Received Smith's letter yesterday; responds to point about his housekeeper and gratuities paid to his staff by guests by reiterating that he "cannot help it" and that the majority of those touring this area treat it as a "conquered country" and "their dirty conduct is scarce credible". His orders have been for the housekeeper to take 2/6 from single persons, and 5/ from groups, and though she is an excellent servant she is "certainly fond of gaining money" and feels hurt that at those who "pompously come in curricle" offer only a shilling. Quotes part of a poem in French. Everything he hears against the peace confirms him more in it.

Informs Smith that Symmons has bought a place near Llanelly and hears "he has married his whore". Mrs Johnes thanks Smith for seeds of 'Veratium'.

Assures Smith that it is only those "that expect every thing, and who give themselves airs when they come here" that he is vexed, though he is sorry for the repeated complaints he has had of the avarice of his housekeeper and concludes the easiest solution is to close his house up, for if it remains open to all he shall be overrun. Has not heard or seen anything of Symmons since he returned to Wales, and though Symmons has had many workmen does not think he will stay long. Has a "small bantling" coming out; complains of White's high charges for printing. His Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] translation now ready but waiting to see how his "partinger" is received before proceeding. Intends to be in London early February, in order to settle his accounts, but will not stay longer than a month as his farm now requires constant attention.

His old schoolfellow [William] Windham [(1750-1810), politician] seems willing to "undo all her formerly did", and from being a "steady Whig is become a determined Tory". Does not think the peace will last long. Thinks everyone ought to attempt to "alleviate our informal debt" and has drawn up a plan for this.

Sorry to hear Smith has been so ill. Re-elected member of Parliament, as was Mr Vaughan, so preventing "even a possibility of any disturbance in the county". Lists visitors to his house over summer.

Though Smith has let [William] Windham [(1750-1810), politician] know his sentiments "pretty clearly" does not approve of [William] Smith whom Smith exchanged for him, as he is "too much the opposite". Has no opinion of those politicians who under "pretence of patriotism or alarm would sacrifice every thing to their faction". Laments loss of friendship between himself and Windham since their school days. His wife and daughter [Mariamne Johnes] well and the latter grown so stout Smith would not know her, though "this sad weather" much against his "invalids".

Expects Dyke shortly to view the estate he intends to sell, which if sold near his expectations shall be a "made man". Asks how fearnoughts [thick woollen cloth for overcoats] are selling this year as if not too dear shall want some for his poor people.

Has been busy with assizes and visits at home and abroad. Does not agree with Trafford's notion that Lord Moira [Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings (1754-1826)], is a "precox Chevalier", having heard he was "too great a Jobber for the Character, and it came from those who employed him". Reckons that if the newspaper reports are true, and that Napoleon believed [William] Windham [(1750-1810), politician] wished him assassinated, it shows him "a poor mind", and his recent manifesto to the Swiss "proves him a Tyrant". Had once thought Napoleon "great", but now finds "melancholy" that only one person in history has "voluntarily quitted absolute power uncontaminated, and the new world has the glory of it" [probably referring to George Washington (1732-1799), first President of the United States]. Supposes Napoleon's ambition can "never be glutted", expects him to make a formal complaint against the liberty of the English press. Discusses his becoming a printer and arrival of the press; shall shortly commence printing his Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] and is not concerned by reviews or newspapers.

Reminds Smith of Sir Joseph [Banks'] "famous letter" to the member of the [French] Institute on his election and adds that Banks has written to a lady thanking her for sending him a "most nonsensical ode on the death of Dolomieu". Delighted with the naked barley [Thomas William] Coke gave him, which will be a benefit to this country.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 24 November and encloses root of "this famous plant". Autumn has been "delightful" in every respect. Believes the French paper Sir Joseph [Banks'] letter was in may have been the "decade Philosoplique". Congratulates Smith on acquisition of the herbarium. Asks if there is a plant in Sweden called "Okenberg", which he spells from Lactoenage's "Romende en Suede & Norwegn", which is said to be delicious but only grows in northern latitudes.

They are in good health. Had formed a plan to take [his daughter, Mariamne Johnes], to London and then France and Holland to visit his friend Liston this spring, but she has requested to delay it a year so as to improve herself and grow taller.

