Recounts his recent movements between Bath, Haford, and London, where he was called to prevent the destruction of all the timber at Croft, which Smith may have seen advertised, but failed. Saw Sir Joseph Banks this morning. Received from Dr [James] Anderson "a lock of the golden fleece" which he supposes Smith has accounts of in the papers; it is "very curious & just the colour of raw silk, a high gold colour".

Opportunity to acquire seeds from Constantinople, as long as the list corresponds with [Peter] Forsskål [(1732-1763), Swedish naturalist]; asks Smith to compile a list of rare and beautiful plants in return for a share of the seeds, had hoped to send list from [Peter Simon Pallas'] "Flora Rossica", particularly 'Rhododendron'. Much hampered by his mother's conduct but sale of the timber prevented by an injunction. Has heard from his sister, Charlotte; she and Mrs Kindersley both well and there is an addition to the family, she was going to Baughlepoor.

Thanks Smith for list of seeds to be requested from Constantinople. Forwarded Smith's letter to Charlotte Smith; sorry she has met with such "ill usage, the abuse of the laws is the severest tyranny" but thinks her writings are "the first in the romance line".

Has had a blow to his credit. Praises gallantry of his countrymen. Heard this morning that the Dutch fleet are at sea, the east wind prevents the Downs fleet from sailing after them. Slow recovery of his daughter's health at Bath, [Somerset].

Received Smith's letter of 12 [May]. Gained relief from the worst cough he ever had by applying a blister to his chest, and now so well as to go to Bath tomorrow, where he will bring drawings for Mr Edwards. When he returned to Hafod found that Mrs Johnes had "performed miracles", including finishing the conservatory. 'Azalea pontica' growing so well gardener is considering laying it to get more. Asks for any Botany Bay seeds Smith is sent by his friends. The Botany Bay Gum tree is dead but 'Assa foetida' alive, hopes to have two 'Strelitzia' next year, which had a narrow escape from being destroyed due to damp bottom. Asks Smith's opinion of Calonne's museum, which he has been offered and would like to buy for his daughter [Mariamne Johnes]. Received magnificent present from Sir John Sebright [7th baronet (1767-1846) ?] of Edward Lloyd's [Edward Lhuyd (1660-1709), naturalist and antiquary ?] collection of Welsh manuscripts.

Sorry to hear Smith unwell; his own cough remains and took a "good dose of tennis this morning", a "pleasanter medicine than James's powder". Sending portfolio of drawings and plans of Hafod to Mr Edwards, including moonlight view of Abersytwyth belonging to Mr Walker of Edinburgh, who persuaded him to make an exchange he regrets for a drawing of Jacob Moore. Sorry to have lost Calonne's collection, now advertised to be sold piecemeal, as he wishes to encourage his daughter's [Mariamne Johnes] love of natural history as much as possible, "for it must tend to good". Discusses qualities and worth of the Hafod drawings but catalogue of the library delayed. Cannot give Smith good account of his daughter's health and is impatient to set out for sea water, "our sheet anchor".

Sent [Walker's] drawing of the moonlight view of Aberystwyth to Mr Edwards of Pall Mall, as Dr Anderson has left London for the north.