Received his father's letter of 20 August [1782]. Will assist Mr Cooper if he requests it, would be wrong for him to show any "extraordinary reserve". Responds to Norwich news. His tour to Loch Lomond shorter than expected, owing to bad weather, but was "agreeable & successful"; account of the journey to and stay in Glasgow, and onward journey to Loch Lomond, met Mr Stewart, companion of [Thomas] Pennant in one of his tours, ascent of Ben Lomond, and their return journey to Edinburgh. Dr Broussonet sent him copy of his new work on fish.

Received Smith's letters of 19 and 29 August [1782]. Reiterates comments about Mr Cooper's arrival in Edinburgh; his inattention and incivility. Francis, [Smith's brother], has returned [from journeyman duties], trade has fallen off alarmingly. News of Norfolk friends.

Received his father's letter of 12 September 1782, thanks for advice concerning Mr Cooper; his history. Details his intended classes for the winter, may also undertake Greek.

Mr Cooper. [John] Pitchford has a "quire of Botany" to send Smith. Anxious queries of whether Smith's residence at Sheffield, [Yorkshire], "produced or discovered" anything intimate; warns him against engaging his affections until seeing something of the world. Norwich news. They have had large "fire & sky rockets" made on Mousehold Hill to answer some at Lowestoft, [Suffolk], and Yarmouth, [Norfolk]; hopes they are not in danger from the enemy. Shambles of Tom Day's dinner for his election to office of sheriff.

Mr Morgan's "appeal to the public" in response to Brand's letter. Details of parcel being sent to Smith. Mr Cooper to look Smith out; an agreeable companion for Smith, warns Smith not to become so used to his acquaintances that he does not keep other company, like English travellers abroad. Long discussion of consequences of Morgan's appeal. Pleased with Smith's letter to Mrs Pitchford, thinks a correspondence with her will introduce a familiar and gay style to his letter writing, the French habit. Mr Nouaille thinks Richard [Smith's brother] should be encouraged in his skill for drawings and become an architect or surveyor. Smith's aunt Kindersley's translation of a French essay. They have not heard of Smith's cousin in India [Nathaniel Kindersley]. Norwich news.

Received his father's letter of 3 Novmber [1782]. Elected member of the Medical Society; account of the election. [John Henry] Engelhart chosen as one of the 4 presidents; he has altered much for the better. Sorry to hear accountof Morgan's pamphlet. Benefits of living with Mrs Beveridge. New acquaintances, including Mr [William] Younge. His expenses greater than expected. Account of how he spends his time; no time for a Latin or Greek master. Sends West Indian seeds for Mr Jackson.

Thanks for parcel and letters from his father, mother, Frank [Smith's brother], and Sally. Responds to his father's letter of 28 November [1782]; defends Mr Cooper. Reassures his father he shall never disrespect any advice given. Offers to acquire fossil collection for Dr Manning. Oats scarce in Scotland, collections are being made for the poor. Just received his father's letter of 26 December [1782]. Their Natural History Society going on well; they are to have 4 annual presidents, hopes to be one of them; just submitted a paper on the "Phenomena of Vegetable Odours"; often speaks in the Medical Society. He has won Dr [John] Hope's medal [for best Scottish herbarium]; he was the only one to enter but complimented on the collection, which was larger than that of Dr Parsons', the last successful one. Congratules Richard, [Smith's brother], on the prizes he has won, and admires his drawings. Just attended funeral of son of Dr Reid of Glasgow; grief of the family; peculiar death, which came on at crisis of unsevere fever, from Tympanites.

Received Smith's letter [of 31 December 1781]. Presumes Smith is developing his own "manners & carriage" from association with the genteel of Edinburgh. Congratulates Smith on his acquitting himself so well in dancing; they are relieved to hear he is not exhausting himself with study. Glad of Smith's acquaintance with [John Henry] Engelhart and that his other acquaintance [Lubbock] has improved. Norwich news, including recovery of health of Smith's sisters, Esther and Fanny.