Sorry Smith's health obliges him to employ an amanuensis. They have lost a score of trees to the severe weather and high winds, though they have had little snow. Mariamne [Johnes, his daughter], returns her thanks to Smith; she stopped using the machine [for a spinal complaint] a long time ago, and doubts she will take Smith's advice as she complains of it "hurting her eye, & affecting her head". Hopes to avoid London this year as he has so much work with his printing press. Invites Smith to divert to Hafod during his trip to Bath, [Somerset], and Liverpool, [Lancashire]. Mr Brigstocke and his family of Blaenpant are good friends of his; hopes Smith's acquaintance will be comfortable there and expects to see her. Asks if Smith has read [Thomas] Beddoes' [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] pamphlet on gout; he is convinced.

Received Smith's letters of 15 and 28 [February ?]. Sent Smith information on the estates he is selling to be given to his Quaker friend and other interested parties. His family in good health, though his daughter [Mariamne Johnes] complains of headaches and she is to start taking Calx again as a precaution against the influenza currently raging in the country. Wishes the French would "keep themselves and their disorders at home".

His translation of Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] going well, though had to dismiss his "rogue" of a printer and is expecting a replacement from Edinburgh. Todd [his gardener] is recovering from a head injury after falling from his horse, and had been suffering "jealous whims" though hopes they are gone with the blood the leeches took from his head.

Received Smith's letter of 19 [July]. Pleased Smith's Liverpool lectures are so successful and hopes he will repeat annually. Thinks Liverpool is "one of the most liberal commercial towns", and that William Roscoe's "taste & knowledge in Italian literature" has made it "fashionable". Pleased Roscoe has finished his "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo [X]"; supposes Roscoe used Lord Cork's "envious papers" of the period, he had nothing for Roscoe himself but Mr Shepherd found some "curious letters" of Poggio [Bracciolini (1380-1459), Italian scholar].

Mariamne [Johnes, his daughter] fonder of her gardens than ever and is in good health, and recently danced all evening. In "a most melancholy spectacle", Todd [his gardener], has become an "idiot" [after sustaining a head injury falling from his horse, see RelatedMaterial below] but is wasting away in spite of his appetite, so they hope he shall be quietly die. His farmyard narrowly escaped burning down, and only lost about £150 and no man, beast, or hay were damaged.

Yesterday had the "very considerable gain" of a lay estate in Cardigan, after settlement of a long running Chancery suit, and on selling his other estates shall be "too rich". Hopes his first volume [translation of Jean Froissart (c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] will be printed by Christmas; there is to be folio edition of 20 and quatro of 300. Rained for the first time this month, does not remember a longer drought.

Responds to Smith's letters of 26 and 31 August: Smith should have received Dr Ford's letter with [William] Roscoe's certificate. Has always intended to visit Burleigh, having heard the pictures highly spoken of, and recalls when at Loretto, [Austria ?], story told by the monks of the late Lord Exeter offering buy a Raphael for as many guineas it took to cover it, but they refused; comments that this would be "a cheap way of buying his pictures, compared with present prices". Will inform Smith of details of the Chancery suit next time he sees him, and he owes it entirely to Symmons.

Advises Smith to advertise his "Tour [to Hafod]" this winter and believes another 15 subscribers could be added to the 35 existing. Possible rival works: never answered Bowyer's letter, but "he is enterprising, and his things are in general tawdry & badly done", in reference to his "Views of Egypt, & the Levant"; Loutherbowey was in Wales 12 or 15 years ago and carried away many sketches; Mr Malkin of Hackney, [Middlesex], intends publishing a "Tour thro' South Wales" in one or more volumes with well engraved prints, and though Johnes believes it will not be very enlightening urges Smith that he has no time to lose.

Viganoni leaving on Monday: his improvement of Mariamne's playing and singing is "wonderful" but her drawing skills are equally good. Todd [his gardener] "cannot be trusted again" after his neglect of the kitchen garden and destruction of seeds, though he will take care of him [Todd sustained head injuries after falling from his horse, see RelatedMatieral below]. Requests any new Botany Bay seeds.

