Has found considerable quantities of 'Cistus marifolius' near Dalnacardoch.
Was mistaken in his determination of recently found 'Cistus marifolius' and is in fact 'Cistus helianthemum'. Joining the 2nd Regiment militia in Montrose.
Previously sent [Dawson] Turner specimens of 'Phascum crispum' and 'Phascum multicapsulare', the latter drawn by [James] Sowerby who called it Hedwig's plant; understands Smith visited Turner and thinks the specimens "perfectly distinct". Recently sent Sowerby parcel containing 'Phascum stoloniferum', 'P. serratum', 'P. multicapsulare', 'P. muticum', 'P. acaulon', and 'P. curvicollum'; this last differs from figure in "English botany", which he has always considered 'Bryum lanceolatum' of [James] Dickson and "Flora Bedfordiensis"; further observations on this and other 'Phascum'.
Sonnet [by Abbot] "On the Condition of the Poor, written the last morning of the year 1800".
Requests 'Protea' seeds in addition to the 'Erica' ones he already requested from the Cape . He has been looking over [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's Cape specimens; starting to consider 'Protea' superior to 'Erica'; more and more astonished at botanical riches of the Cape; expects more from Sir George Young [(1732-1810), naval officer]. Asks if the Botany Bay plant Lee calls 'Hibiscus' is properly named yet; gave plant to local nursery man but missed it in flower. Last autumn busy gathering hardy herbaceous plants. Enquires after "Flora Graeca", anxious to see it.
No longer possible for him to visit Norwich, [Norfolk], as planned, due to an arbitration against him at Arley, [Worcestershire]. Requested biennial and perennial herbaceous seeds or plants from Cambridge, for his expanding botanic garden; high prices makes Lee the last resort. White [bookseller] has offered to supply first two volumes of Smith's "Flora Britannica", on account of his being so far from London. Surprised that Andrews is to draw and publish character of 'Pattersonia'. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's servants.
Disappointed not to see Smith in London. Several of the seeds Smith sent have germinated but not 'Trilium erectum'. Requests any spare seeds from [William] Roxburgh's parcel to Smith. [Thomas] Butt grateful for mention Smith made of him in "Flora Britannica" though puzzled at Smith's doubts over 'Gnaphalium margaritaceum'. 'Pattersonia' coming into flower.
His popular natural history work ready for the press. Asks Smith's opinion on value of a "Synopsis of British Zoology" in manner of [William] Withering's botanical work. Asks generic name of the "ligneous ropes" growing on trees of tropical forests, called 'Nebees' in Stedman's "Account of Surinam" and 'Bejucos' in another. Asks Linnaean names of the hooded-serpent, cobra di Capello, and locust of the eastern countries. Asks for verification of [John] Latham's statement that cygnets are fed for Christmas table in Norwich and sold for a guinea each. Asks for verification tale of a New Holland insect still living after being pinned for duration of voyage. Requests Smith's assistance with his Royal Society of Edinburgh candidature. Intends to visit North Wales again soon.
Dedicating his "Tour Through North Wales" to Smith, designed to aid future tourists. Proposes writing a popular book on Natural History ["Animal biology" ?]; his plan for the work; aimed chiefly at women; asks Smith's opinion.
Details of the Matlock, [Derbyshire], 'Achillea', acquired from person who communicated it to [James] Sowerby. Mrs Sherbrooke cautions against adopting new plants from Matlock neighbourhood as several years some gentlemen had scattered seeds of exotics in various places. Does not consider the 'Fumaria lutea' of "English botany" a native of Fountains Abbey, [Yorkshire]; thinks the 'Impatiens noli-tangere' on banks of river at Studley Park was purposely sown; doubts over 'Daphne cneorum' of Snowdon._x000D_
Writing a history of music and then to work on his popular natural history book. Asks if Linnean Society books can travel into the country. Requests exotic plants for Mrs Sherbrooke's almost completed greenhouse.
