Lost letters. Thinks the "Augustan flattery" of Malta and Sciliy superior to the "bombasty" of Spain. His daughter [Mariamne Johnes] thanks Smith for the seeds he sent; she is now translating and if he does not finish Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] himself thinks she will be a "worthy successor". His growing enthusiasm for farming; building a "feeding house" to his own plan and wants a good weighing machine for live beasts, asks for recommendation from one of Smith's "great farmers".

Thanks for Smith's last two letters and the seeds. Thanks Smith's brother for the fearnoughts [thick woolen overcoats] which are "very acceptable for our poor"'; requests annual supply. All improving with him and his family: his daughter's [Mariamne Johnes] health better daily, as well as her wisdom, status and beauty; his wife recovering quickly from a very severe cold; his own health the best for ages, which he attributes to the wines from Smith's friend, Voght; his farm "answering amazingly"; all his sales have been successful; and if he gets his asking price for an estate he is selling he will be "clear", after which he can concentrate on translating Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler].

Believes that Lloyd, a "dirty dog of a parson" with a curacy in Norfolk, started the rumour that he was to sell Hafod to Mr Crowe.

Cold and wet weather has prevented her botanising. Glad Smith safely received microscope and box of insects. Congratulates Smith on his approaching marriage and looks forward to showing his wife [Pleasance Smith] the "romantic beauties of this place". Dr [James] Anderson now well but her father still in London.

Thanks for Smith's letter. Their new gardener from Scotland, Mr Todd, has arrived, he was previously at the Edinburgh Botanical Garden and he knows Smith by name. Dr [James] Anderson is working on her flower garden. Received letter from her aunt, Charlotte, who complains of the heat but is happy and pleased with Mrs Kindersley [probably with Smith's cousins, the Kindersleys, in India]. Her father still in London.

Sorry to hear Smith has not received the letter she sent him some time ago. Her father returned home on 1 January and bought her a "very pretty diamond beetle", some cork, and a pair of "flappers". Asks whether 'Banksia ericaefolia' has ever flowered in England. They have had "dreadful" stormy weather. Looking forward to seeing Smith and Mrs Smith at Hafod next summer.

Anxious that Smith has not received a letter she sent some time ago. They have had wet weather but she has walked every dry day and found some very "curious" lichens, which she will send. Sends Smith "very fine" melon seeds from Russia [corrected to Persia by a different hand] given her by her father, and sends Maidenhair she has found, asks if it is the one that is "so curious".

Sent [John] Davies at Cambridge a bank post bill for £45 of the money collected for [Richard] Relhan's herbarium. Printer of "Linnean Transctions" has no copy to proceed with unless Smith sends his paper on 'Mentha' or Persoon's; current volume about 160 pages; desireable but not necessary for future volumes to be of a similar size.

Encloses fungi for Smith, like him doubtful whether they are plants or not; observations. Hopes the 'Tragopogon' reach Smith in a good state.

Describes his journey from Norwich to Wales, via Worcester, Ludlow, where he saw 'Inula helenium', Bishop's Castle, New Town, and Aberystwyth. Praises setting and interior of Johnes' house. Johnes' daughter, [Mariamne Johnes], "though not above 10 years of age has taken a wonderful turn for botany & entomology"; her skills. Disappointed by botany in Wales, observing only common plants of hilly, not alpine countries, and mosses and lichens chiefly of the tree kind: 'Lichen laetevirens', 'L. glomuliferus', 'L. scrobienlatus', 'L. sylvaticus', 'L. resupinatus', 'L. plumbens' all common, found one 'L. perlatus' in fructification, 'Hypericum dubium' lately observed near Worcester is one of the common things here, thinks it overlooked for 'H. perforatum'.

The Johnes' family are the "guardian angels of the country", and consequently not liked by the neighbouring gentry, "who want to keep up all the old tyrannic notions, & never think of other people's starving"; [Thomas] Johnes lately imported a ship-load of wheat from Bristol to sell at a loss. Harvest here and all over the country is "fine"; hop-grounds of Shropshire "are beautiful". Sends 'Hypericum dubium' and 'Gnaphalium' which he took to be the true 'H. sylvaticum' but must be 'H. rectum' of "English botany".

Following his stay at Hafod intends to visit Dr Parr at Llandilo and then his aunt and her grandchildren at Bath. Lack of limestone, chalk, or gravel here leaves the flora poor, with 'Solidago virgaurea', 'Serratula tinctoria', and 'Hypericum dubium' growing prodigiously. [Andrew] Caldwell disappointed of his Guernsey expedition. Johnes' expensive taste in literature.

Notes and observations on the 'Hypericum' Smith sent from Wales, which nearly approaches 'H. perforatum' but seems clearly distinct; the 'Gnaphalium' is undoubtedly 'G. rectum'. Comparison of prices for books owned by [Thomas] Johnes' and [Andrew] Fountaine. Finest harvest almost ever remembered, with great bulk of barley, oats, peas, and beans; wheat not quite as good. Death of Lee a "great loss" to Smith. [Andrew] Caldwell's disappointment at frustrated Guernsey trip; suggests he supplies 'Fucus' from Irish coast; Caldwell's promise of supplying Irish halfpence, lists the varieties.

Congratulations on Smith's engagement; his opinion of Mr Reeve; what he has heard of "the lady" [Pleasance Smith, née Reeve]. Corrects observations he made on 'Hypericum' Smith sent from Wales. [John] Pitchford met a surgeon in Wisbech, [Cambridgeshire], who has found 'Orobanche ramosa', 'Dactylis stricata', '[Riccia] glauca' which he thinks 'Riccia natans', and 'Ulva incrassata'. [John] Stackhouse hopes Smith has received his paper on 'Hirniaria glabra'; received specimens of 'Fucus' from him and Velley via [William] Withering, including 'F. elimiathoides' and 'F. defractus'; observations. Coins.

