Assures Smith that it is only those "that expect every thing, and who give themselves airs when they come here" that he is vexed, though he is sorry for the repeated complaints he has had of the avarice of his housekeeper and concludes the easiest solution is to close his house up, for if it remains open to all he shall be overrun. Has not heard or seen anything of Symmons since he returned to Wales, and though Symmons has had many workmen does not think he will stay long. Has a "small bantling" coming out; complains of White's high charges for printing. His Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] translation now ready but waiting to see how his "partinger" is received before proceeding. Intends to be in London early February, in order to settle his accounts, but will not stay longer than a month as his farm now requires constant attention.

His old schoolfellow [William] Windham [(1750-1810), politician] seems willing to "undo all her formerly did", and from being a "steady Whig is become a determined Tory". Does not think the peace will last long. Thinks everyone ought to attempt to "alleviate our informal debt" and has drawn up a plan for this.

Thanks for turkey and letter. Has not yet met the other Trustees of [Benjamin] Robertson [(c 1732-1800)] [bequest of £80,000 to establish a botanic garden], but already has plans for a Professor; does not intend allowing any of the Trustees having superintendence of the garden.

Postpones their visit to Smith until the weather is more settled and warmer. Suffering from bad digestion and irregular bowels; prescribed pills of half-soap, half-rhubarb, but thinks analpetic pill or more rhubarb would be better. Should Smith still wish to visit Roche a literary call would be sufficient. Smith's discovery of 'Lichen floridus' "curious", concludes much is still wanting understanding the physiology of the Cryptogamic class; discusses tubercules and fructification in detail, with reference to Hedwig and 'Fucus' species.

[Johann Karl Adam] Murhard [(1781-1863)] of Gottingen; Berg-Rath Wille of Fredrickshalle, Hesse; and John Schaub, Professor of Chemistry, Hesse Capel, have all been proposed as FMLS by [George] Shaw and [John] Parkinson. Received draft of Linnean Society charter from Sir Joseph Banks, intends to send it on to Smith shortly.

Dawson Turner has been with him. Keen to talk with Macleay in person about plans for [Benjamin] Robertson's [(c 1732-1800)] botanic garden. Neither he nor Turner have any knowledge of the three recent FMLS proposals, and asks that they be withdrawn, as he wishes the foreign list is increased as little as possible before the charter is received.

[Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon has requested the drawings for his paper on fungi be returned, as he has published the text in his "Synopsis Fungorum"

Sends specimen of grass he found in a wood near Newtown Barry, Ireland, believes it to be close to Smith's 'Festuca calamaria'. List of habitats of Irish plants observed by him. Disappointed in attempts to establish a botanical garden of hardy herbaceous plants with Lord Valentia [George Annesley] by the "ignorance or imposition of nurserymen", asks Smith to recommend anyone in Norfolk willing to assist. Asks whether there is a treatise on the genus 'Aster', the descriptions in "Hortus Kewensis" and Marten's "Dictionary" being "very confused". Lord Valentia sends an index to first four volumes of [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow's "Species Plantarum". From the seeds Smith sent has been able to grow 'Helianthus decapetalus', 'Polymnia canadensis', 'Eupatorium kuhnia', 'Carduus carinatus', and 'Allium nutans'.

Received Smith's alterations to his paper on 'Salix' too late for printing. His paper on 'Myrti' was read and will appear in next volume of "Linnean Transactions". The Lord Chancellor has declared [Benjamin] Robertson's [(c 1732-1800)] bequest towards establishing a botanic garden to be null and void.

Presents Smith with two "curious" plants. The first 'Oenothera biennis' discovered by John Sheppard [(c 1764-1836) first curator Liverpool Botanic Garden], a garden plant not acknowledged as a native, description and location of wild habitat growing alongside 'Cynoglossum officinale', 'Salix repens' and 'Carexes'. The second 'Saponaria anglica concava' first discovered in Northamptonshire by [John] Gerard [(d 1611) herbalist] but not found since that time, description of its habitat. Offers to send specimens to Smith for verification.

A friend of Smith's desire for rearing birds from eggs and the known difficulties of transporting ptarmigan eggs for this purpose, will endeavour to procure some but recommends that they should travel by sea. At a loss as to how to procure black game [black grouse] for Smith as it is now so scarce in Scotland but recalls seeing "immense flocks" near Morpeth, Northumberland, in 1770.

