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.

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.

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.

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.

Enjoyment of his life and studies in Edinburgh. Reassures his father that there is no danger of botany engrossing his attention too much. His enjoyment of anatomy, has undertaken the Materia Medica, will attend on an apothecary's shop in the summer. Dr [John] Hope's kind attentions. Dined with Mr Gloag, account of his family and status. Dined with Dr Hutton and Dr Black. Excesses of his fellow lodgers, [John Henry] Engelhart and Mr Lubbock. Requests black silk stockings.

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.

Hopes his father received his letter of 4 August [1787]. Kindness of Messrs Malanot and Maghit; their regard for his father. His calls on cloth merchants and investigations into silk production. Mr Malanot so excessively hospitable as to make him uneasy. Invited by de Sousa, the Portuguese ambassador, to meet all the corps diplomatique. Has met a Milanese boy who is "such a treasure" he intends to bring him back to England, and is so clever he intends to "make him earn" what he costs [François Borone]. Account of a botanical excursion he made to Mount Cenis with de Sousa and other botanists and natural philosophers. Account of his arrival in Geneva, which "swarms with English people"; so far has only met Professor Zimmerman; meeting Mr Bonnet tomorrow. After Geneva will visit the glaciers, Lausanne, Berne, Basle, and Strasbourg, before reaching Paris.

Delighted by most recent letters he received from his father, including news of [Robert] Batty's recovered health, his family's pleasant stay in Chelsea, and plan for his parents to stay for longer than first planned. His hopes for Richard [Smith's brother] and business planned for him. Pleased by plan for Francis [Smith's brother] to meet him in Paris. His chief occupation in Paris is to finish examining Tournefort's herbarium, to which he has access through Broussonet's interest, to describe all the unknown plants. Directions for Francis' arrival, including dress.

[Note by Frances Smith on reverse of letter] detailing forwarding of letter and social engagements.

Translation of his comments on Scopoli, which the reviewer "quotes with approbation"; details the silence Scopoli was compelled to keep after false accusations were made against him.

[Letter incomplete: this is a cropped extract, missing text presumed destroyed]

Thanks for apples and his personal items. Recent dinners. His landlady "a very neat clever woman". He has decided to become a "Physician pupil" at St Bartholomew's, for fee of 21 or 25 guineas; its benefits, including not having to dissect.

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".

Arrangements for his and Cousin K's [Nathaniel Kindersley] visit; he means to bring Howlings [his manservant?]. He has sat twice for [John] Rising [(1753-1817), portrait and subject painter], who has much improved his portrait to satisfaction of his sister, Miss Lane, and Sir Abraham Hume. Just received notification of his unanimous election to the Upsal Academy, particuarly pleased as the Swedes can have no partiality to him. Financial arrangements._x000D_

Corrects mistake of his father's regarding passage of [Jean-Jacques] Rousseau [(1712-1778), philosopher]; of his father's opinion regarding Esther and Fanny's [Smith's sisters] reading of him.