Thanks for Davall's letter of 16 August, packets of plant and seeds and bottle of 'Orchis abortiva' flowers. The '-oides' names given to the Australian plants are only temporary; working on a "Natural History of New Holland" with Dr [George] Shaw, unhappy with plan for each number to have two plates each of plants and animals but settled by Wilson who gave him the plants.

His youngest brother has died though as he had "fallen into total indolence" it is no loss; transcribes epitaph written for his grave and comments on his early promise including almost winning Royal Academy gold medal for design of a church. Hopes to publish "Sketch of a Tour on the Continent" in December and urgently requests Davall to confirm his anecdote about Berne holding a fireworks display costing twice the amount Haller's collections were for in same year. Urges Davall not to fret over jealousy of the Swiss, "the envy of fools is one of the rewards of merit".

Thanks for Davall's observations on 'Lichen omphalodes', which will be tab 150 in "English Botany", 145 to be 'Pinguicula lusitanica', and 146 'Pyrola uniflora' from Scotland. [Adam] Afzelius and François safely returned from Sierra Leone with many fine things though climate too damp and insectiferous for specimens, the fruits and capsules most wonderful. Asks Davall to explain his and François [Borone's] scheme involving English garden specimens. [Thomas] Woodward happy to exchange specimens with Davall, as he uses Haller's books hopes Davall will convert him to Swiss botany. Is the Geneva 'Melampryum cristatum' different to the English. Would prefer Davall to send an original paper not based on DuCros.

Four pages of numbered botanical observations by Smith on Davall's parcel of plants received June 1793: 'Epilobium palustre' HL, 'Bromus arvensis' HL, 'Avena sativa' HL, 'Avena strigosa' Schreber, 'Avena fatua' HL, 'Avena fertilis' Allioni, '[Triticum] tenellum' HL, 'Minuartia campestris' HL, 'Cerinthe minor' HL, 'Ribes grossularia' HL, 'Chaerophyllum bulbosum' HL, 'Silene bellidifolia', 'Arenaria tetrequetra' HL, 'Myagrum rugosum', '[Thlaspi] perfoliatum' HL, 'Alyssum utriculatum' HL, 'Arabis pumila' Jacq, two species of 'Turritis' like 'Turritis hirsuta', 'Myagrum hispanicum', 'Geranium palustre' HL, '[Chrysanthemum] indicum', 'Chara flexilis', '[Carex] limosa' HL, 'Salix incubacea', '[Salix] purpurea', 'Salix repens' HL, 'Salix fusca' Flo Lapp, 'Valantia aparine' HL, 'Galium spurium' HL, '[Polypodium] alpinum a 'Cyathea', 'Phascum piliferum', 'Hieracium', 'Hieracium cymosum', 'Crepis leontodontoides'. One page of numbered remarks on lichens from Davall by Smith: 'Lichen albo-flavescens' Wulf., 'L. ulmi' Swartz, 'L. marmorens', 'L. exanthematicus', 'L. tumidulus', 'L. miniatus', 'L. fulgens' Swartz, 'L. saxifragus', 'L. spaeria' possibly 'L. reciptus' [HL probably Herbarium Linnaeus].

Hopes Smith received letter of 16 August 1793 and parcel containing plants including 'Orchis abortiva', bottle with flowers of same, and seeds. Feels unwell and low spirited. Sends seeds of 'Lavatera punctata' [Carlo] Allioni "Auctarium", 'Minnartia campestris' L., and 'Androsace lactea', observations including growing recommendations. Thanks for second parcel of Botany Bay plants. Will wait to send Smith's Montpellier parcel till sure of safe carriage. Would have come to England to see Smith but his finances ruined by purchasing books.

Approves of Smith's observations on 'Veronica kamtchatica' in "Linnean Transactions", asks if he will adopt Allioni and [Dominique] Villars' name 'uniflora' for 'Hypochaeris helvetica'. Offers to send "Gesnus dissertatio de Ranunculo bellifloro". Requests copy of a plate for [Jean] Senebier. Sends copy of Burman's "de Geraniis". 'Ranunculus plantaginifolius' of "Systema Vegetabilium" ed 14 found in Swiss Alps this summer; and a 'Bufonia tenuifolia' turned out to be 'Moehringia muscosa'.

Responds to Smith's letter of 24 September: condolences on death of Smith's brother; will enquire of [Jacob] Wyttenbach the particulars of the Berne fireworks display costing more than Haller's collections; comments on error by [Georg Franz] Hoffmann with 'Lichen omphalodes' in "Enumaratio" 4o p.76 and his "Plantae lichenosae" vol 1 p.40. Glad [Adam] Afzelius and François have returned, sorry their collections were attacked by insects so much and asks what liquor Smith uses to protect his specimens. Discusses his agreement with François [Borone] to be supplied with specimens as he is keen to increase his herbarium which is difficult to do in Switzerland; keen to start correspondence and exchange of specimens with [Thomas] Woodward. Will send Smith dried specimens of 'Melampyrum cristatum' this summer, in Switzerland it is a grove plant never seen in corn; he has given a foreign turn to 'Galium pusillum'.

Hopes Smith received parcel sent on 13 October via Mr Sympson containing two letters for Smith and three parcels of seed including 'Minuartia campestris', 'Androsace lactea', and 'Lavatera punctata'.

Transcribes, in French, conversation with and letter from [Jacob] Wyttenbach about a Berne fireworks display which cost more than Haller's collections which the Berne authorities had refused to buy; laments that Haller's herbarium is not available for consultation in Berne. Unable to forward Smith's parcel to [Jacques] Dorthes in Montpellier as communications between there and Geneva have ceased.

Lists reasons for delays with his book: ill-health, lack of space, greater temptation of the "delightful verdure of the country", bad winter light, expanding his herbarium, caring for his garden, his wife's ill health , death of their first child, and family matters. As foreseen by Smith he was too communicative about his plans and Haller's son has taken advantage: after sending him specimens and observations received a manuscript titled "Tentamen additament" or "ad Hist. Stirp. Helv." to be printed in a German magazine in Berne containing articles Haller had no idea of before their "imprudent communications". Infant son in good health.