Query regarding 'Mespilus tanacetifolia' and Smith's variety in "Florae Graecae prodromus". Reviews first volume of Lord Valentia's [George Annesley] "Travels", wishes there was more natural history and less politics. About to begin his "summer campaign" on Salisbury Plain with Sir Richard Hoare.

A packet from [Jacques-Julien de] Labillardière for Smith. Received latest editions of "Annals du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle" which include the whole of [René Louiche] Desfontaines' "Choix de plantes du Corollaire de Tournefort". Received from Mr Coxe a copper plate of [Peter Simon] Pallas from St Petersburg, will give it to Linnean Society to accompany his paper. Obtained all of [Alexander von] Humboldt's works on plants. Has been busy on Salisbury Plain, is going to Longleat, [Somerset], to visit Lord Bath [Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath (1765-1837)], says of Lady Bath "my Lady fancys [sic] herself very fond of plants but I fancy she is not". Proposes Sir Edward [Hulse] and Mr Duke as Linnean Society members.

Discusses a "curious communication" containing as "much botanical as well as physical information" [presumably a paper or figure by Richard Salisbury]. States they "are only at war with the immoral not the scientific part of "that fellow of nuisance and scandal"", concludes that [Salisbury] is now received at Soho Square [home of Sir Joseph Banks] as Lady Hamilton [(1765-1815) mistress of Lord Nelson] would be [following discovery of Salisbury stealing Sir Joseph Banks' drawings and publishing them as his own]. Discusses history of a disputed related drawing. Death of Amelia Hume. Discusses distinctness of the two species of 'Aegiphyla'.

[Letter incomplete: sections cropped, presumed destroyed]

Busy with live and [Peter Simon] Pallas' dried specimens of 'Astragali', including all of the species featured in Pallas' book on the genus, some include notes from Gmelin's herbarium. Has received large box of lemongrass in flower from [James Webbe] Tobin [(d 1814)] of Nevis, long "a desideratum among all of us". Believes it is 'Andropogon nardus' Linn. and the true 'Spikenard' of the ancients. [Richard] Salisbury's publication of his work on 'Protecea' is in "such direct opposition to Soho Square" [home of Sir Joseph Banks], as well as to the Linnean Society that it is regarded as "infamous". Discusses Linnean Society news and nominates the Marquess of Bath [Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath (1765-1837)] as new Honorary Member, says Lord Bath pointed out the differences between the two 'Mespilus'. Has specimens of the two 'Aegiphyla' for Smith, which were discussed by [Jonas] Dryander and [Charles] Konig. [William George] Maton has been with the Queen [Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III] again and Mr Hausman is making a catalogue of her herbarium.

A new paper on the Cardamom [White's 'Botanical Description and Natural History of the Malabar Cardamom'] which authorises it as a new genus. Had named it 'Garcia cardamomum' in the new edition of the London Pharmacopoeia, but [Martin] Vahl [(1749-1804)] and [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow had made prior claims on the name, asks Smith's assistance in determining a new name.

Intends to subjoin some remarks in [David] White's paper on the Malabar Cardamom explaining the name for new genus of the plant, 'Elettaria', and correcting errors in Linnaeus' 'Amomum cardamomum', describes some of them and asks Smith to examine Linnaeus' specimen. Unsure on how to proceed with publication of the note.

Received Smith's letter of September 1809, along with a letter from Olof Swartz the only communications from his European correspondents. Enjoyed Smith's "Flora Britannica". Thanks for Smith's observations on his plants numbered 708 to 803, responds with list of queries on his previously sent numbered specimens. Will send new packet of plants via Liverpool.

Sends his paper on ivy which he had previously addressed to Sir Joseph Banks. Banks believes ivy classes with "woodbind" as a "vegetable beast of prey". Repton refutes Banks' claim with his own observations on ivy's less aggressive nature, offers the paper to Smith and Linnean Society.

His paper on ivy: has further observations; asks how the drawings would be effected if it is ever printed; unsure what to make of Sir Joseph Banks objecting to the printing of Banks' letter on ivy; asks Smith to send back the other papers he sent so he can edit them.

Had intended not to ignore winter weather during his tour of Scotland but forced to stay several days with [James] Brodie due to heavy snow and to go to the coast instead of further inland. Smith praised by the botanists he meets. Brief itinerary of places he has visited: Mull, Staffa, Skye, Sutherland, Caithness. Death of "J G".

Circumstances of a "cruel war" cuts him off from Smith's "fortunate homeland, fair and free cradle of the liberal arts". Sends through the Stockholm Academy [of Sciences] his new edition of a work by "the divine Linnaeus" [probably fourth edition of "Philosophia botanica"], which he has dedicated to the Linnean Society. Nothing "more fervently desired by all good men and scholars than the resumption of trade with England"; keen to receive the latest additions to [John] Sibthorp's work edited by Smith ["Flora Graeca"].

