Sending Smith smaller than planned parcel of plants via Mandrot, including series of specimens and gradations of 'Saxifraga hirculus'. Still weak from his "last terrible illness" and a pain in his chest which he is treating with Letters water and milk. Rearranged his herbarium so looking forward to receiving Smith's promised Botany Bay plants. Hopes to build a greenhouse for exotic plants to spite those who keep theirs to themselves. Relates anecdote of a Berne apothecary who came to his garden and passed pots of 'Turritis alpina' and 'Arenaria liniflora' only to be in ecstasy at pot of 'Pelargonium radula', almost ancient in English gardens but entirely unknown in Switzerland, was not impressed with herbarium specimen of 'Arenaria saxatilis' Linnaeus and mocked his one specimen of 'Ixia'; he is a good chemist but a "wretched blunderer in Botany" and though he has much greater herbarium and garden he insisted a plant he [Davall] knew to be 'Saxifraga sarmentosa' was 'Martynia perennis', a dispute in which [Joseph von] Jacquin also became involved.

Has three seedlings of 'Morina persica' and will send every seed to England to "replace this fine (lost?) plant ex HK". Has a place where he successfully winters 'Gerania'. Requests via [John] Fairbairn seeds of 'Pelargonium cordatum', 'Pelargonium betulinum', and 'Lamium loevigatum' at Chelsea. Would like to establish communications with [Adam] Afzelius.

His parcel much more considerable than he intended and includes a box of lichens, lichens listed on sixth folio with some comments. Will soon send mosses for [James] Dickson and seeds for [William] Aiton not in "Hortus Kewensis". Letter signed 12 May 1793.

Note by Davall letter received 31 [May 1793]. Resonds to Davall's letter of 5 April 1793: congratulations on birth of son; grieved by state of Davall's health, approves of taking 'Cinchona' and recommends red port wine for costiveness.

Success of his lectures: zoological had seventeen subscribers and botanical twenty-four, including eight or nine ladies "of distinguished rank & elegance", they are beginning to be celebrated so another year would be better attended, and enjoys delivering them. His publications are bringing him some money. His "Sketch of a Tour on the Continent" now printing after having held it back from diffidence and fear of altercations for "I must & will shew myself the friend of truth & humanity".

Receiving good things from François [Borone] in Sierra Leone, he proposes to return next December. Reports on Mr Este, who is very friendly and came to his lectures, believes he was distressed and ill used by Captain Topham and went abroad, but now editor of "The Courier", "a very democratic paper, but a very clever one", and he is going to Pavia soon. If he earns enough money and the political situation is quiet hopes to take a trip on the continent, but would contemplate going with a young man as a "bear-leader" to Italy.

"English Botany" after no.24 is being enlarged to six plates monthly and charge to half a crown. Justifies making a profit by the trouble it gives and inclusion of original material. Nearly 900 are sold and last month owned it as his in the "Gentleman's Magazine". Davall's accounts with [James] Sowerby and [James] Dickson, asks if he wants Dickson's "Hotus siccus Britannicus". Pleased Davall now has Dillenius' ["Historia muscorum"] though despairs of finding him [Paulo] Boccone's [(1633-1704) "Museo di piante rare" (1697)]. 'Celsia linearis' Jacq now common in gardens, it is 'Hemimeris'. There are only fifty copies of [Richard] Salisbury's "Macaroni" book, as [Jonas] Dryander calls it [probably "Icones stirpium rariorum" (1791)] but catalogue of his garden will do him much honour ["Prodromus stirpium in Horto ad Chapel Allerton vigentium" (1796)]. No news of Duchess of Devonshire [Georgiana Cavendish (1757-1806)] yet.

[Note in Davall's hand] "wrote in haste 4 June about sending me "English Botany" &c.".