As Smith takes pleasure in "promoting botanical researches" requests his assistance in obtaining best possible edition of Linnaeus' "Species Plantarum" from London. Sends specimens of 'Syena' in fruit, seeds of red-flowered 'Digitalis', and seeds of 'Bigonia crucigera'. He has found 50 new genera near the city, he has named and sends seeds of: 'Conapetalum elliptifolium', 'Stellandria integrifolia', and 'Jeffersonia semparviens'; observations on each. His best "Genera plantarum" is Schreber's of 1791 but is "too minute & particular"; asks if a better edition is available. Asks that he be kept informed of botanical discoveries. Tea plants from China thriving here, they are the true hyson tea.
Requests letter of introduction to [Benjamin Thompson], Count Rumford [(1753-1814), physicist], for Mr Frost, "a very intelligent workman".
Received Smith's letter of 10 May [1800]. Comments on discrepancies in 'Astragalus' specimens sent by Mr Cullum. Comments of the Linnean Society on his paper on horned cattle "just"; further observations. Hopes to live to see completion of "Flora Britannica". Account of Mr [Charles] Morse, young botanical protege introduced by Smith; introduced him to Dr Rutherford. Thanks for curious collection of seeds of plants he has never seen; has given them to the Botanic Garden.
Pleased the plant he sent from Revd Mr Williams of Eaton, near Shrewsbury, [Shropshire], proved a valuable acquisition. 'Potomageton' nothing more than 'P. natans'; observations. Has no more specimens of the 'E. hydropiper'; extraordinary that Dillenius confused 'Centunculus' for 'Eltaine alinastrum'.
Thanks for seeds from Calcutta. 'Myrtus pimento' and 'Cordia coccinea' flowered during summer at Farnham, [Surrey].
Has engaged [James] Sowerby to colour and engrave his daughter's drawing [of a 'Cycas']; asks Smith to advise on any additions needed, and offers use of it to Linnean Society.
Sending "English botany" as usual, and including 3 bills. Sending prints for "Linnean Transactions" vol 5 tomorrow. Encloses a "rude bit" of [Charles] Abbot's 'Chenopodium urbicum'. Hopes for the 6 drawings for ["English botany"] no.100 soon.
[Spec 20 written in pencil at head of verso of folio]
Pleased Smith is satisfied with new volume of "Linnean Transactions", though he thinks some of the papers might have been omitted without reducing its value; convinced that they must give up the idea of publishing every year; explains his and [Jonas] Dryander's decisions in listing books donated to the Library.
Asks when Smith will be in London and when "Flora Britannica" will appear. There were no new papers at last general meeting of the Linnean Society, so they were forced to read an entomological paper by [Samuel] Goodenough previously read before; they now have enough for the next two or three meetings. Persoon's fungi paper has been found.
News for Dryander to relate to the Linnean Society: consulted Sir Joseph Banks on propriety of the Society applying for a charter from the King [George III (1738-1820)], Banks thinks it would be favourably received; Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North] pleased by his nomination as an Honorary Member; Marquis of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill] requests that M. de Tremear's nomination certificate be withdrawn as he has returned to France for time being.
Glad Smith sent the two volumes of "Flora [Britannica]" and the "Compendium" to Sir Joseph Bank's house. Grateful to Smith for wanting to publish a paper in the "Transactions" of the Lisbon Academy but warns that it will not receive very wide notice. Outraged that [Jacques Julien Houton de] la Billardière has renamed Smith's genus 'Correa' to 'Mazeutoxeron'.
Has heard of Smith's ill health from [Richard] Salisbury. Reassures Smith that the parcel he sent for [Rodrigo] de Sousa [Countinho] has not arrived too late and it will sail on the "Hero of the Nile". Ensures Smith that the paper he writes for the [Lisbon] Academy will be safely conveyed. Grateful for Smith's having looked at the 'Mazeutoxeron', and although his paper is much earlier than [Jacques Julien Houton de] la Billardière's [Antoine Laurent de] Jussieu has decided to support the old name, however he is going to speak to Billardière about it.