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.
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.
Replies to Smith's letters of 22 July and 3 August [1787]. Fears he caused unneccessary alarm over [Robert] Batty's health. Reassures Smith that his mother and sister are enjoying their situation in Chelsea, guarding Smith's "treasures". Making plans to enjoy more of Smith's company on his return to England than was first anticipated. Smith's brother, Francis, on the way to meet Smith in Paris. Concerned by reports in papers of trouble in Europe. Review of their new church minister. Smith's sister, Sarah, an "excellent housewife & companion", and Fanny a "very good girl".
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.
Congratulates Smith on his return to London from Matlock, [Derbyshire]; hopes his health improved by the waters; other recommendations. Mrs [Sarah] Siddon's [(1755-1831), actress] performing for 9 nights at Norwich; he "never was so charm'd with acting"; other Norwich entertainments. Has reread [Jean-Jacques] Rousseau's [(1712-1778), philosopher] "Confessions" and "Heloise"; his opinion of the man and his work.
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]
Confident success of Smith's studies, acquaintances, and friendship with Dr [John] Hope will prevent him from being led astray by "bounders" or the "blandishments of beauty". In terms of medicine he is a "Brownist" and believes in keeping the body "braced" by cold immersions to keep it in health. Warns Smith to be wary of "strict friendships". News of Smith's brothers Richard and Francis. Decided not to re-let the College Farm at end of present lease on account of sadness of Smith being absent from the place he used to cultivate and botanise. Norwich news, including Mrs Patterson. Smith's sister, Esther, has been violently ill with a fever but now slowly recovering. Politics: news of election for sheriff, despair at state of the country. Admires the Scottish for their "zeal for the Protestant Religion" but thinks two sermons at a time "rather too much".
Received Smith's letter [of 31 December 1781]. Presumes Smith is developing his own "manners & carriage" from association with the genteel of Edinburgh. Congratulates Smith on his acquitting himself so well in dancing; they are relieved to hear he is not exhausting himself with study. Glad of Smith's acquaintance with [John Henry] Engelhart and that his other acquaintance [Lubbock] has improved. Norwich news, including recovery of health of Smith's sisters, Esther and Fanny.
Account of his journey occasioned by Tolson's "infamous conduct" [Tolson was apparently James Smith's journeyman]; difficulties of trade. Responds to Smith's letters of 22 January [1782] and 12 February [1782]. Amusements are part of Smith's education. Pleased by Smith's enquiries of his grandfather's last illness; opinions. Mr Matineau recommends Smith become a member of the Medical Society. Usefulness of Latin to compliment Smith's French and Italian.
List of plants he considers not generally known, offers to send any specimens: 'Epilobium [densum]', 'E. spicatum', 'Ononis spinosa', 'O. arvensis', 'Iris', 'Tormentilla media', 'Veronica decumbens', and 'V. praecox'.
Two pages of [James] Sowerby's account with Smith, the first dated 23 January 1794 and written by James Smith, detailing monies owed to Sowerby, and the second covering 1798-1799 and written by James Edward Smith's, detailing monies owed to Smith.
Requests tubs of herrings for his friends. He is in London for arrival of his son's [James Edward Smith] purchase of the Linnaean collections and for placing his youngest son, Richard, with an architect. Confident of the collection's value. His hopes for Richard.
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.