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Encloses a pamphlet he has just printed [possibly "A dissertation on the sexes of plants" (1786)], requests Woodward's opinion. Requests accurate observations for Woodward's theory that 'Orobance [ramosa]' and 'Cuscuta' render barren the plants they parasitically attach to. Observations, from Linnaean herbarium, on 'Agrostis australis' and 'Milium lendigerum' being the same. Notes on 'Bromus erectus', 'Bromus racemosus', and 'Sisymbria murale' in Linnaeus' herbarium. Has learnt how to decipher most of Linnaeus' herbarium marks and has gone through the whole with Sir Joseph Banks.

[Botanical notes on address label on 'Cerastium latifolium', 'Sedum villosum', and 'Spergula pentandra', in Smith's hand]

Sends specimens for [Samuel] Goodenough, including: 'Orobance ramosa' near Bungay; 'Lobelia urens' Shute Common, Devon; 'Galium pusillum' Matlock, Derbyshire; 'Melampyrum arvense' near Norwich, Norfolk; 'Marchantia conica' Bungay; 'Lycopodium alpinum' Old Man of Coniston, Lancashire, the hill evidently a former volcano; and 'Astriplex pedunculata'. Sends 'Orobance ramosa' for Sir Joseph Banks, [James] Dickson, and [William] Curtis and will send Banks Norwich specimen of 'Bromus arvense' when found. Sends Smith possible variety of 'Ervum tetraspermum'.

Examined [Albrecht von] Haller's plates and descriptions according to [William] Hudson's reference; notes. List of his Hudson desiderata: 'Poa alpinia', 'Juncus filiformis', 'Elatine alsinastrum', 'Orchis corioptore', 'Salyrium hircitrum', 'Carex limosa', and 'Carex strigosa' are marked. Sends Smith specimens of 'Marchantia conica'. His bookseller, T Miller, reports from Portland sale that lots sold cheap, that Da Costa was a great buyer, and Royal Admiral shells sold for £1 6s 9d each.

He has taken all his examinations and taking his degree tomorrow; pleased with Leyden and friendliness of [David] van Royen [(1727-1799)] and [Frédérique Louis] Allamand [(1735-1803)], but the garden is inferior to many in England. Amsterdam garden neater, but [Nicolaas Laurens] Burman [(1734-1793)] is evasive and "shelters his ignorance under his professional dignity". Spends his mornings with Royen looking over his herbarium, his uncle's, Herman's, [Paolo] Boccone's [(1633-1704)], and Ranwolf's; 'Conium royeni' is 'Caucalis daucoides'. Royen recently resigned Leyden botanical chair, reserving use of the garden, and wanted [Carl Peter] Thunberg to succeed him, but a young man of inferior skill was appointed instead [Sebald Justinus Brugmans (1763-1819), physician and botanist].

'Eryngium campestre' and 'Menyanthes nymphioides' only worthwhile wild plants seen so far. Dismisses his dissertation "de generatione" as "an exercise & a sketch". Disappointed by Amsterdam booksellers; his opinion of that town and Leyden. His future movements. Difficulty of finding Leers' "Flora".

Remarks on Smith's comments in his previous letter on Amsterdam and Leyden; wonders whether [Nicolaas Laurens] Burman [(1734-1793)] reminded Smith of [William] Hudson. Compliments Smith's literary style in his letters and translations. Has failed to find 'Orobance ramosa' in hemp fields again. Books to acquire, including Leers' "Flora", Schreber's "de Phasco", [Schmidel's] "Dissertio de Buxkaumia", and Bulliard's plates ["Histoire des champignons" (1791-1812)]. News of mutual East Anglian friends. Asks if Broussonet intents to publish any more of "Icthyology".

Wrote to his father from Rotterdam; account of their journey from there to Leyden. Account of his degree examinations, about which he was anxious, but not as much as before his election to the Royal Society. Politeness of the people. His difficulties at a card party at Professor Allamand's, to whom he was recommended by Sir Joseph Banks. His companions, living arrangements, and cleanliness and houses of the town.

Finished his academical business this morning, before the "formidable appearance" of the "great wigs". Details of his future movements towards the Hague, Antwerp, and Brussels; feels some reluctance at leaving Holland and Leyden, "there is something very delightful [...] of being in a country of universal toleration & unbounded liberty"; discusses the Protestant reformers who sheltered here. Asks to be remembered to "all the dear dog-holians".

Poem in tribute to a "most belov'd recess/ Dog-hole" [possibly a London Unitarian chapel].

Received his father's letter. Sorry to hear of John's [brother of Smith] disappointment but glad to hear of scheme for him to go into trade. Had various intentions of where to go but now intends to spend all his time in Paris, especially as Broussonet has so many connections. His possession of Linnaean collections of more use to him here than in England, as here everybody looks to him for information and eager to communicate; feels danger of becoming too vain. Not pleased with the national character here.

Excursions: disappointed by Versailles gardens; saw the King [Louis XVI (1754-1793)] and family; horror at the "daubing of the ladies cheeks"; visited Marechal de Nouailles, whose companion, Mr Le Breton, is translating his two pamphlets into French; a hunt by the King; coffin of James II. [Richard] Salisbury has returned to England.

