Points out errors with the 'Pulmonaria' in "English botany" no.32, which he previously sent Smith specimens of; lists synonyms. Offers to write a paper on subject for "Linnean Transactions".

Thanks Smith for seeds from Sumatra and Sierra Leone. Sorrow at death of [William] Aiton [(1731-1793), director of Kew Gardens, 1759-1793]; his character.

Her 'Strelitzia' and an old 'Amarylis' no one knows anything of about to flower. Smith sent too many copies of his more books than she claimed: in addition to first large volume of his ["Icones] pictae [plantarum rariorum]". Has [William] Woodville's [(1752-1805), physician] work of medicinal plants ["Medical botany..."], it is beautifully coloured. Disordered by this week's tempestuous weather.

Suitable for Smith and his friend to visit on Tuesday, hopes they will also go to Bulstrode [Park, Buckinghamshire, home of Duke of Portland]. Will manage herself the arrangements for Governor [Arthur] Phillip [(1738-1814), first governer of New South Wales] to visit.

Her Sierra Leone bulbs are now in flower and invites Smith and [Jonas] Dryander to inspect them and [James] Sowerby to draw them. She has been extremely ill but is now recovering.

Sends specimens of 'Lagerstroemia' and 'Tamarindus'. Sorry Smith was away when four or five of her Sierra Leone bulbs came into flower; no one scientific saw them but [James] Sowerby took drawing and she hopes it can be ascertained whether they are 'Hamanthus' or 'Amaryllis', and if Sowerby can replicate the brilliant colour may be worth place in Smith's large work ["Icones pictae plantarum rariorum..."]. Recovered from her inflammatory fever and bilious complaints caused by intense hot weather, her family and labourers suffered the same.

Condolences on death of Smith's brother. Invites Smith and the Sierra Leone travellers [Adam Afzelius and François Borone] to visit when suitable. Another of her Sierra Leone bulbs is flowering. Sending Smith a "little pig" from her farm.

Offers her Westminster Hospital proxy to Smith's preferred candidate; her first consideration is to give it "for a person thoroughly qualified for the office". Her stomach complaints have been bad since visit by Smith and the [Harvey] Spraggs' but she is now taking a draught prescribed by Dr Freeman and hopes it will clear the "billious sort of obstruction". Sorry to hear that [Adam] Afzelius is returning to Africa but hopes it will advantageous for him, will send him dimensions of the matts she wanted made.

Filled in her Westminster Hospital proxy for Smith's candidate just before Mrs [Elizabeth] Weddell and [William Fitzwilliam, 4th Earl] Fitzwilliam [(1748-1833)] both solicited it for Mr Moore. Sent Smith flower of 'Malpighia'.

Sends small specimen of new East India plant in flower, from seed, not like any 'Monandria' plant that Grieg, her gardener, has seen.

[Smith annotation: "'Lopezia'"]

Spent Christmas at Sir Alexander Hume's in Hertfordshire. Hopes to have his usual annual party of [Samuel] Goodenough, [Thomas] Marsham, and [Jonas] Dryander to his house next week, with Woodward's turkey acting as his ambassador; comments on turkeys being introduced from America to south of France by Jesuits. Asks for the Woodwards assistance in finding the tale in verse of the City mouse & country mouse" [note pasted to reverse of letter, in Smith's hand, with reference to Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift]. He is "well pleased" with his royal pupils, who are "very diligent & apt"; returning after 4 June. Currently engaged in zoological lectures in London, has 16 subscribers, including Lord Stormont. Work on his "Tour" proceeded well at Frogmore.

Comments on 'Woodwardia'; on good grounds. Plans to figure 'Fucus abrotanifolius' in his uncoloured work. Error by [James] Sowerby in his figure of 'Cardamine impatiens' in "English botany". Praises beauty of [Edward] Donovan's [(1768-1837), natural historian] insect plates but the letterpress is "not scientific"; he is an "Irish compiling sort of adventurer in literature", previously published a "very bad" sixpenny botanical magazine. [Samuel] Goodenough still thinks the 'Fucus' Woodward mentioned is 'F. palmetta' of Gmelin.

Asks after new numbers of "Icones pictae" and "Spicilegium botanicum". Approves of enlarged "English botany" [from 3 to 6 plates per number], thinks it will increase sales amongst botanists though the number ordered for Bungay has fallen from 5 to 2, previously bought "as pretty pictures".

