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.

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.