Praises the "truly Christian goodness" of Smith's cookmaid, Mrs Cobbold, for sending presents "to those who persecuted her". Currently a bad market for all sales and now has 200 sheep and 46 head of cattle undisposed of, which will eat him out. Continuing heavy snow fall. Mrs Johnes thanks Smith for the seeds; she has now taken the conservatory and garden under her management. He has made his cook his gardener, as he did not have enough work to do, since which time he has become a "much superior cook". Mariamne [Johnes, his daughter] is very attentive to her music and drawing, and has two gardens to look after, one of which has just been ornamented with a vase Smith might have seen at [Sir Joseph] Banks' in London.

Enjoyed reading [William] Hayley's "Life of Cowper". Did not learn much from [William] Godwin's "[Life of] Chaucer" for his translation of Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler], but is saved him from attempting a "history of the manners of those times", and though he criticises Godwin's "unequal & dogmatical" style believes he has "made an addition to our literature". Busy ensuring his first volume is ready for Christmas though certain of errors and unclear on how White will publish it.

Hopes Smith received his last letter, in which there was "a hint respecting one of your baronets meant for your own eyes alone" [this letter is not extant in this collection]. Read [Anna Laetitia] Barbauld's "most excellent" introduction to [Samuel] Richardson's "Letters"; it is a "charming collection", but too long. Smith's "little friend" [his daughter, Marimane Johnes], to be as proficient in drawing as in music. His work on translation of Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] keeps two compositers and one press man fully employed; third volume finished though worried White is keeping them aside as he has not seen second volume yet.

Conservatory thriving under sole management of Mrs Johnes; she received two double red and double variegated 'Camellia' from the Duchess of Bedford [Georgiana Russell (d 1853)] and asks what sort of 'Bigonia' will thrive in conservatory and best time for them. Depending on the "majorities" intends to spend this year at home finishing his book.

Thanks for Smith's letter received yesterday; forwarded its enclosed letter to Dublin. Glad Smith likes the second volume of his Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] translation; the "British critic has used me handsomely, the Edinburgh very well, but has shown great ignorance". White [publisher] has the third volume and will have the fourth in May. Blasts those he thought his friends; in future shall "keep the world at a distance". Discusses his planned transations of other French chroniclers: [Jean de] Joinville [(1224-1317)] and [Enguerrand de] Monstrelet [(1400-1453)]. Will be happy to see Smith and Mrs [Pleasance] Smith in August.

Asks in which book they can find a 'Volkameria', a "beautiful cocinea spiry plant", which he has but unable to find in any of his books, would be grateful to Smith for any seeds. His conservatory and garden prospering, especially since making his cook also his gardener. [William] Roscoe's severe fit of gout is delaying his "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo X". Praises drawing skills of Mariamne [Johnes, his daughter]; he thinks her copies of the etchings in Spencer's "Leonora" are equal to the originals.

Thanks for Smith's letter and condolences, "the blow has been most severe, and more so, from bring so very unexpected" [possibly death of his sister, Elizabeth, wife of Hanbury Williams]. Will assist Smith in the publication of his "Tour of Hafod", though warns his circle of friends has reduced considerably. Not surprised by [Richard] Salisbury's conduct. Glad Smith likes [Benjamin] Malkin's [(1769-1842), antiquarian] book ["The Scenery, Antiquities, and Biography of South Wales" (1804)], who is a friend of his. Mariamne [Johnes, his daughter] is well and walks 5 to 7 miles daily. news. Asks that they be remembered to the Mr and Mrs Kindersley; "had our strange sister [Charlotte] followed his advice it would have been better for her".

Received Smith's letter yesterday, remarks on potatoes. Heard from [Benjamin] Malkin [(1769-1842), antiquarian] that Smith's book ["A tour to Hafod" (1810)] was in a "fair way of being made publick". Discusses views and drawings of Hafod, a plan of house, drawing of the mosaic "with its proper colours", internal rearrangements he has made, an engraving of the obelisk he erected to the late [Francis Russell, 5th] Duke of Bedford [(1765-1802)], has no drawing of the "charming chain bridge" on a new walk he has made.

They are all in good health except for [Hanbury] Williams [his brother-in-law], who seems "on the decline", though "if he would not give such way to his grief" [following death of his wife and Johnes' sister, Elizabeth] he would "last some time". Delightful weather and fine foliage, though the "urns of my river gods are almost dry".

