Arrived safely at Hafod and gives details of his journey from Gloucestershire, including visit to Gloucester cathedral, overnight stay at Abergavenny, and Welsh hospitality. His patient, Mariamne Johnes, "looks more healthy than last year"; the "projection of her back is rounder, not sharp" with no appearance of any matter making its way out as feared, and the machine has "done wonders" and though its maker, Jones, has managed her well he is a drunkard. Mr Tait, an architect, is staying.

[Letter incomplete: text missing, presumed destroyed]

Replies to Pleasance's letter of 15 [April 1798]. Account of his journey to Oxford. Account of visit to Peter Collinson's [(1694-1768)] garden at Mill Hill, [Middlesex], with [Aylmer Bourke] and [Catherine] Lambert. Attended Mrs [Sarah] Siddon's [(1755-1831), actress] benefit with Mrs Lambert, "The Stranger" and "The Devil to Pay" were performed; his opinion. Arrangements for travelling to Hafod, [Cardiganshire, home of Thomas Johnes]. Opinion of others on the Welsh views. Home in June to meet Frederick and Emma [Smith's brother and sister-in-law].

[Letter incomplete: second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Preparations by Oxford academics in case of invasion. Account of his journey to Hafod [home of Thomas Johnes]. His patient, [Mariamne Johnes], not as well as expected; a lumbar abscess in her thigh. Glad Pleasance does not seem "really unhappy about the invasion"; he expects they will keep the country in suspense; trusts the Navy will prevent any landings.

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] appear to be missing, presumed destroyed]

Approves of Pleasance's arrangements as to the cook, Betty Laws; a joke about her size confounding Bonaparte's invasion plans. Account of his journey from London to Liverpool, via Northampton, Lichfield, Stafford, and Chester. On arrival in Liverpool received by his old friend Thomas Taylor, where he is staying, with Taylor's nephew, Meadows. Refreshing air of Liverpool. Delighted with [William] Roscoe; opinion of his person and character. Promised 100 subscribers to his lectures, paying 2 guineas each; after journey expects to clear £180. Has spent £70 on books of [Edmund] Davall; his library sold "very cheap"; lists books purchased. Leaves it to Pleasance to decide on being godmother to "little Wilkinson", though he dislikes "such ties". [John] Koster, a friend of Correa's, thinks the war ill-judged, and that Correa was made insane by his persecutors in Lisbon. His lectures.

Account of his Liverpool "adventures". Visited the Octagon Chapel, named after their own in Norwich; dined with [William] Roscoe at Allerton [Roscoe's home, near Liverpool], description of house, grounds, and family; visit to Dr Brandreth; visit to Mr Blundell and his Italian collections; dined with Dr Currie.

His lectures: has given two so far, attended by "all the beauty & fashion of the place, as well as by the learned"; William, [Smith's brother], surprised by his oratory, as he never aims at more than "plainness"; finances. Visiting [John] Koster, who was Consul at Lisbon, and was a great friend to Correa and Broussonet in their distresses; convinced the current war is "nearly certain ruin". His mother and Sarah happy at Blackheath.

During his journey to London a horse fell under the carriage and they were forced to walk to Newmarket, [Cambridgeshire], rest of journey uneventful but became unwell on reaching London. Called on Sir Thomas Frankland, Mrs [Amelia] Opie [(1769-1853), author], and Sir Joseph Banks', where he saw [Richard] Salisbury, Mr Westall, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, the Pattersons, and [Sir Abraham and Amelia] Hume. Cold weather more suited to him in London than warm. Account of visit to Somerset House [home of the Royal Society], with Prince of Wales [George IV (1762-1830)] in attendance.

[Letter incomplete: part of first folio cropped, and fragment of second folio appended to recto of first]

He has consulted Dr Pictairn about his condition, who says they are the usual consequence of erysipelas. His meetings and entertainments in London: he, William, and the Kindersleys [Smith's cousins] dined at Mrs Munro's, wife of his old Edinburgh friend, at Blackheath, [Kent]; time in Greenwich; went to Lee's; a concert at William Smith's; chatted with Lord [Charles] Stanhope [3rd Earl Stanhope (1753-1816) about politics; William Smith took him to meet [Charles James] Fox [(1749-1806), politician], now has an open invitation to St Anne's Hill, [Surrey, Fox's home]. Has made "bold push" for £100 for his Royal Institution lectures next year. Rudeness of Mrs Marsham. Sixty diners at Linnean Society anniversary meeting.

His lectures ended on 4 June; the last very well attended and applauded, even though it was entirely without preparation. His time here with Sir William and Lady East; her liver complaint. They are to visit the Marquis of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill]. [Thomas] Velley killed on Sunday at Reading by jumping from an out of control coach; if he had stayed seated he would have lived. Norwich paving bill past in House of Lords, with opposition.

His lectures have not lost any credit and he has been engaged again for next spring. Resolved to publish an "introductory book" on botany before next spring; fears Mrs [Jane] Barrington will not live to receive the dedication. Happy Dr [Henry] Reeve is to settle in Norwich. William with him [Smith's brother?].

