Almost finished editing text of his "labyrinthic essay" [on the trachea of birds, see RelatedMaterial below], and drawings nearly done; his concerns, details of the text and drawings
Congratulates Smith on his marriage. He is now a grandfather. Asks Smith to state which of his works he requires; presumes it will no more than his natural history works. Shortly leaving for a visit to Kent, hopes to see Smith. Sends uncoloured copy of his "Indian Zoology". His broken knee-cap never healed but he can ride and walk with ease, except going downstairs.
Congratulates Smith on his marriage. [James] Crowe has lent him his herbarium, but there are "very few good things" as he was so liberal in giving to his friends and unenthusiastic about collecting, though the cryptogamics are more valuable, mostly from [James] Dickson. Visited by [Henry] Bryant, who gave him 'Lichen miniatus', and who has a number of cryptogamic plants for Smith. No longer has any objections to joining the Linnean Society.
Thanks Smith for answering the enquiries he communicated via Mr Dawson. Does not recollect ever meeting Smith, and certainly not at Sir Thomas Cullum's, but if he has it was at Mrs Howorth's or Mrs Lane's at Acton, [Middlesex].
Asks Smith's advice on his proposal to publish an "introduction to the study of Botany particularly calculated for the use of Ladies"; outlines its intended contents and format.
Apologises for sending enclosed volumes so long after publication [probably Withering's "An arrangement of British plants" third edition].
Encloses two species of 'Arundo' of Linnaeus gathered last summer for Smith to name, always supposed them 'Arundo epigejos' and 'Arundo calamagrostis'; detailed observations on each, gives characters of his specimens.
Received specimens of 'Chizonia pulchella' recently found for first time since being found on north coast of Cornwall some years ago; differences with figure he originally made [in his "Botanic arrangement"]. Corrections to his 'Gentiana collina' figure; from new specimens received thinks it is nondescript. Thanks Smith for offer of sending proof sheets of "Flora Britannica" as they came off the press so as to correct his own work, but various circumstances means he could not profit by such. Asks after possibility of seeing Smith at Edgbaston.
Congratulates Smith on his marriage, which he saw announced in the newspaper. Finds himself affected by the "dissipation of a great town" and is content just reading books on botany but honoured Smith has introduced his name into "English Botany". The Dublin Botanic Garden has begun and "liberal fine schemes are in view". The Dublin Society two years ago purchased the collections of [Nathanael Gottfried] Leske [(1751-1786) German botanist], including an herbarium, says that the Society intends to let it remain as an original work and the Society shall begin to form its own herbarium. Also collections of mineralogy, stuffed birds, shells, and insects, some with preservation issues. A man of the same name as Smith is in Ireland who spent £2000 at the Duchess of Portland's sale, asks if Smith knows him. Has noticed a volume by a Schmidt on trees, published in Vienna. Approves of Smith's opinion on Sir Thomas Brown [(1605–1682) physician and author].
Aware that Smith is embarking on his travels at the end of the month. Presumes Smith went to Norfolk for the election, is surprised that Windham "came in so easily" given how "out of favour" he deemed him to be when visiting. Criticises the unrepresentative electoral system.
Desirous of having some of Smith's verse, would also like the inscription on Sir Thomas Browne's Monument [(1605–1682) physician and author], feels it was a great omission from the "Norfolk Tour". Hopes Smith will be able to look at the Dublin Society's Leske collection soon. The Dublin Botanic Garden is developing at a great scale and expense but no gardener has as yet been found, asks after the "young man at Kew that the judges thought superior to [William Townsend] Aiton".
Requests a copy of the third volume of the "Linnean Transactions". Enquires after several publications: asks if [Adam] Afzelius is continuing with the "Iter Suecicum"; the new edition of "Hortus Kewensis"; laments abandonment of "Flora Rustica"; frustration that the second edition of the "Dictionary" still does not illustrate terminology; suggests having a map of Linnaeus's journey to accompany the "Flora". Found 'Scilla verna' on a recent excursion to Howth, a local mountain, to the surprise of [Walter] Wade, Daly, Scot and other doctors and botanists, praises Smith's figure of it and describes his specimen.
