Relates merits of his son, [David Pennant], believes he would be a worthy member of the Linnean Society. They are both coming to London shortly. Offers Dr [George] Shaw a specimen of the three-toed sloth for the British Museum, it is better than [Frederick] Nodder's description in "Natural Miscellany".

Hopes Smith has returned from Matlock, [Derbyshire], in good health. Status of his "Outlines of the Globe": requests birth year and birthplace of [Georg Eberhard] Rumphius, and information on [John] Clayton, the "Virginian florist" [(1694-1773) English plant collector in Virginia]; has only the Malay and other Indian islands to complete. Asks if it is true that Dr Blagden has been knighted [Sir Charles Blagden (c 1748-1820) physician and secretary of the Royal Society].

Has finished his "supreme opus", the 14th volume of his "Outlines of the Globe", covering islands of Sumatra, the Philippines, Spice Islands, New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland, and New Holland [Australia]. Discusses [Georg Eberhard] Rumphius: unsure of the details of his death and believes his drawings were stolen by a nephew of [François] Valentijn for his own work ["Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën", a history of Dutch East India Company and countries of the Far East, the drawings were actually lost in a fire and Rumphius wrote much of the natural history of Valentijin's work]. Requests prints of plants for his manuscripts.

His work on Pyrennean flora; asks for comparisons with Linnean herbarium, etc.

Thanks for "Flora Lapponica" and [Olof] Swartz' "Prodromus", has since acquired his "Observations". Fears everything in France will stop except bloodshed [France went to war with Austria in April 1792], wishes L'Héritier was in England. Wants to delay purchasing [Antonio] Cavanilles' "Monadelphiae" for its 'Gerania' content as L'Héritier is also publishing on same. Encloses specimen of 'Anemone nemorosa', following erroneous identification as 'Polypodium trifoliatum' by Mr Burrel in last "Gentleman's Magazine", has observed that the "appearances" on the underleaf are not insect eggs but fungi of 'Peziza' genus, asks Smith to examine and propose names.

Specimen of 'Anemone nemorosa'.

Asks to borrow Smith's folio copy of [Johann] Hedwig's "Historia muscorum" for the catalogue of plants he is compiling for Nichols' "History of Leicestershire", the previous editions are not proper to reference from. Reflects on his youthful enthusiasm for 'Musci' and small plants inspired by [John] Ray's "Synopsis" and his exchanges with [William] Hudson. Visited late Earl of Bute's "very rich" botanical library, 300 feet long conservatory, and four acre garden [John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute (1713-1792)]. Asks for L'Héritier's current location.

Thanks for election as FMLS, praises Smith's "Introductory Discourse" although expected to see a mention of General Compte [Luigi Ferdinando] de Marsigli [(1658-1730)], founder of the Academy of Bologna. Has commissioned his friend Scassi to acquire all the new medical publications whilst he is London. [L'Abbé Gregoire] Fontana is translating Smith's "Discourse" into Italian.

Smith's additional remarks on his "Introductory Discourse" came too late to be included in [L'Abbé Gregoire] Fontana's translation of it. Introduces Dr Valli in advance, who is walking from Pavia to London. Description of [Luigi] Galvani's discoveries in animal electricity [(1737-1798), Italian physician]. Appreciation of Smith's biography of [Giovanni Antonio] Scopoli and its exposure of the slander surrounding Scopoli.

Asks Smith to send on specimens of Kew plants he had promised to Rev [John] Stuart.

By Smith's request sending specimens of West Indian plants including from 'Urtica' and 'Epidendrum', surprised to hear from Sir Joseph Banks that species of the latter have been flowering at Kew. His definition for separating 'Epidendrum' and associated genera 'Limodorum'. [Richard] Salisbury's observations on 'Cypripedium' are "ingenious", further discussion of the genus with reference to 'Cypripedium calceolus' and 'Cypripedium bulbosum', compliments Smith's coloured figure of same and wishes that all of the 'Gynandrae' were similarly illustrated. Does not agree with [Carl Peter] Thunberg's idea to place 'Orchideous' plants in the 'Diandria' order but agrees with [Johann von] Schreber's arrangement of 'Arum'. Preoccupied with his work on "Icones". Apologises for his error in characterisation of 'Canella alba' [in his paper for "Linnean Transactions"], only one loculament is filled with seeds.

Received Smith's letter of May 1791 and "Reliquiae rudbeckianae" through [Carl Peter] Thunberg. Directions for Smith to acquire copy of his "Observationes botanicae". Thanks for Smith's observations on the 'Carex' specimens he sent, recently found the true 'Carex brizoides' which makes 'Carex hudsonii' a new species. Smith unanimously elected as a foreign member of Swedish Academy of Sciences. Asks if his 'Psychotria pavetta' is the same as 'Ixora americana' or 'Ixora alba' [Smith has annotated "no" against both], explains his doubts. Asks if Smith has had any news of [Adam] Afzelius in Sierra Leone, heard report of an attack on the settlement.