Recent meetings and dinners, including with: Mrs Weddell and Mr and Mrs Marsden at C Scott's; Sir Abraham Hume; the David Martineaus; Mr and Mrs Hanbury, G Kett and his wife, two of the Hoares, some Barclays, and Mr Carlisle at Mr Barclay's; William Smith; R Westall's; Edward Forster; C Weston and Revd J Ives; Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North], best of all his bishop friends, and his "amiable though unhappily deformed daughter". Received Red Sea shells and bottle of true Balsam of Mecca or Balm of Gilead from Lord Valentia [George Annesley]; a party at Valentia's; Valentia's odious enemy Gawler looked on much like [Richard] Salisbury; Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington] says Salisbury has no chance of getting either the Roxburgh estate or title he is trying for.

Future visits to see Lord Elgin's "fine statues" brought from Athens; Mr Vere's garden at Kensington; Mr Cure; and Thomas Forster. Letter from Fanny [Smith's sister] expresses their highest satisfaction for Smith's letter on Salisbury, to which all concur. [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden], the gardener, has lost his only son to a fever in Jamaica. Intends to go to Liverpool after return to Norwich. Thinks report in May issue of "Monthly Magazine" "very handsome & amicable" to himself and "very severe" on Salisbury.

[Letter incomplete: last lines of second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Accouunt of a dinner at William Smith's. Attending Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Lord Valentia [George Annesley] has given him many new shells. His future plans, including visits to Blackheath, and giving 6 more lectures, ending on 14 June.

Account of Linnean Society anniversary meeting; [Richard] Salisbury and others did not vote; the dinner attended by 63 people, the largest number yet, including Bishops of Winchester and Carlisle [respectively Brownlow North and Samuel Goodenough], Lord Valentia [George Annesley], Sir Abraham Hume, Sir Thomas Gage, and [John] Symmons. A toast was made to him by Valentia, stating that whatever the Linnean Society is or has been is owed to Smith, and he presented Goodenough and [Thomas] Marsham as being with him the first 3 projectors of the Society.

Visited Sir Joseph Banks this morning and was discussing botany with [Jonas] Dryander and [Robert] Brown when Salisbury entered; his "Paradisus [Londinensis]" stopped for want of money, though Banks gave Hooker £50; spoke civilly to Salisbury at Linnean Society about a 'Narcissus' that was there; Salisbury looks thin and pale, and Brown "cannot abide him". Thinks his and [James] Sowerby's new work will proceed; details. His "Introduction [to Botany]" praised by all the people he most depends on. Attended opera with [James] Crowe and family. Future visits to Blackheath and Kew; [William Townsend] Aiton was at the dinner.

Letter scented with balm of Gilad.

His health: consulted Dr Baillie and [William George] Maton, who both confirm his ideas; Maton says that none of the College preparations of antimony are as good as James's powder. He has two patients: Sophia Goodenough and his aunt Kindersley, the latter very weak and incapable of recovery. His trip to Cambridge to see William [Fitt Drake]; meetings and dinners. His time in London; meetings and dinners. William Smith and resignation of the Duke of York [Prince Frederick (1763-1827), son of George III, resigned as Commander-in-Chief following scandal caused by mistress selling army commissions]. Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] made a vice-president of the Royal Society. Lady Amelia Hume suffering epileptic fits.

Account of his time in London: breakfasted with [Sir Abraham and Lady Amelia] Hume; Lord Dartmouth [George Legge, 3rd Earl of Dartmouth (1755-1810)] has promised a ticket for the "Antient Music"; came from Wormleybury, [Hertfordshire, home of the Humes], on Saturday, gave a lecture, and attended Royal Academy dinner, where William Smith introduced him to William Wilberforce [(1759-1833), abolitionist] and Duke of Bedford [John Russell, 6th Duke], sat next to [Samuel] Rogers [(1763-1855)] the poet; the exhibition poor; felt feverish the next day.

Requests copy of extracts from Fuseli's "Aphorisms". Resolved to not go further than reptiles in his lectures now, and will leave fish, insects, and worms for another year; course ends 16 May. Offered to make Lord Darmouth an Honorary Member of the Linnean Society, he deferred. Court party uneasy about the city agitations and dread Sir Fra[...]s's liberation. [Richard] Westall [(1765-1836), painter] exhibiting his pictures at his house; he is "very kind, as usual".

[Letter incomplete: small cropped section pasted over second folio, missing text presumed destroyed. Comparison of the paper of the two folios suggests this may have once been two separate letters]

His journey from Oxford to Hall Place. His time in London, including seeing [Thomas] Forster, Mr and Mrs Lee, Mrs Barbauld, the Aikins, including Lucy Aikin [(1781-1864), historical writer], whose poem on women is "very admirable"; Mr Thomson of Russell Square, now a master in Chancery; attended a party at Mrs Weddell's with the C Scotts, meeting Mrs [Amelia] Opie [(1769-1853), author], the Rudges, Wilbrahams, Mr and Mrs Frere, and Sir H Englefield. Proposed to the Dilettanti club by Lord Borringdon; intends to join. Oppressive weather in London. Lord Erskine has called on him twice to consult about willows, recommended by William Smith. His "Hafod Tour"; payment and gifting of copies. Intends to dedicate his "Lapland Tour" to Thomas Forster of Clapton, [Essex].

