Apologises for the passage in his paper ["On the marine plants described in the Flora Anglica"] which referred to Mr [Lilly?] Wigg [(1749-1829), clerk in Dawson Turner's bank] and was "confessedly to produce a laugh"; suggests how the passage could be removed and additions to be made if it is printed.

Recent weather: snow followed by rain. Norfolk "a most unpleasant state from [political] contest", some details. His brother, now in the Admiralty, will frank letters for Smith.

Unoffended by rejection of his paper by Linnean Society and amused by their "squeamishness" over the passage playing on Mr [Lilly?] Wigg's [(1749-1829), clerk in Dawson Turner's bank] name, even though it was omitted and both Smith and Dawson Turner found it unexceptionable, though uncertain whether the attack he made on Mr S's paper [possibly Richard Salisbury] caused this rejection. Will send illustrative specimens to Smith and print the paper privately.

On 1 September broke his inner gastrocnemius muscle and it has recovered from bandaging alone, as advised by Mr Home.

Encloses list [extant] of specimens prepared for his rejected paper, with note against each whether sent or not: 'Ulva fusca', 'U. purpurascens', 'U. rubens', 'U. rubra', 'Fucus concatenatus', 'F. faniculaceus', 'F. abrotanifolius', 'F. fibrosus', 'F. tamariscifolia', 'F. linearis', 'F. crispatus', 'F. bifidus', 'F. mutlifidus', 'F. obtusus', 'F. [filiminus]', 'F. cartilagineus', 'F. confervoides', 'F. capillaris', 'Conferva furriculacea', 'C. nigra', 'C. setacea', 'C. elongata', 'C. rubra', 'C. pellucida', 'C. nigresscens', C. fuccides', and 'C. pararitica'.

Weather lore: received "infallible prelude" of an approaching storm yesterday by rooks collecting in a small compass on the ground before going to roost: "their appearance between 4 & 5 yesterday afternoon was almost terrible, at about 200 yards from the house", similarly their collecting on the highest trees before going to roost is a certain predicition of a fair day.

Praises figures of willows and 'Conferva' in last received number of "English Botany" and answers questions on latter: ignorant of [William] Hudson's 'Conferva multifida; convinced 'C. equisetifolia' of "English Botany" is Hudson's 'C. imbricata' as Hudson sent him decayed specimen of it from Margate, [Kent]; figure of 'C. barbata' refers to Ellis' 'C. florisera' "Phil. Trans", if this means 'C. flosculosa' it belongs to 'C. setacea' as pointed out in his paper that Hudson misapplied it to 'C. rubra'.

Mr Rarhleigh sent him undoubted specimen of 'Rivularia [vermiculata]' and there is a similar at [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's written upon by Hudson "'Ulva s.n.'".

Note at top of recto of first folio: "sea goldbeater's skin enclosed - alias young membranaceous Fucus".

Asks Smith to remind [Thomas] Marsham of his promise to send the "most beautiful subjects for the microscope" for Colonel Tindall of Scarborough, [Yorkshire].

Delighted with Smith's book [probably "Introduction to Botany" (1807)]. Not yet in London as he is tending to his neglected plantations and his son is foxhunting. Will bring plants with him for Smith's inspection, including fern from Madeira.

His son broke his collar bone in a hunting accident but had good fortune to meet his surgeon on way home, hopeful of good recovery considering Duke of Portland's recovery from his many accidents.

Timber prices: informed by Dr Barham of Kent that Lord Despenser has lately sold English fir for 2500 at 3/9 per foot, and by Duke of Gordon that [James] Brodie has just also sold some advantageously; advising his friends to not pay more than 10d per cubic foot for Riga timber, it is now 5/8 at York, and there is none in Stockton-on-Tees, [County Durham] where it is usually sold.

Pleased with [Dawson] Turner's work [probably "Fucus sive plantarum fucorum..." (1808-1819)], Turner's 'T. pusillus' was amongst the drawings he sent Turner, found at Exmouth, [Devon], in 1799. Sent Turner receipt for an effective rheumatism medicine received from Hoppover two years ago.

Sends copy of first part of his description of Madame Bonaparte's garden at Malmaison.

A letter from Sir James Edward Smith, Norwich, [Norfolk], to Étienne Pierre Ventenat

His sister Mrs Nicholas has died, "a sad instance of the inefficacy of Foxglove taken early & steadily". Reviews "English Botany" for November and December: wishes 'Saxifraga umbrosa' leaves were figured larger; observed 'Veronica hybrida' and believes it is the same as the 'Veronica spicata' growing near Giant's Hole on St Vincent's Rocks [near Bristol], [William] Curtis also doubted it was 'spicata'.