Expects to hear from [Samuel] Goodenough on 'Fucus palmetta' following his examination of the Linnaean and Sir Thomas Frankland's specimens, asks Smith's opinion of the Cromer 'Fucus' resembling 'F. furcellatus' and Gmelin's 'F. rotundus'. [William] Withering at Lisbon; he had been extremely ill with pulmonary complaints but recovered; happy to hear Smith has approved Withering's 'Agaric' species but the 'Fucus' are a bad copy of [William] Hudson's and thinks Velley should have helped him better.

Discusses origin of turkeys in Europe. Unable to find verse version of the "City & Country Mouse" story. Warns Smith not to fall in love with Princess Elizabeth [(1770-1840), daughter of George III]; rumoured that Dr J Willis did and thought it reciprocal; finds it odd that she, who is "least handsome", has been "most admired"; rumoured that Smith's sister was offered Miss [Fanny] Burney's [(1752-1840), novelist and Second Keeper of the Robes to the Queen] place but refused it. Asks how Smith is to publish his ferns.

Sends remainder of Bulliard's ["Histoire des champignons"] and text, finally sent by L'Héritier; Woodward's account. Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)] enquires after Bungay tradesmen's tokens or halfpence, for her collection. None of his works ready for two months; busy on his "Tour". Sales of "English botany" have increased since the enlargement. Did not review [William] Withering's book, and confirms he has only ever reviewed three: Berkenhout's "new edition" [of "Clavis Anglica linguae botanicae" (1789)], Curtis' "Magazine", and a pamphlet on silk worms, all in "Analytical Review"; does not intend to write any others.

Can easily see how Princess Elizabeth's [(1770-1840), daughter of George III] "winning condescension [and] looks so full of soul" could be mistaken by "a fool or a coxcomb" as a passion for himself; admits he is flattered by the attention she pays to his lessons. Lady [Amelia] Hume found the "City & Country Mouse" in Swift's works. His paper on ferns is for the Turin Academy as thanks for making him one of their 20 foreign members, in place of Franklin and in company of Priestly and Herschell. His picture is being drawn for the Exhibition, for Sir Abraham Hume, he is to have a frond of 'Woodwardia radicans' in his hand.

Sends his Matlock, [Derbyshire], lichens, and 'Convallaria verticillata', from Scotland. Amused by reports of his sister being offered Miss [Fanny] Burney's [(1752-1840), novelist and Second Keeper of the Robes to the Queen] place [in attendance on the Queen], which are without foundation; "you have no idea what tittle tattle is at Windsor".

Thanks for Bulliard's plates ["Histoire des champignons"]; comments on contents, including 'Clathus cancellatus' and 'Lycoperdon stellatum', which resembles his 'L. recolligens'. His fears that the "present horrible state of France would have put all literature out of the question" have not been realised. Wishes to know L'Héritier's role as a politician, believes he initially took an active part. Shocked by "murder of poor Louis" [Louis XVI (1774-1792), King of France], though it is a mercy for him considering his "uncertain situation". Sees no point in going to war and believes the country is averse to it, regardless of what ministers say.

Unable to provide Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)] with Bungay tradesmen's halfpence as they were not produced on account of high cost. Thanks for lichen and 'Convallaria verticillata' specimens; has Smith's specimen of 'Pyrola uniflora' from Mount Cenis. Hopes to see Miss Lane's drawing of Smith at the exhibition in town; admires her drawing of Smith's eldest sister. Discusses further issues of Bulliard's plates, longs to see L'Héritier's "Geranium".

Requests Smith to add note to his account of 'Lycoperdon recolligens' [from paper on 'Lycoperdon'] to take in information from Bulliard. Does not expect to be at expense for the "Zoology & Botany of New Holland".

[Letter incomplete: lower half of second folio cropped, text immediately following interruption suggests this was the note on 'Lycoperdon recolligens']

No longer possible for Woodward to stay during his visit for Linnean Society anniversary meeting as his mother, youngest sister, and brother from Yorkshire are visiting at the same time. Asks if Woodward saw letter in last month's "Gentleman's Magazine" criticising his specific character of 'Geranium lucidum' in "English botany"; his response to appear in May issue in which he will also own the work. "English botany" to start including 'Cryptogamia', but not fungi. Has Woodward's drawing of 'Agaric' from [James] Sowerby.

Correcting the press of Woodward's 'Lycoperdon' paper; finds it amusing, though doubts Charles Bryant [(d 1799)] will. "Great loss" of [William] Aiton [(1731-1792), director of Kew Gardens] to Kew, his son [William Townsend Aiton] "clever & civil". Fourth fasciculus of "Icones pictae" out this year. Still working on his "Tour", some already printing. Feels better this winter than he has for many years.

