A drawing belonging to George Walker of Hunter Square, Edinburgh, was mistakenly forwarded to Smith by Mr Edwards of Pall Mall; asks Smith to forward it to Walker and refers to letter of Thomas Johnes on subject [on preceeding folio of this letter].

Thanks for Smith's memoir on Ferns [published by Turin Academy]. Mortified by Dr [Robert John] Thornton's [(c 1768-1837), physician and writer on botany] rejection by Linnean Society; intends to propose him again, and if unsuccessful again will propose a change to the rules to reflect those of Royal Society. Concerned by "strong tendency" in Soho Square [home of Sir Joseph Banks] "to throw ridicule upon all persons and proceedings, except a certain set".

Had expected to see Roxburgh taking a botanical excursion up the river by this time and recommends such a trip in the cold weather as being advantageous to his health; encloses account [extant] and specimens of a locust swarm, one of the "numberless natural curiosities" of this country, to encourage him to visit.

In addition to other items he is sending by Mr Brown also sending seeds, and box of insects gathered by Mr Le Beck, they both wish to become members of the Linnean Society; Le Beck will be a valuable correspondent as he intends to spend his life in India. Recently drew and described a new species of 'Dolphinus'; as large as common dolphin but without dorsal fin, 60 teeth in each jaw, and chiefly inhabits the Ganges river, calls it 'D. gangetica'. [Francis] Buchanan is visiting them; he will send Smith plants.

Sends specimens of all his mints ['Mentha'], which though from his garden can be considered as in their native, wild state, as he never allows compost or manure into his botanical garden.

Thanks for Smith's letter and "friendly documents & information", unfortunately they came too late for him to alter names [in his "Menthae Britannicae"], as the plates are all finished and letterpress almost finished; the work has been slightly delayed by his ill health. Explains his garden catalogue system. Hopes there are not too many "blunders" in his work, and if he finds any contradictions with Smith's letter will add his observations as a postscript.

Sends copy of his account of the late "Embassy to China", with a folio volume of plates relating to it. The Linnean Society and all Smith's London acquaintance regret his absence, "tho' it is natural for you to prefer living in the Bosom of your Relations, in Norwich, [Norfolk]".

Relinquished his intention to publish "an elementary treatise on botany" and is now working on a "Synopsis of British plants" modelled on the ["Enchiridion botanicum" (1782)] of [Arthur] Broughton [(c 1758-1796), botanist]. Requests Smith's advice: omitting the cryptogamic plants owing to the "inadequacy of the characters" to represent them; wishes to retain the ferns, had hoped to base them on Smith's still anticipated treatise ['On the Genus of Dorsiferous Ferns', published in "Tracts relating to natural history" (1798)], asks whether to present them according to the Linnaean arrangement or to leave them for an appendix with the other cryptogamic plants. Outlines the changes he has made to presentation of characters and synoptic tables.

Asks after announcement of publication of a new "Flora Britannica" and discovery of new British plants recently announced in "Gentlemen's Magazine".

[Smith has briefly annotated his reply]: his volume will appear this year ["Tracts relating to natural history"], thinks it unfortunate that Symons has disturbed natural arrangement of genera in "Species Plantarum" and recommends he studies the cryptogams and compile from his predecessors.

Has a diploma for Smith from the Lisbon Academy, who are also sending a gift of all their works. [John Theodore] Koster has written from Portugal asking if Smith thinks they are worth paying the high duty on books coming into England and adds that Sir Joseph Banks, who received a similar gift, is glad of having them all. Pleased to see from a letter sent to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert that Smith has divided the 'Protea' family. He is currently in the middle of examining [Francis] Masson's [(1741-1805), Kew plant collector] collection of Cape [of Good Hope] 'Proteas'. Believes the flora of New Holland [Australia] and the Cape are "both fragments of a whole". Masson has two species of 'Styphelia' from the Cape. Makes observations on formation of 'Protea' flowers through comparison with 'Lambertia' and 'Tilia'.