Account of his journey occasioned by Tolson's "infamous conduct" [Tolson was apparently James Smith's journeyman]; difficulties of trade. Responds to Smith's letters of 22 January [1782] and 12 February [1782]. Amusements are part of Smith's education. Pleased by Smith's enquiries of his grandfather's last illness; opinions. Mr Matineau recommends Smith become a member of the Medical Society. Usefulness of Latin to compliment Smith's French and Italian.

Requests specimens, presumably collected during Smith's northern tour, of 'Juncus spicatus', 'Juncus biglumis', 'Juncus triglumis', 'Gnaphalium supinum', 'Anthericum calyculatum', 'Salix lapponum', 'Polytrichum alpinum', 'Lichen polyphyllos', 'Polypodium rhoeticum', and a fructifying 'Lichen fasciularis', some are marked in pencil with a cross. Has sent a specimen of 'Lichen parellus' that may differ from Smith's. A list of plants he has found in the summer. Turnip crop in Norfolk devastated by black caterpillars, has been unable to find the fly that produces them, but [Eleazar] Albin's "A Natural History of the English Insects" relates how a similar blight in 1719 was caused by the 'Ichneumon' fly, which Bryant disputes. The only flies collected from the turnip fields are possibly the 'Tenthredo rosae', sends two specimens for Smith for information and asks which fly Albin's black caterpillar produces.

Introduces Mr Cooper, who has left the Church of England to study physic. Asks if Dr [William] Cullen [(1710-1790), chemist and physician] proposes publishing another volume of his "First Lines [of the Practice of Physic" (1777-1784)]; asks after progress of Ferguson's ["History of the Progress and Termination of the Roman Republic" (1783)] and Dr [William] Robertson's [(1721-1793), historian and Church of Scotland minister] "History of America" [(1777)]. Comments on "savage" Bruno. Norwich news.

Thanks for specimens; disappointed in obtaining some of Smith's desiderata, but hopes to acquire 'Ophrys aranifera' and 'Genista pilosa' from [Thomas] Woodward, as well as 'Stratiotes aloides'. Hopes Smith is enjoying his time and excursions in Scotland. Obstinate remitting, intermitting fevers in Norwich not yielding to "the Bark"; they are using a red bark taken in a Spanish prize, said to be stronger than the common.

Discusses Norwich 'Lichen', including: 'L. tartareus', 'L. parellus', 'L. pertusus', 'L. ventosus', and 'L. gelidus'; queries meaning of word "testaceus". Believes 'Cynosurus caeruleus' and 'Fontinalis pennata' Smith sent are incorrectly named; suggests 'Festuca decumbens' and 'Hypnum complanatum', respectively. [James] Crowe has a valuable Yorkshire correspondent, Mr Alexander, who supplies many plants, including 'L. fluviatilis'. Recent acquisitions: 'Tremella nostoi' and 'Peziza acetabulum', Sir Thomas Cullum found possible 'L. nivalis'. Plant supposed to be 'Hydnum imbricatum' not so; notes.

Comments on Smith's remarks on Crowe's 'Elymus', which had also been confirmed by Sir Joseph Banks and young Linnaeus in London.

Has been preparing parcel of Smith's desiderata. Smith's letter to his wife "very gallant". List of part of his desiderata, largely Cryptogamic in nature. Details of method by which he is sending Smith's parcel. Asks if 'Schoenus ferrugineus' has been found in Britain.

List of plant specimens gathered by [Thomas] Woodward.

Thanks for specimens; pleased Smith received his, including "fine" specimen of 'Arundo epigejos' from [Thomas] Woodward. His and [James] Crowe's opinion of Smith's doubtful plants: 'Lichen lanatus' is 'L. pubescens', 'L. sinuatus' is 'L. marginalis', 'L. sylvaticus' correct, 'Byssus cryptarum' is 'B. saxatalis', 'Fontinalis squamosa' or 'minor' is 'F. antipyretica' flowering, notes. Encloses specimens of 'F. squamosa' and 'F. minor' [extant].

