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.

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.

Shall follow his mother's directions to not attend any funerals, though that danger small compared to "what every medical man must be often exposed to", believing that every day people are exposed to abundant sources of infection but their constitutions are "seldom in a state to receive it". In daily expectation of his medal [given by Dr John Hope for best Scottish herbarium]. Proposes to be in London next winter, and will go to Norwich first in June. Afraid last change in Ministry will renew the war. Does not think Scotland has enough spirit to be independent.

Has been confined with diarrhea but cured with castor oil and butter, and laudanum and rhubarb. His dissatisfaction at enquiries into the Theory and Practice of Physic; believes medicine is in "the most barbarous condition of any science, & only now emerging from the greatest darkness & absurdity"; practitioner commonly state that theory is nothing and practice everything; Cullen's and Browne's lessons; accounts of Medical Society debates put into newspapers, violently incensing the orthodox men, conflict between Brunonians and Cullenians. On his recommendation Dr Broussonet of Montpelier, [France], whom he was with at Carlisle, was unanimously elected an honorary member of the Medical Society; Broussonet has offered in return to gain Smith's admittance to French academies, will also gain Broussonet admittance to Natural History and Philosophical Societies. Sends his father copy of letter received from Lord Buchan on being admitted an honorary member of the Natural History Society.

Encloses seed of 'Alsa foetida', given by Dr Hope from only plant of the kind in Europe, in Edinburgh Botanic Garden, to be given to Mr Ives; also sending to Mr Jackson, [James] Crowe, and [Thomas] Woodward; history of the plant. Recently attended Assembly Ball.

Wrote to his father from Rotterdam; account of their journey from there to Leyden. Account of his degree examinations, about which he was anxious, but not as much as before his election to the Royal Society. Politeness of the people. His difficulties at a card party at Professor Allamand's, to whom he was recommended by Sir Joseph Banks. His companions, living arrangements, and cleanliness and houses of the town.

Finished his academical business this morning, before the "formidable appearance" of the "great wigs". Details of his future movements towards the Hague, Antwerp, and Brussels; feels some reluctance at leaving Holland and Leyden, "there is something very delightful [...] of being in a country of universal toleration & unbounded liberty"; discusses the Protestant reformers who sheltered here. Asks to be remembered to "all the dear dog-holians".

Poem in tribute to a "most belov'd recess/ Dog-hole" [possibly a London Unitarian chapel].

Received his father's letter. Sorry to hear of John's [brother of Smith] disappointment but glad to hear of scheme for him to go into trade. Had various intentions of where to go but now intends to spend all his time in Paris, especially as Broussonet has so many connections. His possession of Linnaean collections of more use to him here than in England, as here everybody looks to him for information and eager to communicate; feels danger of becoming too vain. Not pleased with the national character here.

Excursions: disappointed by Versailles gardens; saw the King [Louis XVI (1754-1793)] and family; horror at the "daubing of the ladies cheeks"; visited Marechal de Nouailles, whose companion, Mr Le Breton, is translating his two pamphlets into French; a hunt by the King; coffin of James II. [Richard] Salisbury has returned to England.

Received his father's letter of 24 August [1786], has not yet received Lady Jernegan's packet. Has now given up remaining in Paris and intends to go to Montpelier with Broussonet, and then on to Genoa to visit the Marquis Durazzo and Turin, and return through Switzerland before returning to Paris, to arrive in London in April. Paris "wonderfully like" Edinburgh in some respects. Beauty of some of the places in Paris; notes that the marble statues are not damaged by the populace; no "perfectly pleasing morsel of architecture"; odd monuments to monarchs; picture collections. Asks for news of the Lord Chancellor, said to be in Paris. Hopes his father not displeased at criticism of his work in "Critical Review" for June; he is flattered by it.

Pleasure at reading Mrs Howorth's "enigmatically written" letter. His change of plans, now journeying to Montpelier, Genoa, and possibly Rome and Naples, before returning to London via Paris and Switzerland. Account of his "most agreeable jaunt" to the gardens and lands of Marquis de Giardin and tomb of [Jean-Jacques] Rousseau [(1712-1778), philosopher] and surrounding area, including an unfinished temple to modern philosophy, Rousseau's hut, and other monuments; they met Rousseau's widow, who showed them Rousseau's death mask. French literature and English translations; suggests Mrs Howorth's brother, Mr Lane, compiles a selection of French literature for schools, on plan of Enfield's speaker. Asks if Miss Louisa Lane has forgotten him [Mrs Howorth's sister].

Responds to Mrs P's letter. Religion "seems to sit very easy upon every body here"; disinclined to judge other people's conduct on the subject, less charity for those who have "scarcely any true principles of religion [and] in private affect to despise all those who have more principle or diffidence". His hatred of Abbés, though knows some exceptions, shocked that people entrust the education of their children to them, when their celibacy means these men cannot be anything but dissolute.

General dislike of the ladies of Paris and their painted faces; expects to fall in love with the first English woman he meets on landing, actually felt himself in danger from an English woman he saw in Paris. Nuns who visit the sick make up for the Abbés. Enquired after medical education abroad but not impressed with French system.

To Mr [Pitchford]: looking over Tournefort's herbarium, has already described 50 new species of oriental plants from it.

