Silk for purses to be had at Gardons, St James's Street, London. Arrived back in Hafod from London late on evening of New Year's Day, which was like being "awakened from a frightful dream". An incident in London has made him "look on mankind with no friendly eye". Dr [James] Anderson has been "most amazingly active here", including starting work on a pensile garden for his daughter [Mariamne Johnes], and he is satisfied with his own gardens.

Everything quiet and "perfectly tranquil" in this part of the country; bread is 6lb wheat, 6lb rye, and 9lb potatoes, "which is equally good, to my taste, as yours at Hammersmith".

Thanks for Smith's letter of 21 [January]. Waiting to see Smith to fully explain his personal affairs; found that when "money comes into competition with [...] friendship the last vanishes away like an airy vision".

Suggests contents for Smith's proposed "short Tour" of his part of Wales, "which are hitherto maiden", for it to be published by Edwards will publish and for it to include "beautiful" drawings of his own and of Colonel Greville's, which alongside Smith's writing will "answer for the sale being very great".

They have had fine weather but very great storms of wind, rain, and thunder; many of his sheep killed by lightning. Introduced "capital improvements" in the economy of forcing plants and fruit in his garden.

Congratulates Smith on his marriage, which he saw announced in the Times newspaper. Read [Eberhard August Wilhelm von] Zimmermann a long time ago but "with great pleasure" and asks if Smith knows Lavater's "Journal", printed for Cadell in two small volumes.

'Strelitzia' and 'Illicium floridanum' in fine flower, the first drawn by his daughter [Mariamne Johnes] "incomparably well". Gives directions for delivery of the insect cabinet Smith promised her. His friend [Robert] Liston [(1742-1836)] has also recently married "an old flame", has not heard if he brought him anything from Constantinople and he is now to be ambassador to America. During the dry and sharp weather he burnt some furze covered mountains; "one of the grandest sights I ever witnessed".

Arrangements for payment for china for Smith. Smith's wife a "fine lady" in contrast to "most ridiculous account" sent him of a near relation of his at the opera, who most resembled a "Lamia or Sphinx". Asks if Smith has seen [Richard Payne] Knight's [(1750-1824), classicist] poem and Cumberland's account of Hafod.

"Curious golden ornaments" recently ploughed up at Dolecathy [near Hafod] and uncertain whether they are Roman or religious ornaments of ancestors. Sent Sir Jospeh Banks a "most exact drawing" of them by Trossavelli, and his daughter [Mariamne Johnes] will send Smith copy by same. Mariamne has "succeeded most surprisingly" in drawing 'Strelitzia' from nature for Smith, she also has one for Dr [James] Anderson.