Has perfect specimens from [William] Hudson of 'Corrigiola'. Hudson did not introduce 'Saxifraga umbrosa' in his "Flora [Anglica]" as it was on a list of plants which Dr [Richard] Richardson [(1663-1741), physician and botanist] of Birely, [Yorkshire], had commissioned to be planted in retired places so that he could afterwards discover them.

Encloses drawings; has no female florets on his 'Eriocaulon sexangulare' , requests Smith's assistance. Sir Joseph Banks and [James] Dickson think the 'Ribes petraeum' in "English botany" is only a variety of 'R. rubrum'; argues against this, small ink sketch. Smith should expect Dickson's "Fasciculus [plantarum cryptogamicarum Britanniae]" soon as he is working on the plates. Encloses a new 'Lichen'. Asks after the 'Ulva' he previously sent

Has so far failed to find the '[Lichen] floridus' for Smith. Will preserve Smith specimens of 'Conchium salicinum', though its pods are so hard she will struggle to dry them. Offers to send seed of 'Spartium monospermum' which has sparingly ripened this year. Thanks for seeds of 'Chelone barbata', she has given half to Todd, the gardener, and she will sow other half in spring. Anticipates her garden will be in "high beauty" next summer as her father gave her much manure and a man to take care of them, and she now has her mother's 'Auricula' collections. 'Strelitzia reginae' soon in "high beauty", it has many pods. Asks what the enclosed specimen is, it was found on the hills by Todd two years ago.

Rejoices with Smith on "happy event of peace" and hopes it be permanent; supposes Norwich was "very gay" with illuminations, she only had her dressing room illuminated. Congratulates Smith on his "vocal parties". Requests seeds or root of 'Gentiana verna', being delighted with the account of it in [William] Curtis' "[Botanical] Magazine".

Todd, the gardener, agrees with Smith that the unknown plant must be 'Orobus sylvaticus', and as requested has sent specimen to Sir Joseph Banks. As yet unable to find the lichen Smith requested ['Lichen floridus']. Fears her garden will not look well this summer as the old man who looks after it has a bad fever which is "very prevalent among the labourers". 'Mimosa [snaveolans]' in "high beauty" in conservatory with long pendulant brances covered with flowers of delicate straw colour, it is the most elegant plant there except for 'Graminia'. 'Sitospermum undulatum' going into flower for first time. Her father away.

Thanks Smith for letter and renewal of their correspondence. Delighted by Smith's description of the "real study of botany" and she often regrets that so many make botany consist of "a long catalogue of names & classes, instead of directing the mind to discover the affinity plants bear to each other and their medicinal virtues", and she is convinced that people would have fewer medical complaints it they attended more to simples. Caught in storm of snow and hail on return journey from an excursion to Devil's Bridge, where building work is being carried out on a house two of her father's old servants are settled in.

They intend to stay in London for two months and she is anticipating the "charming music" she will hear at the opera and other amusements. Mr Viganoni will attend her in London so they will have "some delightful concerts".

Note by Thomas Johnes thanking Smith for his criticisms, shall write fully soon.

Thanks for Smith's two letters; his alarm was less by the time the first arrived and his daughter [Mariamne Johnes] has recovered quickly; [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] was right in speaking out his mind and now rises in his opinion, and Mariamne is now happier than she has been in last six months. Beddoes prescribed her small doses of the 'Calx muricata' and a drop of muriatic acid twice a day, which works "wonderfully well"; she has no phlegm or cough though at one point Beddoes feared tuberculosis; her activities. Delighted with Bristol and its environs, "the air & water have a peculiar softness". Asks [Thomas] Marsham to send sixth volume of "Linnean Transactions".

Thanks for copy of "Flora [Britannica ?]"; glad to hear of Smith's improved health. His daughter [Mariamne Johnes] was ill whilst he was away but [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] is "exceedingly attentive to her". Lord Lansdowne says that the Borghesi and two other "fine collections" are coming to England for sale, and that £6000 was asked for the "Gladiator".

Use of Latin terminology. Forgot to mention his promtion to the Lieutenancy. The patent is "working out" and he will have to go to London to "kiss hands". Has been made "quite comfortable" by the abolition of the auditorships in the last session of Parliament, as he has been placed on a similar footing with those who were appointed for life, for "no minister had ever any bowels". His sister frequently visits from Bath, [Somerset], and Mr Williams, [her husband ?] is in London: they have "been sadly cheated" but Smith's countryman, Sir George Chad, "behaved most handsomely" and got them out of a "a dreadful scrape".