Details of his journey and pending visit to London. Expects [Charles] Bryant [(d 1799)] to be "very angry" on reading his paper [on 'Lycoperdons'], expects an attack in the "Gentleman's Magazine". Saw the attack on Smith's 'Geranium lucidum' of "English botany" in "Gentleman's Magazine"; unsure who the author is and attempts to apologise for him. Approves of "English botany" including cryptogams but warns against figuring too many for fear of "disgusting the florists & the ladies". Hopes to send [James] Sowerby 'Cineraria palustris' and others from Yarmouth; doubts whether the drawing of 'Agaric' is the 'Clypeolarias' of Bulliard, as [William] Withering refers to it. Visits from Sir John Rous [1st Earl of Stradbroke (1750-1827), politician] who grows exotic trees in his plantations, does not study them scientifically but knows their names in "Hortus Kewensis".

Thanks for Smith's hospitality in London. Details of his return journey via Huntingdonshire, including Ripton, Huntingdon, and Bury, where he dined with Sir Thomas Cullum and saw 'Holosteum umbellatum' adorning several thatched houses and 'Vicia lathyroides' near the town. At Cambridge saw 'Arabis turrita' on walls of St John's College. Will shortly be at Yarmouth, [Norfolk], from whence he will send [James] Sowerby 'Cinceraria palustris' and 'Convolvulus soldanella'. At Cambridge found [Richard] Relhan "quite crazy"about the "conjuror of Chalgravis" fern, inserted in appendix to "Flora Cantabrigiensis" under name of 'Acidium from Maller's "Systema"; observations including discussion of letter by Sir Joseph Banks on subject.

Thanks for Woodward's letters of 15 May [1793] and 24 May [1793]. He and [James] Sowerby request specimens of 'Cineraria palustris', 'Convolvulus soldanella', 'Atriplex pedunculata', 'A. portulacoides', and 'Trifolium suffocatum'. He and [Richard] Relhan have conversed on the "diseased anemone". Woodward's additional observations on 'Fucus hypoglossum' will be read shortly at Linnean Society. Message from [Samuel] Goodenough regarding "doctrine of diaecious 'Fucus'" and Woodward's account of Solander's manuscript.

"Natural History of New Holland" delayed by quarrel between Shaw and Nodder; hopes latter will be "got rid of, but it requires some dexterity". Unanimously elected to the Upsala Academy. Asks for Woodward to send wild 'Crataegus torminalis' in flower at Ditchingham. Hopes Woodward will approve of what he wrote of "poor [William] Hudson" in June number of "English botany", "he has been too much run down". Comments on ladies' fashion for "pads", with small ink sketch. Read Woodward's letter on 'Ruscus' with pleasure.

Has been at Norwich for some time and was at Yarmouth, [Norfolk], where he saw the "puritanic brown locks" of Lilly Wigg [(1749-1828), botanist] and [Dawson] Turner. Hopes Woodward will be visiting Norwich during the Assize week, otherwise proposes to meet at Dr [Nicholas] Gwyn's.

Urges Smith to contrive a way to visit him at Bungay. Glad Smith met [Dawson] Turner at Yarmouth, [Norfolk]; a "very clever young man [who] will make an excellent botanist"; comments on Lilly Wigg's appearance [(1749-1828), botanist]. Dry weather spoiled the 'Stratiotes' he promised [James] Sowerby. Suffered a strong "fever fit" for several hours last night.

Sends 'Orobanche ramosa' to [James] Sowerby after rediscovering it, only previously figured in "Hortus Romanus". Recovering from fever prevalent in this area. Asks after Smith's activities in East Anglia. Eager to see "Natural History of New Holland". [David Elisha] Davy of Yoxford, [Norfolk], to send Smith specimen of a 'Linum', the same as his 'L. angustifolium' but for Smith to determine whether it is that of Linnaeus'; observations. Sending certificate nominating Davy as a FLS; favoruably compares his botanical skills to those "nomenclators" who memorise names and think it makes them a botanist. Comments on a review in the "Monthly Review" of a work of Smith's and points out errors in review.

Asks if Smith has heard from François [Borone] by the ship just arrived from Sierra Leone; thinks the bad news come from there is from "some warm friend of the slave trade". Notes for Sowerby on drawing the 'Orobanche ramosa'; also sending 'Hieracium umbellatum', 'Epilobium montanum', 'Picris echioides', 'Hedypnois hieracioides' [William] Hudson, 'Achillea ptarmica', all from Bath Hills, and fruit of 'Crataegus torminalis' and 'Rhamnus frangula' of which flowers and foliage sent some time since.