Happiness at hearing of marriage of Smith's "amiable young friend". Regret at Smith having removed to Norwich. Relates his summer excursions in Carlingford Bay, Ireland, where he encountered naturalised 'Antirrhinum cymbalaria' and 'Veronica decussata' growing profusely, before sailing to Portpatrick, Scotland. Description of the countryside, including ruins of Castle Kennedy. Travelled onto Glasgow via Culzean Castle, with a description of its setting, and remarks on improvements to Glasgow, return journey to Portpatrick including mountains and plantations. Concludes that August is a bad month for botany, nonetheless found a profusion of 'Parnassia', 'Campanula rotundifolia' covers the fields, missed 'Rhodiola rosea' in Portpatrick. Stayed with Lord Clanbrassil [James Hamilton (1730-1798) 2nd Earl of Clanbrassil] in Dandalk, Ireland, description of his house and grounds, "a great amateur". Congratulates Smith on five plates in [William Curtis'] "Botanical Magazine". Asks whether it is worth subscribing to [Robert John] Thornton's [(c 1768-1837), physician and writer on botany] work. Asks if publication of Andrew's "Ericas" goes on. Saw a 'Phalana' from Virginia at Glasgow that may have been taken for a 'Papilio', reminded him of Smith on insects of North America, and in the "Nat. Miscel." as 'Luna'. Asks if Smith's "Flora" is to be an improved edition of Hudson ["Flora Anglica"]. [Walter] Wade satisfied with 'Hillarney', asks if the enclosed specimen [extant] is '[Hymenophyllum tunbridgense]'. Believes the "invasion" to be a "villainous state trick" [probably General Hoche's attempt in December 1796 to invade at Bantry Bay, Ireland].

Specimen of ['Hymenophyllum tunbridgense'].

Alarmed at the state of growing unrest in Ireland. Comments on reports published by a secret committee of both Houses of Parliament and the "great ability and contrivance shown by the conspirators". Fearful of consequences of a successful French invasion. An unusually cold spring has prevented him from botanising. Disappointed to not get the benefit of Smith's recent lectures. [Walter] Wade will repay Smith soon. Would like to see Smith's 'Lepidopteros' insects but the cost of travelling is very high because of the domestic situation, hopes Smith will give the etymology of the terminology in his study. Believes Smith's friend Johns will have a "magnificent fund of entertainment" in studying shells, remarks that the collection of [Charles Alexandre de] Calonne [(1734-1802) French statesman] probably arose "more from ostentation than taste".

Presumes Smith returned sometime ago from his trip to Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire. Has brought a few of the halfpence Smith was desirous of, has heard that they are made in Birmingham, Warwickshire, in sets. Has not yet seen third volume of "Linnean Transactions". Dublin Botanic Garden "goes on famously" but still no head gardener appointed. Disappointed by lack of natural history and botany in Sir George Staunton's "Voyage", believes he may have been restrained by political motives. Encloses a 'Fumaria' he believes is the one in "English Botany". Assumes Smith has postponed publication of the second volume of his "Tour".

His travels through Holland, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, intends to winter in Lausanne. Five days after embarking from Yarmouth, Norfolk, briefly taken prisoner by the Dutch and taken to Amsterdam along with Lord Berwick [Thomas Noel Hill (1770-1832) 2nd Baron Berwick of Attingham] and other passengers, but his baggage was spared and he was able see Holland which he would not have otherwise done. In Germany, where "they respect the Linnean Society", relates that [Georg Franz] Hoffmann, director of Göttingen Botanic Garden, has found undiscovered species in 'Jungermannia' and would like to send a paper on it to the Linnean Society but uneasy over the expense of drawings and plates, wonders if the Society would defray all or part of it. [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon has complained to [Johann Friedrich] Blumenbach and others that he sent the Society several valuable 'Cryptogamous' plants and not had them acknowledged in any way. Hoffman is intending to publish a new account of the genus 'Aster'.

At Bern, Switzerland, saw [Jacob Samuel] Wyttenbach who informed him that [Edmund] Davall is suffering from a paralytic affliction. In Switzerland has discovered a "very excellent and laborious botanist", [Johann Christoph] Schleicher [(1768-1834)], based at Bix. Unsure how long he will remain in Switzerland as his intentions of returning to England via the veterinary schools of France are hindered by the distant "prospect of a peace" with France. Friends are attempting to get him a passport, asks for assistance from Smith and Sir Joseph Banks in attempting to obtain a pass from the Directory [Executive Directory, body of five directors that held executive power in France, 1795-1799] as has been told that letters of recommendation from men of science hold more weight than from men in power.