Sorry to hear of [John] Sibthorp's death, has heard there are plans to publish his travels and a large quantity of manscripts have been left. Asks after [Nicholas] Gwyn. Nearly finished reading second volume of Lorenzo de Medici, surprised that such an elegant work could issue from "the dross of such a place as Liverpool". Has enquired in vain after works of [Jean] Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405)]. Has two specimens of sycamore.
Death of Smith's father; L'Héritier; unable to send books.
Sending Smith parcel of plants and seeds from Gibraltar, Africa, and Portugal for Sir Joseph Banks, and a new dioecious plant called 'Thulea'. Also sending bulbs, insects collected by Broussonet, minerals, and shells.
Broussonet has requested names of plants sent. Fears Smith has not received several letters he previously sent. Broussonet has advised him to go to England. Requests Smith's assistance in establishing correspondence and exchanges with interested naturalists, including Fabricius.
Reply to Smith's letter of 25 June answering questions on his "Historia Salicum": at present no more than nine fascicules of it published, work will be continued and will be pleased to correspond with James Crowe and have his observations on species of English 'Salix'. Already published ninth fasciculus of his "Plantae lichen[...]" and second volume of his "Flora Germanica" which contains the mosses and fungi, will send to Smith. Professor Reich at Erlangen, Germany, has published German translation of Smith's "Tour on the Continent". Asks Smith to recommend to his friends a young man who would like to be a tutor, governor or companion to English family or man. Has not heard from [John] Blachford since he left.
Invites Smith and his wife to visit in October. Envies Smith his tour, asks if Downton [Castle, Herefordshire, home of Richard Payne Knight (1751-1824) art collector] was on the route. Sends a plant for determination which she raised from seed in a hothouse [Smith has noted on second folio "The plant is 'Antidesma alexiteria', but with 2 stamina? If we hear nothing will wait on them Oct 19"]. Disapproves of the Smiths' move to Norwich, Norfolk.
His cousin Schreibers' work on mollusca and insects; books sent and wanted; his marriage and family.
Capture of South Seas collections; asks Smith to inquire as to their fate.
Sends memoirs on various subjects; news.
Received Smith's letter of June 1796. Preparing a new packet of plants to send, including some better quality specimens of those previously sent. Discusses previously sent plants, including whether 'Acnida cannabina' should be renamed either 'Acnida celosioides' or 'Acnida amaranthoides'. Growing 'Orchideae' in his garden to eventually send on to Smith. Willing to send Smith any American plant but believes most are already in Kew Garden. Sending seed of 'Trollius ? americanus' and 'Pedicularis aspleniifolia'. Anxious for Smith's next set of observations. Asks if American trees are superficially described and specifically whether 'Juglans cinerea' L is the 'Juglans oblonga' of [Philip] Miller and if Linnaeus made 'J. oblonga' a variety of 'J. nigra'.
Sending specimens of 'Dillenia indica' in addition to those already sent to Sir Joseph Banks, to be divided with Smith. Poor health since coming to Calcutta, intends to go to coast of Coromandil and possibly on to Cape of Good Hope. His last 12 months work in the drawings sent to Banks from India House. [Francis] Buchanan has found the palm 'Nipa' or 'Nypa' of [Georg Eberhard] Rumphius, a new genus which Roxburgh plans to name after Buchanan.
Asks after drawings of various fungi he sent Smith last winter to be engraved for further study, as illustrations to a paper he withheld from sending; if it is too late for the paper to appear in "Linnean Transactions" vol 3 requests that they be returned. Sends first part of his "Observationes mycologicae", hopes Smith welcomes it in same way he welcomed his "Dispositio methodica fungorum". Requests plants from enclosed desiderata [extant].
Congratulates Smith on marriage. Anxious for L'Héritier, hopes he can finish "Stirpes novae" and "Gerania", asks if [Antonio] Cavanilles second volume is published. Suffered from ill-health in the last winter, discusses the proverb relating to doctors "that they never get meat till they have no teeth".
Introduces Dr [John] Lanigan [(1758-1828), Irish biblical scholar and historian], bearer of this letter and professor of theology at University of Pavia, who is visiting his family and avoiding the invasion of Milan by the French. Pleased by the comments on Pavia in Smith's "Tour on the Continent" and Smith's defence of [Antonio Giovanni] Scopoli, which has been reprinted in many languages. The box of copies of his "Tavole sui nervi dei Precordi" ["Tabulae neurologicae" (1794)?] he sent for the Royal Society and others in England has been seized by the French.