Success of his letters of recommendation with Mr Martineau, Dr Nevil, Dr Byam, Mr Gloag, Mr Torry, Mr Martin Lindsay, Miss Scott, Mrs Austin, and Dr Gardiner. Expects to derive most "comfort & advantage" from Dr [John] Hope; his character; recommended above all things that he master Latin; Hope's recommendations for what course to attend. Has been to the infirmary once, his "apprehensions & disgust" much less than expected. His fellow lodgers are Mr Lubbock and [John Henry] Engelhart. Met Lord Monboddo.

Account of his and Dr Younge's journey from Paris to Montpelier, via Lyons, including details of people they stayed with, inns, and country. Account of their activities in Montpelier, staying with Professor Broussonet, father of Paris friend [Pierre Marie Auguste Broussonet].

Thanks his father for "liberal provision of money". Reasons for journeying to Rome and Naples. Their route to Genoa.

His last letter was from Montpelier 18 November [1786]. Account of their journey from Montpelier to Marseilles, via Nismes, Avignon, where they had an excursion to the "prostituted" fountain of Vaucluse, and Aix. His favourable opinion of inhabitants and town of Marseilles. Cheapness of travelling.

Introductions for his father's cloth business; competition from Manchester and Yorkshire riders. Saw a funeral procession "with all sorts of mummery".

Arrived in Genoa evening before last, receiving his father's letters of 6 November and 7 December [1786]. Account of his [and William Younge's] journey from Marseilles to Genoa, including stop at Cottignae, where they met [Louis] Gerard, "one of the most famous European botanists of the Linnaean school", who gave him copies of two letters from Linnaeus, with leave to publish them, arranged future correspondence. Precipitous road from Nice to Genoa. Magnificance of the Marquis Durazzo's house. Dined with Mr Brame, the English consul; met Dr Batt, who gives no hopes of Mr Marsh's recovery. Keeping a full journal of his tour. His "Thesis" so incorrectly printed he is ashamed to send it out. Friendliness of the populace towards the English.

His last letter 30 December 1786. Account of his [and William Younge's] time in Genoa, including stay with the Marquis Durazzo, acquaintance with Dr Batt, fears for Mr Marsh's health, "smooth" English consul. Account of precipitous journey to Pisa, which necessitated sea journey from Sestri to Lerici, the remainder of the journey on land. Intended itinerary for remainder of their time in Italy. "Abundantly" furnished with letters of introduction. Durazzo reports that Spalanzani is now in prison in Vienna under charge of embezzlement; all hope for his innocence, he does for the "honor of philosophers".

His last letter to his mother, of 22 January 1787. His [and William Younge's] journey from Pisa to Rome, via Florence. Account of their time in Florence, where they were "quite in raptures"; art; the sepulchre of the Medicis; spent afternoons with Abbé Fontana. Stopped in Sienne to visit Dr Mascagni; his work on the lymphatic system. Their entrance into Rome; lodging in part of a house hired by Duke of Gloucester [Prince William Henry (1764-1805)]; compares St Peter's with St Paul's [Cathedral, London]; their itinerary.

Has learned all the particulars about Spalanzani, who "proves to be a great villain", having stolen items from the Emperor's museum and blamed Scopoli; further details of legal proceedings; many of his experiments found false; his father to inform relevant people.

His last letter 12 February [1787]. Account of his [and William Younge's] time at Rome, including the Carnival; saw the Pretender every day [Prince Charles Edward Stuart (1720-1788), Jacobite claimant to British throne], a "heavy, sickly looking man" who "drinks very hard"; lists the sights they have seen in Rome; will leave Rome "with more regret" than he ever left any place. Account of journey from Rome to Naples. Account of presentation to and evening with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester [Prince William Henry (1743-1805) and Maria Walpole (1736-1807)]. Description of a memorial mass for the Abbé de Bourbon they attended. Opinion of town and people of Naples. Can see Vesuvius from his window.

Forgot to mention that they got into the Pope's chapel on Ash Wednesday; his opinon of the Pope.

His father's letter of 12 February as grateful to him as "cold water to a thirsty soul". Unable to find any connections for his father in Naples, it is said they are all thieves. Discusses transfer of monies. Admires [William] Pitt [(1759-1806), Prime Minister 1783-1801] more than ever in the affair of Governor [Warren] Hastings [(1732-1818), Governor-General of India 1773-1785, accused of corruption in 1787]. Mr Marsh's poor condition.

Account of his [and William Younge's] activities in Naples, including their ascent of Vesuvius and trips to Herculaneum and Pompeii.

His last letter was of 26 March 1787, and recently received his father's of 4 January 1787. Religious liberty in Europe: has felt perfectly at ease in both Marseilles and Rome, and thinks people here "more liberal & less persecuting" than the Scottish; an impudent friend. Fears he has only made useful commercial connections for his father in Montpelier. Concerned for Miss Donne. His letters to Sir Joseph Banks. Does not enjoy Italian bread. Concerned for parcel of books he sent via [Nicholas] Gwyn. Account of his [and William Younge's] activities in Rome, including trip to the palace Borghese, list of artworks seen, criticism; visit to St Peter's, description of interiors and opinion of the Pope. Distinguished foreign visitors. Fireworks at St Angelo.