Received Smith's last letter of 16 August from L'Abbé Correa. Awaiting arrival of copies of Smith's "Tour of the Continent" and "Lectures on Botany", has ordered his work on the "Insects of Georgia" and [George Leonard] Staunton's book, has already read passages on Madeira, Prague and Rio de Janeiro. [Carlo Antonio Ludovico] Bellardi pursuing his botanical work with a passion. Hopes Smith will visit Portugal one winter.

An abscess on his right hand has delayed his reply to Smith's letter of 3 January. Has seen [Pierre Remi] Willemet's "Herbarium Mauritianum", agreeing with Smith that it is a "poor performance" and remarks that the Conway mentioned in the preface is the French commanding general in India, who may have obstructed Willemet from a political difference rather than a dislike of natural history. Attended meeting of the "Class of Natural Sciences" where it was reported that Willemet is in France and planning an expedition into the interior of Africa, and a eulogium of [John] Sibthorp by Mr de Guys was read. The only foreign botanical work of interest recently published is the "Museum Schtio-lithologicum-conense", a "splendid publication" and in English publications [Richard] Salisbury's "Prodromus", praising him as a "nebulous star". [Adam] Afzelius has brought "very extraordinary" and "truly paradoxical" plants from Africa, believes his "Flora Guineenss" will be a great step towards the improvement of botany. Has received a friendly letter from Rodrigo de Sousa [Countinho], advises Smith to write to him.

Thanks for present of book ["The natural history of the rarer lepidopterous insects of Georgia"] and acknowledgement therein, praises Smith's work, "upon the whole it has the three great requisites to a modern publication - good letter, good paper, and showy plates". Has a pair of 'Papilio lathonia'. Until seeing Smith's cabinets at Hammersmith was unable to distinguish between 'Phalaena', 'Padella', and 'Euonymella'; concluded that 'Euonymella' was not English, but this year [Adrian Hardy] Haworth [(1768-1833) botanist and entomologist] and another have found it and it is described by [John] Ray. Believes Smith is mistaken in his naming of the fly 'Argiolus' Tab. 15.

In Italy; the collections arrived in Paris; insects almost entirely destroyed but plants in good state; thanks to Smith and Banks for having procurred their return.

At [William] Roxburgh's request sends Smith box of insects collected in Calcutta, observations: 1. 'Meloë cichorii', comparison to 'Meloë visicatorius' and its use by European physicians in Calcutta, an account by Captain [Thomas] Hardwicke in "Asiatick Researches"; 2. an insect found in the Botanic Garden and preserved in spirit [Smith annotation: "'Acheta monstrosa' Fabr[icius] Syst[ema entomologiae?]"]; 3. an unnamed insect that emerges after October rainy season [Smith annotation: "'Gryllus monstrorus' Drury's Ins. v2 t43 f1 ["Illustrations of natural history"]"]

Thanks for election as F.M.L.S.; sends memoirs.

Received Smith's letter of 1 February 1797. Sending specimens of 'Jonesia asoca', 'Flemingia grandiflora', and 'Thunbergia fragrans', the only species he knows of in India, for Smith's observations, includes some of his own. Duplicates from a box of specimens sent to Sir Joseph Banks for [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert should be given to Smith. Started despatching generic and specific characters of his plant drawings two years ago after hearing they were to be published, the twelfth hundred are now ready. Separately sending seeds of his 'Grislea tomentosa', formerley 'Lythrum', glad to hear that it is growing in Edinburgh Botanic Garden, has had no acknowledgment of the seeds and plants he has sent there since the death of [John] Hope, asked Banks to name one of the new genera after Hope if the former 'Hopea' proves to be a 'Lymplocos'. Assumes Smith has received 'Dillenia indica' flowers. An "infinite" amount of insects in his location but only just started collecting them on Smith's request, separately sending four of a cloud of locust and the letter sent from the surgeon who sent them to Roxburgh. Intends to go to Cape [of Good Hope] for his health.