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Thanks for Smith's letter and wishes him success in his application to Mr Gurney. His daughter [Mariamne Johnes] "vastly well" and improving daily. Severe south-westerley wind has blown the tiles off part of roof but has succeeded in making his library and other parts of the house warmer. His daughter seems improved in mind as well as body.
On hearing that the French had surrendered [following an invasion in support of Irish rebels] took a boat to Holyhead, Anglesey, to botanise with Hugh Davies. Description of a glen in which 'Polypodium fragile', 'Polypodium cristatum', 'Polypodium filix-mas' and 'Polypodium femina', 'Asplenium [adiantum-nigrum]', and 'Papaver cambricum'. Also found 'Lichen geographicus', 'Lichen concentricus', 'Sedum telephium' and 'Sedum reflexum'. Found an abundance of 'Lychnis flore rubro'. Recommends going to see Lord Penrhyn's [Richard Pennant (c 1737-1808) 1st Baron Penrhyn] slate quarry. Also visited Aberystwyth, Bangor, Beumorris, Caernarvon and the "famous copper mine at Paris Mount". Has seen [John] Templeton [(1766-1825)], "an alert, active botanist", with whom he found a 'Chlora perfoliata', which does not grow in Ireland, "it seem'd as much joy as a good prize in the Lottery". Imparts his unease at the project for an Irish Union with Britain, "better perhaps to bear the ills we have than fly to others that we know not of". Believes England is in a "desperate situation" and with no energy to provide assistance with Ireland's own troubles. Thanks Mrs Smith for the work she has undertaken. Smith's "Tracts" have already sold out in Ireland. Looking forward to the new edition of Smith's "Tour". Sorrow at the death of [Thomas] Pennant. Disapproves of [Jelinger] Symons "pocket synopsis" ["Synopsis Plantarum Insulis Britannicis Indigenarum"], dislikes the growing use of "wove papers and hot press" in publishing.
Sends description of a peculiar variety of beech for "Linnean Transactions". In anticipation of being made a FMLS has already described himself as such in his recent publications.
After discussion with [William] Withering, prior to publication of third edition of his ["Botanical arrangement"], believes that the two varieties of 'Ulex' are distinct species on account of the lengths of calyx. Reports his own observations and agrees with Withering, and that a repeated blunder with 'Ulex' has been passed down in every "Flora" since [John] Ray. Has submitted a paper on this [see RelatedMaterial below]. Character of 'Ulex elatior' and 'Ulex europaeus'. Delaying his remarks on the "curious animal" 'Medusa' until after more observations next summer.
Has received a letter from [Pierre Marie Auguste] Broussonet in Tangier, [Morocco], and forwarded to Smith a parcel of specimens collected in Barbary by Broussonet. Is sending a collector to New South Wales, asks for any papers from "Linnean Transactions" on plants of the area. Has received letters from [Friedrich Conrad] Hornemann, who was intending to set out for the interior of Africa on 12 September, following difficulties with the French. Thanks Mrs Smith for turkeys.
Read Smith's paper at last Linnean Society meeting to a "numerous audience", and never meets with less than 30 on a general night now, still short of papers for next meeting. Asks Smith's intentions for coming to London. Death of [Thomas] Pennant; thinks it a "shame" that none of his works were presented to the Society. Recently afflicted with "a severe fit of the stone". Requests description of 'Scarabaeus conspurcatus' if in Linnaean collections to clear confusion over it, and a magnified sketch by Mrs [Pleasance] Smith or one of his sisters. Criticises preface of Paykull's "Fauna Suecica", intends to attack both him and Fabricius in his own [for "Entomologia Britannica" (1802)].
Thanks for Smith's description of 'Scarabaeus conspurcatus', also requests its measurements. Sorry to hear Smith suffers so much with his health, and thanks Smith for recommendation of "Mephitie water" [for his kidney stones], which he took with some success in 1794, but is now suffering from them again. Confirms death of [Thomas] Pennant.