Requests letters of introduction and recommendations of interesting places his eldest son's solo excursion to Scotland. Has heard [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert is suffering from a bladder complaint. His legs are better since last time Smith saw him and shortly intends a trip into Yorkshire as far as Wakefield, and will include a visit to [Richard] Salisbury.

Recently returned home from Yorkshire but his prevented him from making any botanical excursions. Saw [Richard] Salisbury at Fetherstone, near Pomfret [Pontefract], he intends to move to London within two years. Found 'Lythrum hyssopifolium' at Alconbury Hill and a 'Mentha' which he encloses for Smith's revision of that genus, thinks it closest to [William] Sole's 'Mentha pratensis' but without the strong smell of peppermint. Invites Smiths to visit them for the Bury Fair, saw Smith's brother at Wakefield.

Postscript note: "'Thlaspi campestre' an 'Thlaspi' vaccariae folio glabrum Raii [John Ray]".

Received visit from [Thomas] Marsham who says the 'Mentha' he sent Smith is 'Mentha sativa'; asks how figure in "English Botany" 448 resembles no.21 in [William] Sole's book ["Menthae Britannicae"]. Does not think Sole is a very skilled botanist, pointing out that Sole considers Dr [John] Hill [(c 1716-1775)] one of the first botanists. Hopes Smith received the parcel of Scottish plants sent by his son from Mr Bruce.

Hears "Flora Britannica" progresses well, recommends providing a reference for plants also appearing in "English Botany". Revd [Henry John] Wollaston has seen 'Senecio paludosus' growing abundantly in ditches near Brayford Water near Lincoln and at Nocton Fen on banks of River Witham leading to Boston, [Lincolnshire], proposes him as a FLS. Lately received letter from [Samuel] Goodenough. Dr [George] Shaw's 'Bradypus ursinus' was exhibited during the Bury Fair; agrees with [Thomas] Bewick's "Quadrupeds" that it is of the genus 'Ursus' and the animal in Bury is male whereas that shown in [Holborn] was a female, makes brief observations, in Latin.

Has so much work at the moment that he is glad to write as few letters as possible. Received the parcel of Scottish plants sent via Cullum's son though its contents not very important. The 'Mentha' Cullum sent is a small variety of the 'Mentha sativa' figured in "English Botany", agrees with Cullum's opinion [of the inferior botanical merits of William Sole]. Cannot adopt Cullum's proposal to reference "English Botany" plants in "Flora Britannica" as it already printing, objects to anticipating references, and intends to publish a pocket "Epitome" on an original plan of his own. Thanks for [Henry John] Wollaston's habitats for 'Senecio paludosus'. Does not agree with Cullum about 'Bradypus ursinus'. Beginning "Flora Graeca" next year. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert recovered slightly.