No summary available.

Glad Smith has received "Flora Oxoniensis", explains its rushed production and how it only contains plants he has seen. In his opinion latter classes of Linnaean system benefit from being "melted down amongst the others" but concern that in Germany the mixing has "almost spoiled its shape and form", disliking especially Gmelin's mixing of 'Icosandria' and 'Polyandria'. Was ill in Constantinople with a bilious fever and colic but has since conducted a full botanical exploration of the Bosphorus, woods of Belgrade, and sands of Domusderi on Black Sea. Has observed nearly 800 plants and obtained seeds of 'Daphne pontica' and 'Convolvulus persicus'. Queries 'Epimedium alpinum', ubiquitous in Belgrade woods which are barley mountainous. Frustration at custom of burning of forests, "very unfriendly to researches of the Cryptogamist", has only observed 'Boletus lucidus' the 'Boletus marginalis' of [Pehr Forsskål (1732-1763)]. 'Rosa centifolia' grows wild, pleasant odour from its mixing with 'Smilax'. Shores of Bosphorus poor in 'Fucus' and 'Testacea'. Collected fifty species of fish, many species of 'Labrus' present, inferior flavour of 'Julus' which is often sold in markets. Dolphins playful in the Bosphorus, gulls are as tame as pigeons. 'Procellaria puffinus' known locally as "souls of the damned". A 'Percnopterus' [Egyptian vulture] perched in the tree he was reading under, "I could not resist, not having the fear of the Egyptians before my eyes, to shoot it". Insects limited to scorpions, mosquitos, bugs and 'Conops calcitrans'. [John] Hawkins is in "high preservation" and has "huge mustaches, which he is nursing" for a Syrian and Egyptian tour. Travelling with Hawkins in Greece to Thessaly, Attica and the Peloponnesus and wintering in Zante. In short postscript states that [François] Borone is in good health, "in action quite a Le Fleur".

After a "long series of fatigue & ill health" he has shut up his business at Mercers' Hall and is leaving for Shepperton, [Middlesex], for three months to recoup his health and spirits. Hopes Smith's lectures have succeeded. Requests copy of Smith's "Travels".

Account of plants collected from his excursion in Glamorganshire and Cornwall, including: 'Asplenium marinum', 'Pinguicula villosa', 'Erica vagans', 'Anthericum ossifragum', 'Triglochin palustre', 'Littorella lacustris', 'Sison inundatum', 'Bartsia viscosa', 'Cuscuta europea', and an 'Anselea'/'Osmunda' never discovered in England before.

Has several young plants in his "H. gippor." coming to fructification and a correspondent in Penzance, [Cornwall], to send him specimens. Has other cryptogamia specimens for Smith if he calls at Ipswich on return to London, including 'Corrigiola littoralis' for [James] Sowerby. 'Capparis frondosa' flowered with him.

Has found new plants in Bengal including 'Asjogam' of "Hortus Malabaricus" vol 5 tab 59, thinks it a new genus and has named it after the late Sir William Jones ['Jonesia'] [(1746-1794) philologist and scholar of ancient India]. A manuscript of Jones' botanical observations to be posthumously printed in "Asiatic Researches" vol 4. Sends Jones' description of the 'Asjogam' and his own with drawing, hopes Smith can publish one. Has 400-500 drawings of plants to send by the next ships, his previously sent drawing of 'Nauclea orientalis' incorrectly labelled. Bark of 'Corchorus olitorius' and 'Corochorus capsularis' discovered to be equal to "the best flax" and will be a valuable export, it was mentioned by [Georg Eberhard] Rumphius and asks if it is known if "the ancients" or any other people substituted flax for it; the Bengali have long used it but only for cordage and twine uses, they believe 'Crotalaria juncea' is more valuable.

A duplicate copy of this letter was also sent.

This is letter is marked as a duplicate and was presumably sent at a later date to ensure arrival of at least one copy of the letter.

Has found new plants in Bengal including 'Asjogam' of "Hortus Malabaricus" vol 5 tab 59, thinks it a new genus and has named it after the late Sir William Jones ['Jonesia'] [(1746-1794) philologist and scholar of ancient India]. A manuscript of Jones' botanical observations to be posthumously printed in "Asiatic Researches" vol 4. Sends Jones' description of the 'Asjogam' and his own with drawing, hopes Smith can publish one. Has 400-500 drawings of plants to send by the next ships, his previously sent drawing of 'Nauclea orientalis' incorrectly labelled. Bark of 'Corchorus olitorius' and 'Corochorus capsularis' discovered to be equal to "the best flax" and will be a valuable export, it was mentioned by [Georg Eberhard] Rumphius and asks if it is known if "the ancients" or any other people substituted flax for it; the Bengali have long used it but only for cordage and twine uses, they believe 'Crotalaria juncea' is more valuable.

In postscript additional to the original letter writes that the majority of the season's ships have arrived but without letters from Smith or Mr Molesworth, fears some of his letters to Europe may have been lost.

Has obtained a copy of [Johan Christian] Fabricius' "Entomologia systematica emendata et aucta" for Smith.

No summary available.

Received Smith's letter from Bungay, [Suffolk]; they are disappointed that Smith cannot visit and sorry to hear of Smith's sore throat, which many have complained of this season, his wife's medicines are not yet arrived. His wife thanks Smith for Mr Wilson's New Holland seeds, scarcely any plants have succeeded this year though they have "a fine yellow 'Hibiscus' in flower from seeds given by Smith, offers to send flower or plant. His garden doing well; vindication of those who thought it impossible. Late rains brought grass and turnips but cattle "very low indeed", which he blames on lack of fodder from England's drought last summer. Has not yet visited the "Chalybat" [mineral spring found close to Johnes' house] but from the taste it appears very strong and according to Dr [David] Davies of Carmarthen the strongest in Wales._x000D_

"That wild girl still continues as wild in her wishes to go to India" [Johnes' sister, Charlotte] and asks Smith if Mrs Kindersley would taker her under her protection when she sails, though they are all uneasy about it. Compares his sister to [Jean de] La Fontaine's [(1621-1695), French fabulist] letter of "the pigeon that wishes to travel".