Forwarded Mr Harriman's letter. Glad his 'Bromus' correct. Approves name 'Ulva alcicornis' and thinks Dawson Turner "very dextrous in his names" compared to those previously stating names. Will bring 'Ulva diaphara' and 'U. flavescens' to London for Smith to see what [William] Hudson named the latter.

Sorry Smith was an invalid this summer and hopes London was clear of its "detestable fogs" when he was there. His own health good since adopting rigid temperance plan of limiting himself to eight ounces of wine a day and no fermented liquor at supper, though cannot resist his own beer, brewed by itself 10 bushels to 3 hogsheads and matured for 12 to 18 months. Lady Frankland surprisingly well considering her anxiety over her three daughters. Recently made some "metallic tractors" for a Durham physician; in a recent number of the "Medical Journal" there is a complete "quizzing" of them by Dr Alderson of Hull, several patients in the infirmary received so much benefit that they returned their thanks in church for their cures, these tracters were made of wood and coated with sealing wax.

Forwarded letter to [Richard] Salisbury. Sorry to hear of Smith's poor health. Unable to procur specimens of 'Poa procumbens' this season for Smith's Lady friend. Encloses a grass which grows "by the Avon side below the Hotwells". [William] Curtis' 'Poa retroflexa' grows near him on dry soil in a thick patch where an old road was obliterated, sees no difference between the two except that Avon plant is two or three feet high. There is no snow and colour of grass not changed by frost, cattle are out and he is about to sow wheat. Criticises [James] Sowerby's figure of 'Fucus roseus' for not resembling any specimen he has seen; lists differences.

Makes observation on upper pair of leaves in his 'Rubus' compared to [James] Sowerby's; brought specimens for Sir Joseph Banks but he does not think there is a second species. Has his 'Ulva lumbricalis' for Smith. Has taken his seat but unsure how long he will hold it and confusion of politics prevents the arrangement in which his brother is concerned from taking place at present. Has just received Chelmsford felons' calendar with 110 names, the Yorkshire has 59.

As thanks for the "great pleasure" she derived from Smith's botanical lecture sends him the enclosed work, [probably her "A poetical introduction to the study of botany" (1801)], which was written "with the hope of facilitating to young minds the acquisition of that elegant service".

His eldest son, aged 20, has developed consumption and they are about to embark for either Lisbon or Madeira subject to Dr Ritcairn's opinion. Received Smith's letter on 'Chelone barbata'.

Dr Ritcairn has written him with encouraging account of Madeira so is determined to set out as soon as possible with his son [suffering from consumption].

Dr Belcombe advises staying in England until end of September [Frankland's eldest son suffering from consumption]; frustrated that both Lisbon and Madeira are currently inaccessible, with the latter being in possession of English troops. Assured by the Thirkleby apothecary that his son has no bad symptoms, a usual pulse and no heat to his skin, and that what he spat in the morning was only mucus. As Smith speaks of himself as consumptive requests outline of his complaint.

Grateful for Smith's account of his own consumptive condition which "confirms strongly how much we are often deceived by following a particular plan or medicine from the report of such a one having been relieved by it". Smith's condition is pulmonary and less serious than his son's as it does not tend to ulceration. Dr Pitcairn says his son has no symptoms of ulceration and strongly recommends undertaking the voyage to Madeira with anecdote of a debilitated neighbour who went last winter and recovered.

Details of his son's condition: he contracted a venereal complaint at Oxford last April and having always had a delicate constitution the treatment of it affected him so much that he was obliged to tell Lady Frankland the truth, and his stength had recovered his strength until he started spitting blood; he is now stronger and looks better than he did and is confident that a general and radical strengthening of his constitution will make him better. The concealment of his son's illness whilst he was in London caused himself two or three bilious attacks.

Details of their journey to Portsmouth, [Hampshire], to sail for Madeira on the Falcon under Captain Nash. His son stronger and more cheerful since leaving home and has no heats or chills. They have the best letters of recommendation and gun portfolios for amusement as there will be quails, red legged partridges and rabbits in abundance.

His son's death last autumn; returned to England 23 December. Plans to summer in Brighton, [Sussex].

Suspects that the plant which poisoned two of [Charles Lennox, 3rd] Duke of Richmond's [(1735-1806)] horses is 'Oenanthe crocata', knowing that the pasture is next to a stream by which it grows. Has been confined last six weeks by infected toenail. Praises "English Botany" figure and name of 'Conferva rosea'; found it at Worthing, [Sussex], in 1782, and Exmouth, [Devon], [William] Hudson thought it his 'purpurascens', received larger specimens from Dawson Turner. His botanical library at Chichester consists of "Compendium Florae Britannicae" and most recent numbers of "English Botany". If there is a storm will try to find 'Fucus' about Bognor and Selsea Island.

Plans to bring his brother and colleague back into the new Parliament.

Certain that 'Oenanthe crocata' poisoined two of [Charles Lennox, 3rd] Duke of Richmond's [(1735-1806)] mares in foal; examined the pasture and dry streambed of the Lavant and there is evidence of the horses digging up the roots and their stomachs were full of a white substance like sawdust, agreeing exactly with what they observed on examining roots of this year mixed with decayed roots of last year; the bank of the stream is full of the plant. Noticed a horse cropping the top of the plants which he supposes is comparatively innocent and that the brood mares must have had "depraved appetites" to dig up the roots. 'Heracleum' in meadows here is called "hog-weed" and fed to the hogs. Has not found any 'Fucus' or uncommon saltmarsh plants.