Did not receive Smith's letter asking him to attend the Carrow Bridge Bill [in the House of Commons] until it was too late [this was a contentious scheme to build a bridge over the River Wensum at Carrow Abbey, near Norwich, for which an Act of Parliament was passed on 31 May 1809]. Apologises for being a "lazy and unprofitable associate of the Linnean Society". Has conclusively proved that 'Picus medius' is not a species and is only the young of 'Picus major'.

Uncertain where to forward [George] Don's late "lucubrations" to Smith. Finds that 'Bromus racemosus' is the most common grass in his fields, and has 'Hieracium murorum' growing upon the walls of Rose Castle; offers to send specimen to [James] Sowerby.

When reading in [George] Don's letters he is struck with "the simplicity of his style, & the acuteness of his remarks". Hopes to hear from Smith soon, wishes he would visit "this retired Philosophical spot"; one of the area's two botanists brought him specimens of 'Rubus sylvaticus' and 'Cistus heliantheum' to have planted in the garden, fears he lost his botanical standing by confusing the 'Cistus' with 'Vaccinium'.

"What an indefatigable creature is this [George] Don?". Asks if Don is right about 'Agrostis arundinacea', thinks it may be an 'Arundo epigeios'; 'Thlaspi hirtum' and 'T. incanum' appear distinct. Invites Smith to visit in August; has just discovered a botanist in his neighbourhood who is a Cambridge man and may prove more than an amateur, of which he already has two.

Constantly reminded of Smith by his "very assiduous & ever-to-be-encouraged correspondent Mr G[eorge] Don". Made to doubt his own knowledge after seeing Don's "acute observations", and wonder "where have all these things lain since the days of Adam, that no one should have noticed them before". Does not wish for Smith to be charged for any of [the Don letters and plant specimens]. Eagerly awaiting confirmation of Smith's visit.

Cover from enclosure sent by Samuel Goodenough.

Three specimens, labelled: two of "autumn flowering specimen of the 'Saxifraga' [Smith] purposed to call 'peduncularis'", and one of "'Silene alpestris' on a rock on a mountain to the east of Clova, 1795" [plants sent to Smith by Don, via Goodenough].

Still waiting to hear Smith's opinion on those plants he sent himself and via [Charles] Lyell. Numbered observations on enclosed mosses he previously sent to [Dawson] Turner, also without response: 2. [sic] a 'Grimmia', would like to name it after W Symonds, who died in Barbados; 3. a 'Grimmia', proposes name 'G. alpina' or 'G. nivalis'; 4. a 'Hypnum'; 5. another 'Hypnum'.

Numbered observations on enclosed plants: 1. 'Potentilla tridentata' [Smith annotation: "right"]; 2. 'Lychnis alpina' [Smith annotation: "right"]; 3. 'Ranunculus alpestris' [Smith annotation: "right"]; 4. a 'Silene' resembling 'S. alpestris' [Smith annotation: "the 'Silene' will be sent in my next"] ; 5. a 'Crepis' [Smith annotation: "'pulcra' HL"]; 6. 'Cochlearia groenlandica' [Smith annotation: "right HL"]; 7. the true 'Erigeron uniflorum' [Smith annotation: "right!"]; 8. a 'Saxifraga' cultivated for 2 years in strong, rich, wet soil [Smith annotation: "new, the 2 darkest specimens green specimens is cultivated in the wet soil!"]; 9. a 'Cerastium' [Smith annotation: "'Stellaria cerastoides'"]; 10. 'Fontinalis pennata' of Linnaeus [Smith annotation: "'Neckera pumila'"].

Enquires after specimens he sent some years ago as 'Spergula maxima' and 'S. arvensis' [Smith annotation: "both 'arvensis'"].

Two small specimens, labelled "2".

Responds to queries in Smith's letter of 8 September [1809]: will send 'Lamium' seeds; has found no evidence of 'Lychnis alpina' being planted, despite rarity, difficulty of ascertaining how many seeds it proudces, describes similar instances with 'Gentiana nivale', 'Gnaphalium sylvaticum', 'Sonchus caeruleus', and 'Hieracium molle'.

Numbered remarks and observations on plants, headed 18 May [probably date of Smith's reply to Don's letter of 3 April 1809]: 1. will try to identify the 'Ranunculus'; 2. 'Saxifraga' new species; 3. 'Potentilla' new species; 4. 'Grimmia' new species. Obervations on 'Ranunculus alpestres'; 'Crepis pulchra'; species of 'Silene'; 'Cochlearia groenlandica'. Observations on numbered specimens in his last letter: 8. argues case for naming new 'Saxifraga' 'S. peduncularis'; 9. "certainly not 'Stellaria cerastoides' but a 'Cerastium'.

Will send seeds of 'Spergula maxima'.

Sends roots and runners of a grass called 'Fiorin' which [William] Richardson has written on with intention of making it a valuable animal foodstock, suspects it may be 'Agrostis stolonifera'. Has been bound to his bedroom since beginning of January. A vast fish, 55 feet [16.7m] long and 12 feet [3.7m] in circumference, that was washed up on the Orkney Islands is a cartilaginous fish and not a whale, as was supposed.