Received his father's letter of 24 August [1786], has not yet received Lady Jernegan's packet. Has now given up remaining in Paris and intends to go to Montpelier with Broussonet, and then on to Genoa to visit the Marquis Durazzo and Turin, and return through Switzerland before returning to Paris, to arrive in London in April. Paris "wonderfully like" Edinburgh in some respects. Beauty of some of the places in Paris; notes that the marble statues are not damaged by the populace; no "perfectly pleasing morsel of architecture"; odd monuments to monarchs; picture collections. Asks for news of the Lord Chancellor, said to be in Paris. Hopes his father not displeased at criticism of his work in "Critical Review" for June; he is flattered by it.

Received Smith's letters of 21 August and 13 September 1786. Hopes for personal and professional knowledge Smith will take from his tour; confident Smith will not waste his time, health, or money. His principle Italian correspondents for Smith to call upon. Cousin Thomas Wordsworth died recently. Dr Cooper struggling to find success. Pleasure of Smith's poetry. Detailed news of the Norwich election, including a riot. A fungus grew under the lilac tree, which under [John] Pitchford's advice they have buried in dry earth until Smith's return. News of the Lord Chancellor; in very bad health.

Pleasure at reading Mrs Howorth's "enigmatically written" letter. His change of plans, now journeying to Montpelier, Genoa, and possibly Rome and Naples, before returning to London via Paris and Switzerland. Account of his "most agreeable jaunt" to the gardens and lands of Marquis de Giardin and tomb of [Jean-Jacques] Rousseau [(1712-1778), philosopher] and surrounding area, including an unfinished temple to modern philosophy, Rousseau's hut, and other monuments; they met Rousseau's widow, who showed them Rousseau's death mask. French literature and English translations; suggests Mrs Howorth's brother, Mr Lane, compiles a selection of French literature for schools, on plan of Enfield's speaker. Asks if Miss Louisa Lane has forgotten him [Mrs Howorth's sister].

Responds to Mrs P's letter. Religion "seems to sit very easy upon every body here"; disinclined to judge other people's conduct on the subject, less charity for those who have "scarcely any true principles of religion [and] in private affect to despise all those who have more principle or diffidence". His hatred of Abbés, though knows some exceptions, shocked that people entrust the education of their children to them, when their celibacy means these men cannot be anything but dissolute.

General dislike of the ladies of Paris and their painted faces; expects to fall in love with the first English woman he meets on landing, actually felt himself in danger from an English woman he saw in Paris. Nuns who visit the sick make up for the Abbés. Enquired after medical education abroad but not impressed with French system.

To Mr [Pitchford]: looking over Tournefort's herbarium, has already described 50 new species of oriental plants from it.

Recent letter exchanges. Extension of Smith's journey to include Rome and Naples, where he has letter of introduction to Sir William Hamilton [(1731-1803)], ambassador to Naples. Warns Smith against taking a boat from Marseilles to Genoa or Genoa to Naples, for fear of shipwrecks, pirates, and quarantines. Introductions for Genoa and Milan. Warns against dangers of Vesuvius, subterranean journies, and extravagant pursuits of curiosity.

Account of his and Dr Younge's journey from Paris to Montpelier, via Lyons, including details of people they stayed with, inns, and country. Account of their activities in Montpelier, staying with Professor Broussonet, father of Paris friend [Pierre Marie Auguste Broussonet].

Thanks his father for "liberal provision of money". Reasons for journeying to Rome and Naples. Their route to Genoa.

His last letter was from Montpelier 18 November [1786]. Account of their journey from Montpelier to Marseilles, via Nismes, Avignon, where they had an excursion to the "prostituted" fountain of Vaucluse, and Aix. His favourable opinion of inhabitants and town of Marseilles. Cheapness of travelling.

Introductions for his father's cloth business; competition from Manchester and Yorkshire riders. Saw a funeral procession "with all sorts of mummery".

Received Smith's letter of 18 [November 1786]; their delight at Smith's account of his travels. Sharp start to winter in northern Europe. Dr [John] Hope dead, succeeded by Dr Rutherford. Various enquiries after Smith's "Thesis"; [Nicholas] Gwyn praises the Latin. Norwich news. October issue of "Monthly Review" very high in its praise of Smith's last publication. Reported that convicts are not to be sent to Botany Bay as the country is so extensive it may prove "too big for control", so are sent to New Norfolk Island. Price of silk falling.

Arrived in Genoa evening before last, receiving his father's letters of 6 November and 7 December [1786]. Account of his [and William Younge's] journey from Marseilles to Genoa, including stop at Cottignae, where they met [Louis] Gerard, "one of the most famous European botanists of the Linnaean school", who gave him copies of two letters from Linnaeus, with leave to publish them, arranged future correspondence. Precipitous road from Nice to Genoa. Magnificance of the Marquis Durazzo's house. Dined with Mr Brame, the English consul; met Dr Batt, who gives no hopes of Mr Marsh's recovery. Keeping a full journal of his tour. His "Thesis" so incorrectly printed he is ashamed to send it out. Friendliness of the populace towards the English.