Thanks for Smith's letter of 13 [August]. Will miss Smith's friend Colonel Purton as he will be at the Cardigan assizes. His wife has had a return of her spasms. [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] has been dangerously ill but now convalescing; he is their "sheet anchor" as he knows all their constitutions so well. Describes interior and exterior improvements at Hafod; has let out the farm he had in hand at three times the rent as when he took it on, and has now begun improving 2000 acres of wildground to let out in four or five years time.

Happy Smith has been pleased with La Broequine and thanks him for his notes, which he will make use of in the next edition. Has been extremely inconvenienced by [John Henry Petty, 2nd Marquess of] Lansdowne [(1765-1809)] abandoning his purchase of the Priory.

Mariamne [Johnes, his daughter] has become a "prodigious fine miniature paintress". His work on [Enguerrand de] Monstrelet [(1400-1453), French chronicler] translation: first volume printed and second will be finished by March, keeps three printers constantly employed. Fire at Hafod House: his Venetian library in "grand confusion", having escaped the fire, but lost first volume of "Flora Graeca" and all "Linnean Transactions". Intends to restore library "as handsome as before".

Thanks for Smith's letters of 8 and 24 [February], gave his daughter [Mariamne Johnes] the packet of seeds. Believes lawyers and liars are "one and the same". Has not read Mrs [Anna Letitia] Barbauld's [(1743-1825), poet and essayist] book yet. Second volume of his [Enguerrand de] Monstrelet [(1400-1453), French chronicler] translation printed up to second volume but other frustrations have delayed publication. Pleased with the books he recently acquired, including five Caxtons. Shall forward Smith's letter to Ireland.

Admires [William] Roscoe's pamphlet and thinks [William] Cobbett's [(1763-1835), political writer and farmer] answer "clumsy". Considering a high relief of a Phoenix and Cicero motto in restoration of his burnt down library. Visiting Hanbury Williams in Bath before going on to London, who informs him that his brother is about to marry Miss Cuyler, daughter of the late general; he will have £3000 in hand and as much in money on death of Mr Knight, whose name he will take. Requests seeds of the "single tree peony" from Lady [Amelia] Hume.

Working hard to finish his literary work and constantly writes six sheets a week in preparation for spending the whole of next year visiting in the north. Confident Hafod House will be rebuilt [following a fire] and ready for habitation next September. Has long admired Smith's "bishop" [probably Samuel Goodenough, Bishop of Carlisle] from his speech on the "Catholic question" as it "effectually cuts off any further preferment"._x000D_

Discusses Laing's book, which shocked him. Has been told that "old Rose" is answering Mr Fox's book, he thinks this is a folly. Sorry [Nathaniel Edward] Kindersley did not call on him when travelling through this part of the country. Thanks to [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] they are all "vastly well", though Mrs Johnes caught cold at St Paul's, when the "grandest sight" he ever saw of "the Charity Children took place". Beddoes has been exceedingly ill. Reminds Smith of 'Paeonia' seeds of Lady [Amelia] Hume he thought he could acquire.

Received Smith's letter of 24 [April]. An Aberystwyth surgeon has used "cuperose" with great effect to cure a young man's epileptic fits, and will write to him if Lady Amelia Hume wants the medicine. "Great loss" in death of [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician]. Returns Smith's manuscript and has made only minor corrections, offers plan of the present house [for Smith's "A tour to Hafod" (1810)].

Complains of the "miserable criticism" the "Edinburgh [Review]" of his [Jean de] Joinville [(1224-1317), French chronicler] translation; suspects it was "fabricated here by an ancient supposed friend". Laments "change in men's minds in last year", "they all seem unhinged" and they have "no heads and no leaders".

His family's tour of the north: visited Edinburgh, the south country of Scotland, Westmoreland to visit the Bishop of Llandaff [Richard Watson (1737-1817)], then Liverpool, [Lancashire]. Asks if Smith has seen Mr Blundell's collections at Ince, [Lancashire], where there are very fine marbles including a Theseus; he made him present of the "real hand" of his Bachuus, which is now complete. Disappointed to return to find rebuilding of Hafod ongoing.

Wishes Smith would print something in his "Tour of Hafod" to contradict the rumours that the Hafod estate is entailed on the male line, and to state that his daughter [Mariamne Johnes] will inherit it all.