière in Corsica.

His English is suffering due to time he has to dedicate to St George's bank, almost believes it better to give his place in the Linnean Society to Dr Canestri of the Turin Academy who would be better able to supply papers. Believes if Smith becomes a physician in London it will be to the detriment of botany and science. Has had a small picture of 'Linnaea' that appears in a bust of Linnaeus copied in marble.

Enquires after Dr Savage and Lord Verney. Hopes that Smith has received the parcel he sent; as settlement of the debt will accept any small item for his "infant Musuem". Glad Smith is enjoying the company of Baron de la Tourbie, has heard a report that he wishes to marry the Prime Minister's daughter in order to get in the diplomatic body. News of mutual friends: Ippolito [Durazzo's] wife shall give birth soon; believes [William] Batt [(1744-1812) physician and chemist] shall settle in Genoa.

Requests to borrow the first volume of Smith's "the Lives of the Poets" to use as an example to her youngest son.

Shall call on Smith on the first "fair Friday", otherwise invites Smith to visit him.

Admonishes Smith for reducing length of his intended visit, urges him come soon before it dwindles to a "mere call with a how d'you".

Thanks for admittance as Associate Member of the Linnean Society. Will send drawings he intends to make of unknown and rare insects and birds in his collections. Offers to procure pictures of Piedmont insects unknown to Linnaeus but mentioned by [Johan Christian] Fabricius and [Otto Friedrich] Muller [(1730-1784) Danish naturalist] for Smith's intended new edition of a Linnaeus work. [Baron d'Avise de Charvensod] wishes to exchange minerals with Smith. Sends compliments to [Thomas] Marsham and agrees with Smith that his work on "Entomologia Britannica" would be easier if he starts with 'Coleoptera'.