Information on Mr Alexander of Halifax, Yorkshire, who is to be a physician or surgeon and who is currently training in London. Hopes Smith's studies are going well; does not mind making up prescriptions for Smith's patients, though "the poor must not be forgot".

Requests specimens of 'L. horizontalis', 'L. torrefactus', 'L. polyphyllus', 'L. caeruleo-nigricans', 'Saxifraga nivalis', and 'Saxifraga hypnoides'. Has not yet examined Smith's 'Fucus pygmaeus' with the mosses. Particular thanks for specimens of 'L.glomuliferus', 'L. vespartillio', 'Juncus trifidus', and 'Gnaphalium supinum'.

Specimen of 'Fontinalis squamosa', with note, and specimen of 'Fontinalis minor', with note.

Does not think botany is essential to medical education beyond knowing which plants are used in medicine. Botanical discoveries: Sir Joseph Banks and [Daniel] Solander call Smith's 'Lichen miniatus' 'L. deustus'; [James] Crowe and [James] Dickson found 30 new cryptogamic species in Norfolk including two 'Pezizas' and a Jungermannia called 'hypnoides'; [Henry] Bryant found Dillenius' 'Sphaerocephalus terrestris minimus'; [Robert] Stone of Bungay [(d 1829)] discovered 'Hydnum imbricatum' and 'Lycoperdon coliforme'; description of a 'Fungus pulverulentus [...]' Ray "Synopsis methodica" 28.12. Discussion of plants: has not seen 'Lichen pullus' or 'Fucus palmatus'; Crowe's 'Lichen horizaontalis'; mistook 'Lichen parellus' for 'Lichen pertusus'; discoveries of 'Helvella caryophyllaea', 'Lichen miniatus', 'Boletus lucidus'; hopes to send 'Agaricus quercinus', 'Agaricus betulinus', and 'Boletus fomentarius'. Young [Carl] Linnaeus [(1741-1783)] is in London, has stopped his publication plans on account of Banks' 40,000 discoveries [possibly Australian plants].

Discusses the decocting of "red bark", possibly for agues: [William] Withering uses 'Salix alba', Smith recommends 'Salix myrsinites'. [John] Lightfoot says the 'Fontinalis pennata' Smith found is 'Hypnum complanatum'. Discussion of lichens: does not believe Smith's two 'Lichen parellus' specimens are distinct; agrees with 'L. pertusus'; Smith's 'L. gelidus' accords with Hudson ["Flora Anglica"] but does not think it distinct from 'L. ventosus'; mistakenly called 'L. fluviatilis' 'L. vivularis'; requests 'L. vespertilis', 'L. marginalis', and 'L. sylvaticus'; London botanists wrong about 'L. cristatus' and 'L. crispus', errors with Dillenius' plate of it; requests 'L. vernalis' of Lightfoot and 'L. fernugineus' of Hudson; Lightfoot's 'L. aurantiacus' is Hudson's 'L. ferrugineus' and not 'L. flavo-rubescens'; unsure what Lightfoot's 'L. vernalis' is in Hudson.

The Society for the Investigation of Natural History has elected "your Lordship" an Honorary Member.

[Note on reverse of letter:] "Geo. Aikenhead, Horns of an Elke found at the depth of 76 feet with superincumbent Strata of Soil Moss & Marle".

Leaving London for Paris and is sending various items for Smith to send on to others. 'Lichen ventosus', others will be sent by Mr Dickson. Books for Smith, Professor [John] Hope, [Joseph] Black and Dr Walker, a parcel for Dr Irvine. Asks to be remembered to Dr Hope. 'Portlandia grandiflora' in flower at Kew.