Hopeful over the procurement of ptarmigan eggs for Smith's friend although there is conflicting advice on how to keep the suitable for incubation. Assured of British success in Egypt [to end French occupation] through information from the Russian Minister in Paris via Mr Lock and the French Administration via Mr Addington.

Printer lacks copy for current volume of "Linnean Transactions", and papers on humblebees and Correa's on 'Doryanthus' are missing. Will arrange for [Erik] Acharius and Dr Westring to be proposed as FMLS. [Thomas] Marsham just set off on tour through Wales, he desires Smith to solicit [James] Crowe for his subscription to the Linnean Society charter. The charter with currently with the Attorney and Solicitor General.

Sending 'Phascum' specimens; his method for keeping them. Finds that most botanists have confounded 'P. multicapsulare', 'P. aphyllum', and 'P. stoloniferum' under 'P. acaulon'; observations.

Sends 'Bryum canceolatum' by request, also 'P. muticum', 'P. acaulon', 'P. bryoides', 'Lichen narius' of Hoffmann, 'L. punctiformis', 'P. curviocollum'; a "singular production", 'P. scandens'.

Thanks for specimen of 'Hypnum smithii' and opinion on 'Phascum' specimens he sent Smith; observations on these, including possible new species of stemless 'crispum', 'P. aphyllum' different from 'P. muticum', 'P. bryoides'. Approves of name 'Salix russelliana'. Finds that the 'P. scandens' is 'Mnium annotinum' Linnaeus; sends specimen in fruit; observations. Sends specimens of 'Lichen punctiformis', and 'Lichen luteus' Withering, which grows on bark of pollard ashes. Also sends 'Bryum rusescens'.

["Spec. 1" annotated in pencil at top of verso of folio]

Sends specimens of 'Salix rubra' and 'S. fissa'; inclined to think they are sexual varities; his reasons. Encloses specimen of 'Erodium moschatum' gathered Ampthill Warren; will send specimens of 'Salix russelliana' catkins when in flower; sent [James] Sowerby 'Mnium annotinum', transcribes comments by Dawson Turner on this, who thinks it 'Trentepohlia' Hoffmann and now calls 'Surculum bulbiferum'. Encloses specimens of 'Lichen psora' [extant] and 'Bryum flavescens', found near Clapham Park Wood, new to England.

Specimen labelled 'Lichen psora'.

Thanks for Smith's "Tour"'. Comments on sermon by Smith's friend Houghton. Hopes to see Smith soon.

Sends 'Primula' for [James] Sowerby; first sent to him 2-3 years ago; rare in Bedfordshire and Worcestershire pastures and orchards; called the black cowslip; credits Mrs Abbot with its discovery. Sends specimens of female 'Salix russelliana' catkins and 'Bryum fragile' [James] Dickson from Aspley Wood.

Relieved to hear of recovery in Smith's health. Encloses specimen of either Smith's 'Scirpus multicaulis' or 'S. viviparous', found Ampthill Bog. Previously sent it to [James] Sowerby with a Cyptogamous plant Sowerby named 'Blasia pusilla'.

["Spec. 3" annotated in pencil at top of verso of folio]

Received [James] Crowe's and Smith's subscriptions for Linnean Society charter.

He has just finished 'Mammalia' for his ["Animal biography"], his present authorities are Gmelin's "Systema naturae", [Thomas] Pennant's "British Zoology", Pennant's "Synopsis of Quadrupeds", and [George] Shaw's "Arctic Zoology"._x000D_

Has chosen title "Sketches of Nature, descriptive principally of the Economy of the animal and vegetable kingdoms", manuscripts now in London._x000D_

Transcription of specimen passages for his "Synopsis of British Zoology", for criticism [2 pp]._x000D_

Intends to visit North Wales again, prior to publication of second edition of his tour; expects to receive assistance from [Hugh] Davies, and would like to access Pennant's papers; will send [James] Sowerby rare plants.

Sends specimen pages of the manuscript for his new 4 volume work on Natural History, for Smith's opinion; the "tribunal of the public is a somewhat awful one to young writers". The arrangements principally adopted from Gmelin's ["Systema naturae"], [George] Shaw's "General Zoology", and [John] Latham's "Synopsis [of birds]"