Replies to Smith's letters of 2 October [1786] and 12 February [1787]; pleased that Smith still thinks of his Norwich friends; thanks for Bulliard [plates for "Histoire des champignons" (1791-1812)] and offer of Leers' "Flora". Comments on [Anders Jahan] Retzius' [(1742-1821)] output. Thanks for 'Gnaphalium luteo-album' and 'Agrostis minima'. Smith's access to so many famed herbariums like "taking a journey to Jupiter or Saturn". Smith's 'Senecio acanthifolius' must be "magnificent". If Smith travels through Switzerland recommends consulting [Albrecht von] Haller's [(1708-1777)] herbarium as useful for a "Flora Anglica" considering so many Swiss plants are native to England. Comments on Smith's account of his travels, including visit to [Louis] Gerard, time in Genoa with Marquis [Ippolito Durrazo], Florence, and [Lazzaro] Spallanzani's [(1729-1799), Roman Catholic priest and natural historian] disgrace, and the non-reviews of Smith's tract attacking "so great a personage".

Has not found any new cryptogamia this winter but [James] Dickson's expedition to Scotland produced 150 new species of mosses, jungermanniae, and lichens, though many were lost when [James] Crowe's portmanteau was stolen. Saw Smith's mother in Norwich who informed him of [Robert] Batty's relapse, including vomiting blood. An election declared void on account of bribery by House of Commons following petition by Sir T Beever, details of reelection. Death of his father-in-law, Mr Manning; short confinement after long decline from diabaetes.

Heard of Smith's arrival in Paris, agreeable tour to Mount Cenis, and travels in the Alps; discusses Saussure's "Voyage dans les Alps"; thanks for promise of Alpine specimens to complete English series. Will show [James] Pitchford Smith's account of 'Malampyrum sylvaticum', though is convinced the other is 'M. pratense'; infallibility of [John] Ray and [William] Hudson. [James] Crowe found 3 specimens of 'Ophyrs loeselii' on St Faith's bogs, [William] Sole found them near Cambridge, roots sent to [William] Curtis and [James] Dickson.

Difficulties of Dickson's new Scottish botanical discoveries. Keen to learn more about 'Fucus', at Cromer, [Norfolk], saw 'Ulva plumosa', 'Ulva fistulosa', and 'Fucus verracosa'; observations. Discusses acquisition of books: Leers' "Flora", Retzius' fasciculus, and Bulliard's plates ["Histoire des champignons" (1791-1812)].

Discusses Smith's living arrangements for near future. Asks Smith to pick up parcel from [William] Withering for him; contains a variety of 'Carex panicea'. List of London commissions for Smith to carry out for him including books and desiderata list [extant, 4 pages of plant names, some have been marked].

Smith's imminent establishment of a botanical society [Linnean Society, founded 1788]; discusses possibility of writing a paper on 'Lycoperdon' and difficulties of its current classification, and suggests additional paper on 'Cryptogamia'. Message for [Samuel] Goodenough: waiting for response from his Yarmouth, [Norfolk], friend on 'Fucus'.

Their enjoyment of Smith's letters. Not sorry that Smith not "bit with Poetic Phrenzy" on his visit to Vaucluse, "no Muse rewards her Votaries so ill"; discusses this. Norwich news. Sending turkies to Sir Joseph Banks, thinks he expects a letter from Smith.

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.

Received Smith's letters of 12 February and 5 March 1787. They enjoy Smith's letters but always worry for his health and safety. Account of his trip to London: visited Smith's Chelsea appartment and found all as it should be, paid Molly; Mrs Howorth showed him a letter from Smith; [Robert] Batty has vomited blood, his wife an "agreeable companion"; breakfasted with Sir Joseph Banks. Norwich news. Told that the road from Milan to Turin is in danger of "banditti"; urges caution. Smith's brother, Francis, is pursuing astronomy.

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.

Anxious to receive letter his father promised. Shortly leaving Rome, from whence he [and William Younge] are travelling to Bologna, Venice, and Milan. Met Mr Marsh; symptoms of his illness. Has met [Anthony] Aufrere several times at Rome. Difficulties of acquiring money at Rome. Informed by Broussonet that he has been elected a member of the Paris Royal Agricultural Society. Account of their activities in Rome, including visits to churches. Usefulness of Lady Miller's letters for ease of travelling here.

