His shame at never accepting [Thomas William] Coke's invitations to Holkham, [Norfolk]; envious of his and [Andrew] Fountaine's "splendid collections"; will try to visit Smith soon but not this summer. He is recovering well thanks to Dr Darwin, and has not seen such a physician since [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician], "and he is more prudent".

Setting out for their new purchase in Langstone Cliffe Cottage, near Exmouth, Devon, some time next month. Frost and snow at Hafod but now thawing. Asks Smith to acquire a keg of cured herrings from Stiles of Norwich, [Norfolk], who cures them "superior to the Dutch"; he wants his countrymen to cure them the same way.