[Letter incomplete: second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Account of the dinner at Somerset House [home of the Royal Academy] at which the Prince Regent [George IV (1762-1830)] was present and made a speech in which he pledged himself to support the arts, and in which he praised the exhibition and artists, including [Benjamin] West [(1738-1820), painter and president of the Royal Academy 1806-1820]; West's speech kept them in "agony".

His first two lectures "more splendidly & fully attended" than any he ever had; they are held on Mondays and Tuesdays. London meetings. Consulted by Mrs J Lane about an abridgement of Gibbon she has in hand. Wearing mourning for T Smith; surprise at suddenness of Leyson Cooper's death. [William] Roscoe may be coming to the Installation and to Holkham, [Norfolk]. Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington] to become Honorary Member of the Linnean Society.

Has not written since 29 April [1811]. Her manuscript is at Longman's, no answer as yet. Hopes her parents are recovering their health. Journal type entries of his dinners and meetings in London. His "Hafod Tour" may pay its expenses, but no more, for this year at least. The Dilettanti club rejected him and everyone else proposed last year, though he had the fewest black balls.

[William Fitt] Drake working "diligently & extremely well" for the "Cyclopedia", a great help to him. Dr [Martin] Davy of Caius [College, Cambridge] is married, so does not expect an invitation to the installation, but he is coming to London 24 May; will come out of mourning but return to it the next day for George W. Attended parties at Mrs Weddell's, and Sir Joseph Banks', [Richard] Salisbury also in attendance, the first party he has met him at since they separated. Dined at William Smith's. His next lecture to be very general, "on the parts & structure of plants".

[Letter incomplete: second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Ill-health. Account of a visit to Kew; party at C Scott's; Linnean Society anniversary meeting, at which [Richard] Salisbury voted, and who is now "more troublesome by civility & deference" in botanical conversation; [Edward] Rudge suspected of stealing specimens from Sir Joseph Banks; concerned by progress of "Cyclopedia"; dined at William Smith's; dined at [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's, where he met Mr and Mrs Cator, who have papers of Peter Collinson's [(1694-1768)]; gave his last lecture, much applauded; breakfast with William Roscoe and [William Jackson] Hooker; a visit to Westminster Abbey with William Smith and the Miss Smiths; Thomas Forster; rejected papers of Rudge's as they were designed to "plague" [Robert] Brown and were instigated by [Richard] Salisbury; visited Lady Cremorne at Chelsea, her character; Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North]; the Jones's; the Fairbairns; Sir Thomas and Lady Cullum; at the Davenports' met Henry Warburton [(1784-1858), merchant]. Their cousin William Daniel has sent his "picturesque book on animals".

Pleased at account of her mother's recovery. Has not seen his cousin [Richard] Westall's [(1765-1836), painter] illustrations of [Walter] Scott's [(1771-1832), author] works yet. [Richard] Salisbury has been "thrusting himself forward" to talk with himself and [William Jackson] Hooker at Sir Joseph Banks'; Banks gave Salisbury a "rough rub" about changing plant names.

Received £66 16s for his lectures and expenses. Account of his journey to Westhorp [Kindersley home, Smith's cousins] and description of the setting and house; Sir George Nugent [(1757-1849), army officer] visited yesterday. Their future plans, including visits to Hall Place [home of Sir William and Lady East]. Accounts she has of the King [George III (1738-1820)] exaggerated, at least to his dying. Dinners at William Smith's with Hooker; Bishop of Winchester's [Brownlow North]; [Alexander] Macleay's, with food and drink listed; [William George] Maton's; account of visit to Formosa, an island in the Thames owned by Mr Young.

Hopes Pleasance has allowed her "light to shine before men, & women too" [following Smith's knighthood on 28 July 1814]; announcements in newspapers; their cards are done; lists those who attended the ceremony; reactions of friends and servants; he is now obliged to call and leave his card at many places, which otherwise he would not now do. Intends to visit Spring Grove [Sir Joseph Banks' home in Isleworth, Middlesex]; visiting a Mr and Mrs Paterson near Edgware; seeing Lord Essex's Cashiobury, [Hertfordshire], [George Capell-Coningsby, 5th Earl of Essex (1757-1839)]. Account of a fair and celebrations in Hyde Park. Bought a "pretty set of tea china".

[Letter incomplete: lower third of second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Sorry to have missed opportunity of meeting [William] Roscoe. Her admiration for Roscoe: considers him "the friend to human welfare, as well as the philosopher, the accomplished scholar, and the Poet", and praises his efforts in abolishing the slave trade.