Received a letter from Matthew on great financial distress of [Richard] Relhan, who applies to Smith and Sir Joseph Banks for a subscription to be raised for him at the Linnean Society or elsewhere; unsure of Relhan's current situation. Asks when Smith is next at Norwich; hopes for an introduction to Smith's fiancée [Pleasance Smith, née Reeve]. Asks after elections to Linnean Society, including Abbé Ricolini. Anxious to hear from [Samuel] Goodenough, who is comparing [John] Lightfoot's [‘Fucus'] specimens at Frogmore for their joint paper. [John] Stackhouse's great progress on marine plants; expects him to discover real nature of their fructification and mode of propagation; Stackhouse's paper on 'Hirnicaria glabra'. Arrangements for exchange of coins between himself and Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)].

Encloses comments from [Samuel] Goodenough on [John] Lightfoot's 'Fucus' specimens, showing that Lightfoot's work on this genus was "almost always guesswork". Expects a battle with Goodenough over 'Fucus repens' and its right to be called a species; observations. [John] Stackhouse's "accuracy & industry" in investigating marine plants, in reference to 'F. repens'. Long character description and observations on 'F. repens'.

Congratulates Smith on his marriage [to Pleasance Smith].

His plans for visiting London; difficulties caused by Smith's removal to Hammersmith. Sent [Samuel] Goodenough his last two descriptions for their paper on 'Fucus'; notes thereon, including on engraving of plates. Pleased to hear that Smith intends to go on "seriously" with the "Flora [Britannica]".

Smith's trip to Hafod, Cardiganshire, pleasant except for [Mariamne] Johnes disorder; fortunate that Smith's was there to diagnose and suggest best treatment; Mrs Woodward's cousin of 17 years old suffered from similar affliction and made long but successful recovery following Mr Potto's method.

Smith's East Anglian friends rejoice at his intention to settle in Norwich, [Norfolk]. Received 'Bellium bellioides' of [James] Crowe's garden from [John] Pitchford; a new British genus. Asks after [Dawson] Turner's admittance to the Linnean Society.

Received [William] Withering's new edition [of "An arrangement of British plants"]; "very much improved" in arrangement and matter; [Samuel] Goodenough's assistance with 'Carex', [Hugh] Davies' with mosses, and [Thomas] Velley's and [John] Stackhouse's with 'Fucus', including some not in his and Goodenough's paper, as they did not want to supersede them. Requests specimens or view of [Adam] Afzelius' American 'Fucus' species, so they can be described.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 20 January [1797]; pleased to hear of Smith's successful move from Hammersmith, [Middlesex], to Norwich, [Norfolk]. Had a letter from [Samuel] Goodenough expressing his regret at Smith's removal from London and fears of it being injurious to the Linnean Society; he himself fears Smith's "uninterrupted literary leisure" at Norwich will prevent his visits to London being as frequent as the wellbeing of the Society requires. Plans for their visit to the Smiths in Norwich.

Glad to hear of hopes of favourable outcome for [Mariamne] Johnes' lameness. There is no "greater plague than the fancied discoveries of young botanists", in reference to "minute" specimens sent by Dawson Turner of several marine plants. Writer in the "Gentleman's Magazine" for December [1796] has proposed arranging 'Fucus' with the zoophytes; in response states that 'Fucus' are "really & truly vegetables, producing seeds", and [John] Stackhouse is currently engaged in experiment of raising the larger sort from seed, and expects to succeed.

Glad Smith likes [William] Withering's new edition [of "An arrangement of British plants"]; Withering is indebted to Smith and others for the improvements; Withering's "true spirit of candour". Surprised by Smith's objection to the alteration of the system; had idea that Smith entirely approved [Carl Peter] Thunberg's system and that he intended to adopt it for his "Flora [Britannica]". Curious to see [Archibald] Menzies', not [Adam] Afzelius', 'Fucus' specimens, one appears similar to his 'Ulva decorticata'.

Plans to visit Smith in Norwich on 3 July [1797]. Directions for copies of "Linnean Transactions" vol 3. Criticises comment made by [Samuel] Goodenough in preface to their paper on 'Fucus', printed in that volume. Wished he could have attended the anniversary meeting at the Crown & Anchor. Hopes to see [Thomas] Velley at Norwich, even though he is a "botanical bore". Encloses certificate nominating [Dawson] Turner as FLS.

They will arrive in Norwich on 17 [July 1797], notwithstanding any further obstacles. Thanks for account of 'Saxifraga', which [William] Withering requested him to enquire about, who wanted to know where [William] Hudson's 'S. caespitosa' was from. Thanks for 'Scirpus multicaulis', though as yet does not see it as being truly a 'Salisburia'. Many errors in printing of his and [Samuel] Goodenough's paper on 'Fucus' in "Linnean Transactions", blames Goodenough. Hopes to meet [Thomas] Velley when they come to Norwich.

Encloses certificate proposing Lord St John as FLS. Received visit from [Thomas] Velley; discussed his and [Samuel] Goodenough's joint paper on 'Fucus'. Praises second fasciculus of [John] Stackhouse's ["Nereis Britannica"], but criticises his plan to form several genera based on microscopic observations, as Hedwig did with mosses, as being too "minute & intricate for general observers"; his own proposed criteria for separating 'Fucus' genera. Chases up copies of his and Goodenough's paper and [James] Sowerby's "Fungi".