Received Smith's letter and enclosure of [Casper von] Voght's letter to Smith; his prices for wine are very satisfactory. Sorry Mr Gurney made so short a stay as he liked him and his family very much. Dr [James] Anderson's health very indifferent. Received a "very handsome" letter from [Thomas] Pennant enclosing one to Anderson. [Richard] Warner [(1763-1857), antiquary] as "rapid a publisher as he is a walker" and expects an account of his summer travels next spring [he visited Hafod], though did not like the company he brought with him. Advises Smith to hasten publication of his own "Tour" in case he is forestalled.

Many of his Russian seeds have come up. They have had finest harvest weather possible but fears incoming rain, hopes it clears before [Richard Payne] Knight [(1750-1824), classicist] visit, who has just lost his mother. Also expecting [Charles Howard, 11th] Duke of Norfolk [(1746-1815)] shortly. His "poor girl" [daughter, Mariamne Johnes] goes on "much as usual", and Dr [David] Davies and Mr Williams think her general health recovered: her back is flatter but tumour remains and she cannot walk in spite of constantly wearing Jones' machine and though they hear of many recovering "we seem to stand still". Fears French gaining "a foothold in Ireland". Asks if Smith has read [William] Eton's "Survey of Turkey", which has greatly amused him, "what rascals they must be!".

Corrects an error in his catalogue, 'Geranium phaeum' was found by Mr Severne of Aberly, Worcestershire, not Butt. Lord Valentia [George Annesley] disappointed not to see Smith on his return from Wales. Long list of habitats of plants found in northern England by Butt, including long description of 'Anchusa [officinalis]' with very rough sketch in pencil of the leaf, seeks Smith's opinion and offers to send specimen if required.

Thanks for Smith's "Tracts of Natural History", especially pleased with the account of [Conrad] Gesner [(1516-1565) Swiss naturalist]; discusses Gerard's death. Taking foxglove ['Digitalis'] for his anascara. Was introduced to Mrs Kindersley [a relation of Smith's] the last time he was at Bath, [Somersert]. Asks if Smith knows anyone who can give an account of the colours used in "Hindostan paintings", specifically if any are chemical.

Sending various works; 'Nova Genera Plantarum'.

Encloses specimen of undetermined 'Serapias' found at Stanford, [Worcestershire].

Received Smith's letter of 14 [September]. Yet to hear satisfactory answer about his bottles of wine: he used to import all his French wines and finds it strange that wines from Hamburg should be excepted, though the duty of 4 shillings per dozen is a prohibition except to "very extravagant fellows like myself". His daughter [Mariamne Johnes] thanks Smith for the biscuits; her health is the same but Mr Jones thinks her tumour is much reduced, though she cannot walk. Visits by Mr Galton, [Richard Payne] Knight [(1750-1824), classicist] and [Charles Howard, 11th] Duke of Norfolk [(1746-1815)] prove "that assessed taxes and all the associations armed or unarmed do not keep people at home".

Asks if Smith has seen article in the "Philosophical Magazine" on germination of old seeds with oxygenated muriatic acid; [Nikolaus] Jacquin of Vienna has made germ seeds of 100 and 120 years old. Intends to try it himself this spring and asks Smith to inquire of his chemical friends about making it cheap enough for "us common farmers to besprinkle our turnip seeds" as he believes it would prevent fly and slug. Ponders on the possibility of it being applied to humans in conjunction with article in another magazine in which a French man states he can make people live to the age of the patriarchs.

Thanks for Smith's letter; account of their recent movements. [Johann Georg Adam] Forster's [(1754-1794), botanist] herbarium has now arrived in London for him, the original herbarium of "Florulae Insularum Australium Prodromus", details of arrangement; some of the New Zealand plants could be similar to their New South Wales plants, useful for Smith's "New Holland Prodromus".

Received [William] Sole's book on mints, and fresh specimens of all his species, anxious to hear Smith's opinion on them. Received confirmation that Sole's 'Mentha pratensis' is a garden escape. Asks if Smith received two copies of Jacquin's "Hortus Schoembrunensis". Requests specimens of all Smith's new genera in "Linnean Transactions" vol 4. Asks after [William] Roxburgh. Sent [James] Sowerby 'Polypodium oreopteris' of [James] Dickson.

Relates events of [Edmund] Davall's death, which occured 26 September 1798. Davall had been confined to his bed for the last three weeks, describes his health in the run up to his death. Died as the apothecary was applying sinasims [mustard plasters] to his feet. Mrs Davall very miserable at her loss. Shocked by Swiss custom to dress and bury the dead in their best clothes, believes it is strongly insisted on by the lower classes. Davall has left Smith his Herbarium. Clark concerned that Davall's "splendid collection" of books shall be a heavy burden to the family in the current distressed condition of Switzerland and Europe. As he has no prospect of getting to France he shall shortly to return to England, having been away 14 months. Hubert sending his paper on bees soon.

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