[Wilson] Lowry [(1760-1824), engraver] has returned his plants and drawings unengraved after three years, offers them to [James] Sowerby.

Unable to assist Dr [George] Williams of Oxford in election as his brother's vote is the only one in his influence and he is too warmly engaged in politics to quit his post and only visits Oxford in October to attend the All Souls election.

Does not intend to visit London this year; his family's arrangements for summer. Sent his 'Confervae' drawings to [James] Sowerby but judging by his figure of 'Conferva rubra' fears he will not profit by them; lists the figure's errors in figure and requests his drawings be sent to his brother. Not usually being here at this season was unaware of the destruction of pheasant eggs by carrion crows; they also take eggs and young chickens from his poultry yard.

Sorry Dr [George] Williams failed in Oxford election by so large a majority. His second son is at Christchurch, Oxford, lists efforts made to help him settle in; it is now compulsory to attend Divinty lectures during the hunting season.

Had planned to spend August at Redcar, [Yorkshire], a bathing-place near mouth of the Tees but so uncomfortable they went to Scarborough instead. The coasrt at has loose sand hills with 'Arundo arenaria' and 'Carex arenaria'. Gathered some saltmarsh plants near Chichester in summer of 1802. Last spring experimented with Forsyth's composition [for healing injured trees] on fruit trees and young oaks and though initially dissatisfied with it thinks it has now answered in most of his trials; details results from a laurel.

Can find no person to tell him systematically what proportion of cock pheasants to hen pheasants should be killed and dicusses Lord Paget's figures; his pheasants are much scarcer this year after carrion crows destroyed nearly 100 eggs.

List of local plants and habitats. Informs Smith that [Thomas] Hutton [(fl 1780s-1820s)] of Keswick, [Cumberland] is "a sad ignorant imposter" who does not know the most common plants.

[Letter incomplete: first half appears to be missing]

On receipt of the last number of "Flora Britannica" was reminded of a lichen on Exmouth Warren resembling 'Lichen prunastri' but growing on the ground; encloses fragments of 'Lichen stictoceros' [Smith has annotated "right" in the margin]. His brother, Lieutenant Colonel of the North York Militia, will frank any botanical correspondence for Smith.

His son's success at Oxford. Sir Joseph Banks doing better than last year and "hobbles up and down stairs on every occassion without sparing himself". The Institution flourishes and is thronged every day but has not been able to hear Mrs Sidney Smith's "Essays on good jokes" yet. His brother to have "the fatigue of being [...] the Cannister to the Duke of Clarence's Tail at the Installation", received his "beautiful little work on the blight in wheat".

Notes on [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's "A description of the genus Pinus" and errors with Balm of Gilead fir; Dr Hardname, librarian at Sir Joseph Banks' [Jonas Dryander] admitted it was wrong. Encloses a handbill ["Advertisement of the exhibition of a living Llama at Brooke's Menagerie, 242, Piccadilly", see RelatedMaterial below] on the "pacos" of Linnaeus, his own observations: it is not the llama which is the larger species, about seven months old, has many beautiful points with "fine eyes, & much affection in its manners", and it spits when teased but its saliva is not corrosive; includes small ink sketch of back of its head and neck and profile.

Relates an experiment of July 1803 on cut branches of young oaks smeared with Forsyth's ointment; till summer of 1804 there was no attempt renew the bark and concludes that amputation early in the season is necessary for success. Latest volume of "Linnean Transactions" "most respectably engraved".

Informed of Smith's illness by his "new & valuable correspondent", [James] Brodie. Regrets that any dispute "should have arisen with a man who having proved himself capable of premeditated, & continued, deceit must have ever remained a charatcer for mistrust" [presumably a reference to Richard Salisbury's dispute with Smith]. Recommended Loudon to Mr Price of Foxley as he was going into that neighbourhood, but Price objects to much of Loudon's book.

Wrote paper for Linnean Society testifying [William] Hudson's "Flora Anglica" in response to so many of the marine plants in "English Botany" not conforming with Hudson's. Received 'Pyrola uniflora', the last he wanted, from Brodie. His only botanical neighbour, Archdeacon Pierson, has died of pleurisy in very bad circumstances; his herbarium of 1500 English and 2000 exotic dried plants on paper 18 inches by 12 to be sold at York, he would always go back and improve his specimens whenever he found better.

Asks Smith's opinon of value of his late neighbour Archdeacon Pierson's herbarium, due to be sold in York, comprised of 1745 British plants, 866 exotic, 130 miscellaneous, and 25 Corallines, on paper 18 inches by 11, finically neat and luxuriant, with each order arranged in a neat portfolio-like case encased in spacious wainscot chest. Smith previously valued a larger herbarium at £30, hopeful for similar value.

Has been examining mosses and pleased with Smith's genera and English names, especially preservation of [William] Hudson's specific names even when obliged to alter the genus.

Lady Frankland's sister, Mrs Courtney, died of a pleuritic cold last Christmas and her husband shortly followed her, dying of a "broken heart" "literally & anatomically". Archdeacon Pierson's herbarium still unsold and his collection of 800 portrait prints, including "semi-caricatures of Dr Cullen, & other Scotch physicians, & men of eminence" will be be sold in London.

Had difficulties securing hotel rooms in London for this spring which shows "how popular this kind of residence is become".

'Ulva rubra' just figured in "English Botany" is definitely the plant [William] Hudson named to him. Anxious to hear whether rumours of [James] Brodie's death are true or not. Archdeacon Pierson's herbarium did not sell so is now to be raffled with sixty guinea tickets. Bad harvest weather.