Received Smith's letter; returns [James] Anderson's letter and sends £2 for Linnean Society subscription. Smith's seeds on the way; applies adage "that the more one has the more one desires" to plants. Botany Bay seeds do "vastly well" and asks if any attempts have been made to naturalise them. Has been sending out and reprinting a paper in an attempt to make an "excellent mode of improvement as public as possible" and also busy working on Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] and printing his "Advice to Tenants".

His family all well and they hope all danger has passed. "Poor little Jones" [medical practitioner attendant on his daughter, Mariamne Johnes] suffered a bad accident on journey to Hafod when the mail coach turned over and lacerated his leg. A passage in Latin for Smith's amusement.

Thanks for Smith's letters of 24 May and 4 June. Obliged to Sir Thomas Frankland's enquiries; sorry he has had such losses and recalls dining with him and his family at Edward's five years ago; "they were beautiful girls but I did not then think them in such danger". Charles Greville [(1749-1809), mineralogist and horticulturist] has promised Mrs Johnes a true peony when he has propogated it. Critises Symmons' character for "wanting everything another has", which reminds him of "Bonielli's speech of his cousin LaFayette".

Smith's intentions regarding Hafod views are "magnificent" and thinks if they are done well and limited in number they will sell well. Intends to have a small map of his grounds made which Smith may have for the work ["A tour to Hafod, in Cardiganshire" (1810)] .

[Dr Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] has "behaved vastly well indeed" and his patient, [Mariamne Johnes], is so improved Smith would not know her. Return to Hafod delayed in case Mariamne would be exhausted by the numbers who might come to her birthday. Calx muricata must be "an extraordinary good medicine"; Mariamne's recovery owed to it. Beddoes made a surprising cure of Dr Briggs, from Ceylon, who had lost 20 pounds of blood and given up on by London practitioners; Beddoes used 'Digitalis' in very small quantities and is to publish the case. Recommends Smith read "Memories of Modern Philosophers" 2, written by a woman.

Stayed in London longer than expected for his installation as Lord Lieutenant of Cardiganshire. Congratulates Smith's family on his sister's marriage. Dined with Lady de Clifford [Sophia Southwell]; relates story of a banker who killed her Wana Ta by trying to cut off a slip of it. Hanbury Williams [Johnes' brother-in-law ?] was dying in London from a bladder and urethea complaint till his sister came to him, now recovering; Williams' family have treated them "cruelly" and by their behaviour to himself [Johnes] they have gained £30,000.

Asks where the Hafod views are being engraved as he would like to see a specimen before leaving London; hopes the map of the grounds will be fine, has ordered as many for Smith's 100 copies [for Smith's "A tour to Hafod, in Cardiganshire" (1810)]. Believes Edwards has transferred all the periodical publications to Evans.

Received Smith's letter of 14 [September]. Spent the week with "our friend Edwards" and a French friend of his, who confirmed suspicions that they were ignorant of what was happening in France; it would take a volume "as big as Boswell's "Life of Johnson" to inform Smith of all the information he learnt. Unluckily, Mariamne's new master, Signor Bianchi, came whilst they were staying and "the Frenchman & Italian were in a constant scene of war". Convinced he will like the plates of Hafod, and Edwards is pushing for 250 copies as he is sure they will sell.

Thanks for the seeds. Asks if Smith thinks maize will grow here, as he wishes to introduce polenta to his poor people, and the stalks would feed pigs. Will finish his first volume of Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] before Christmas. Requests same quantity of fearnought [thick cloth for overcoats] as last year.

Under another cover sends Smith a specimen of a mineral found here which none of the miners know what it is. Asks the value of manganese and best market for it. Anticipates valuable deposits of lead and copper in Beulahwalter hill opposite his house, though it will spoil the scenery and cause a contest between avarice and pleasure. [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] has had a sever ague.

Rages at ingratitude he has met with [no details of incident are provided]: wishes Smith would create a work on the plan of Baron Borne's "Monochologia" and call it "Causidicologica", from the "lowest blotter of paper to the director of a Royal Conscience", and would give Smith all the necessary assistance needed. Best accounts of his daughter's [Mariamne Johnes] health: thanks to [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] living in "such a consumptive latitude" he "sees it in all shapes" so they were alarmed in time and by following his advice she has recovered. Does not think she had any pulmonary disease but it might have developed, they went to Clifton [near Bristol] for treatment.

Thanks Smith for what he says of the naked barley but [Thomas William] Coke told him it was very unproductive. Asks if Smith knows of an American wheat which is six weeks earlier than the common sort, informed of by Mr Galton. His farm and garden doing "vastly well", especially the dairy, and next year intends to have 50 to 60 cows. His family rejoice at Weston's good fortune.