He has had a relapse since arriving but now well, and as the waters do him "great service" will stay for another 8 or 10 days. Asks that Sowerby send [Edmund] Davall copies of second numbers of both "Icones pictae" and "Spicilegium botanicum". Sending box of plants for "English botany", including: 'Lithospermum officinale', 'Cardamine impatiens', 'Aquilegia vulgaris', 'Arenaria verna', 'Thlaspi montanum', 'Polygala vulgaris', 'Lysimachia nemorum', 'Cistus helianthemum', 'Euphrasia officinalis', 'Poterium sanguisorba', 'Galium', 'Byssus aurea'; brief notes on characteristics of each.

Apologises for delay in sending L'Héritier's works, "but the fault is not in me but in the French revolution, which has turned the head of our friend [...] & made him turn tail upon us botanists". Other European publications, including by Cavanilles and Labillardière. Sends "Flora Lapponica" and Swartz' "Prodromus".

Has just been at Windsor to look at the Queen's [Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818)] herbarium, formerly [John] Lightfoot's. Hopes Pulteney will come to London this spring.

Returned from Matlock, [Derbyshire], 4 days ago in "perfect health". Read over Pulteney's Linnean Society paper with "great pleasure". Intends to go into the country for 6 weeks in a day or two. Sending second number of his "Spicilegium botanicum"; account of money owing. Still awaiting the letterpress for L'Héritier's plates, though their "excellence [...] disarms one's anger". Sorry to hear that [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert is still an invalid. About to go to Windsor to arrange [John] Lightfoot's herbarium and occasionally instruct the Queen [Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818)] in botany. L'Héritier has written for Gaertner's second volume for them.

Thanks for Pulteney's letter of 25 July [1792], he is "quite well & stout again". Sending books, difficulties of getting books from Strasbourg now. Account of money owing. Grandmaison served himself just as he did Pulteney, knows little of him. Bulliard's "Fungi" complete and an excellent book, but doubts getting it from France. Going to Norfolk next week, to return end of September. Offers to acquire Hedwig's "Historia Muscorum".

De Ratte, secretary of the Académie des Sciences of Montpellier, informs Smith he has been elected a Correspondent Member. Broussonet has appended his own communication.

Sends book for Dr Forster. Thanks for his father's advice about Frogmore and will not make use of the invitation [to teach the Queen and Princesses botany]. Sends receipts for his father's, Francis', and John's Sierra Leone shares. His father's ticket won £20. His brother Richard applied to [Robert] Batty [(1763-1849), apothecary] for 3 guineas whilst he was out, has since given instruction not to lend him any money. Account of his lectures: 17 pupils, of which 15 pay, but no ladies; hopeful of their "gaining ground". [Jonas] Dryander thinks it a good thing the King of Sweden has died. Lady [Amelia] Hume warns that the French refugees about Richmond, [Surrey], risk losing compassion of the public by their "rejoicing at Tippoo Saib's escape or victory" [Tipu Sultan (1750-1799), King of Mysore 1782-1799, in conflict with British forces at this time]. Sends "English botany" and pamphlet on French agriculture in their present "dreadful state".

His plans for visiting Norwich; will attend marriage of Miss Haworth in Enfield first. Account of his time at Frogmore [organising the Queen's herbarium]: saw the Queen [Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818)] only briefly as they were "taken up with the camp & the Duchess of York"; he has been invited again in October; his opinion of Windsor Castle and the court; did not visit the camp on account of the "hurry & heat" and a difficulty he lay under with the Queen's housekeeper.

Lady Rockingham has acquired the works of the late Bishop of St Asaph, Dr [Jonathan] Shipley [(1714-1788)], with which he is much delighted. Commends the subscription to assist Poland, "even 2 of Mr [Edmund] Burke's [(1730-1797), politician] toad-eaters here applaud it".

Dr Nicolaus Törner coming to London to contribute to Sir Joseph Banks' "Natural History". Copies of Smith's "Reliquiae rudbeckianae" have remain unsold in bookseller's, offers to return them. Sending as many as possible of [Carl] Thunberg's "Dissertations" for Smith and [Richard] Salisbury; unable to obtain [Olof] Swartz "Prodromus". Sorry Smith did not receive parcel of books and dissertation he sent in 1789. Details of money owing between himself, Smith, and Thunberg. Prophesied that Smith would be worthy owner of Linnaean collections; glad to see this realised with the recently published ["Linnean Transactions"]; praises Smith's "Introductory Discourse"; eager to receive new edition of "Flora Lapponica". Will ensure Smith is elected to Royal Society of Uppsala.

Has arrived safely but owing to the confusion of the colony they do not have anywhere to dry plants or write observations, so prevented from collecting, which is disappointing. Has sent some bulbs and seeds, including 'Hamanthus mulliflorus' and 'Amaryllis ornata'. Happy to have [François] Borone as his travel companion. Requests to be sent [Joseph] Ga[e]rtner's "de Seminibus", Schreber's "Genera Plantarum", and the "Vegetable Kingdom" of Gmelin's System. If not for the efforts of John Clarkson [abolitionist and 1st Governor of Free Town] he would have tired of Sierra Leone. Comments on the effort Clarkson will have to make to achieve his "laudable intentions". Cannot send [Thomas] Marsham any insects for the same reasons he has not been able to collect plants.