Last wrote to his father on 24 April [1787]. Account of his [and William Younge's] journey from Rome to Bologna, via Loreto; has never left any place "with half so much regret"; details of the route and country, including holy shrines of Loreto, and visit to Ancona. Account of their time in Bologna. Setting out for Venice shortly, and then Milan. He is "never better than when travelling or running about", and has not had a cold for a very long time.

Received Smith's letters of 26 March and 11 April [1787]. Anxious for Smith's safety on account of the "jealous government" of Venice and "cut throats" of Lombardy; indebted to their Milan friends Messrs Malanot and Maghit for the kindnesses they showed Smith. Books received for Smith. Concern for his silk trade. Molly Standard [Smith's house attendant] is with child by the man who courted her; Smith's mother will either find someone new or have Molly return after she is better. Dispute between Sir Thomas Beevor and Mr Hobart.

Received Smith's letter of 7 May [1787]. Their eagerness that though Smith is on the way home he should not pass up any opportunities to improve his knowledge and taste and form useful connections. News of "cousin Thomas Smith" and complications in a romantic attachment to Miss Smith; complications in will of Mrs Smith of Sheffield, [Yorkshire]. Has been following Smith's route through Italy in Abbé Richard's book.

Received his father's letter of 29 March [1787] and mother's of 19 March [1787], and his last letter was of 7 May [1787]. Responds to news in his parents' letters. His intended future movements in Italy. Account of his [and William Younge's] journey from Bologna to Milan, via Venice, account of their time there, Padua, Verona, Mantua, and Parma. Their movements after leaving Milan.

Last letter received from Smith was 7 May [1787]. [William] Younge has parted from Smith as he wished to return to England and not spend further time in Genoa. Asks Smith not to buy him a watch in Geneva. Norwich news.

Received his parents' letters of 16 May, 21 May, and 28 May [1787]. Sending books home. Sorry to hear of Molly Standard's "folly & misfortune" [Smith's housekeeper; she had become pregnant]. Conduct of cousin Thomas Smith and his sister fills him with "surprise & indignation [...] shame & contempt". Has advised Mr Marsh to take a ship home to England, realising that he will never get well on land, and his father demands his return as he has spent over £600 in the last 6 months. Details of his and [William] Younge's parting of ways. "Very well pleased" with a servant he hired at Milan, though he "dresses hair badly".

During his time at Pavia met Scopoli, who having heard he intends to publish some works of Linnaeus, offered all his notes; had his suspicions about Spalanzani and Scopoli fully justified; account of Spalanzani; overlooking translation of his publication into Italian [probably his Leyden dissertation]. Time spent with the Marquis Durazzo. Suffered a slight health scare but now better.

Discusses their friends: Miss Louisa Lane, Mrs Howorth's brother, Mary Evans, Louisa [Mrs Howorth's daughter], Douglas [Mrs Howorth's son]. Cannot recommend any Italian poetry, but has learnt to like Italian music, enchanted with Rome, unable to draw any views of Switzerland. Her reflections on [Jean-Jacques] Rousseau [(1712-1778), philosopher] and Socrates are excellent and just. Very much "chargrined" at the situation in Chelsea [pregnancy of his housekeeper, Molly Standard], and has made "no provision for a groaning". Since arriving in Genoa has had a little pleurisy, which was immediately removed by bleeding.

Sent on 23 [July 1787]. Received his father's letter of 2 July [1787], sorry his letter of 8 June [1787] took so long in reaching Norwich. His reasons for extending his stay in Genoa. Forced to buy himself a new outfit at Genoa. Lists all the sums of money he has taken since leaving Paris. Pleasure of travelling with [William] Younge. Responds to points in his father's letter regarding his travels. Has met Mr Caffarena, who reports that England is in danger of a war from "the folly of our booby King [George III (1738-1820)]; Mr [William] Pitt [(1759-1806), prime minister 1783-1801] will be very popular for his conduct"; hopes the King will not be able to do without him. His time with the Marquis Durazzo. Dreams of his future house being a place of relaxation for his parents.

Sent 4 [August 1787]. Hot weather has set in, exceeding anything experienced in England, but not intolerable. Received his father's letter of 19 July [1787]; sorry to hear state of things at Chelsea have caused his parents so much trouble [pregnancy of Smith's housekeeper, Molly Standard]; expects to be in London by Michaelmas [29 September]. Concerned for fate of his friend Cooper, and "melancholy state" of [Robert] Batty, whose death would be the "first real misfortune" he ever felt. Glad his father has read [Jean-Jacques] Rousseau's [(1712-1778), philosopher] "Confessions"; their reputation for shock; other book recommendations. Notes on silk business and prices for his father's bales.