Sends parcel from [William] Borrer and a few drawings, including part of a sketch of 'Tremella sarcoides' as he is confident it is young state of another plant; observations. Asks after variety of 'Primula veris' sent some years ago by [Charles] Abbot, figured some years ago in "Annales du Museum" [1808] under name 'P. perreiniana'.

Unsigned.

Received the 5 drawings [for "Flora Graeca"] safely. Hopes to received money from [Thomas] Platt soon [(d 1842), one of John Sibthorp's executors, supervised the publication of "Flora Graeca"]. Received lichens from [Charles] Lyell but has experienced problems with microscope; requests drawing of 'Lichen caesiferus'. Thanks for Smith's condolences on death of his daughter, Felicia.

[Written on recto of proof page from "English Botany" no 1916, dated 1 August 1808]

Only lately received Smith's letter of 17 August [1807]; concerned he had lost Smith's correspondence. Praises Smith's "Introduction to Botany", which "will be the means of highly improving the theoretical part of [his] summer course"; the elementary texts he in general recommends his students are [James] Lee's "Introduction to Botany", [Jean-Jacques] Rousseau's [(1712-1778), philosopher] "Elements [of botany]", "Philosophia Botanica", and translations of Willdenow.

Smith missed opportunity to use his "Plantae rariores" as authority for 'Adiantum capillus-veneris' in "English botany" v22 1564, for which Smith credited [James Townsend] Mackay [(1775-1862), curator of Botanic Garden, Trinity College, Dublin], as did [Dawson] Turner in his "admirable" "Fucus" work.

Apologises for sending overweight parcel. Sent [James] Sowerby flowering specimens of true Irish 'Arbutus unedo' for mention in "English botany" and for honour of Ireland and its natural productions. Dr [Robert] Scott [(1757-1808)], professor of botany at [Trinity College, Dublin] deprived of his post without any equitable cause assigned. Asks if there are to be any new additions to new edition of Smith's "Tour of the Continent".

Stayed last week at Beckenham Park with [John Barwell] Cator who has recently inherited the estates of his uncle [John Cator (1728-1806)], who was married to [Peter] Collinson's [(1694-1768)] daughter, [Mary]. Collinson's books and manuscripts there, including last edition of [Philip] Miller's "Dictionary" full of Collinson's observations, intends to publish them. Received "fine China drawings" from Lady de Clifford. Plans to send Smith his just finished "suppl[ement]".

Has been investigating the Dinagepour [Dinajpur] district of India but has had very little botanical success due to the season being unfavourable although optimistic about spending the spring in the Assam region. Sends seeds of 'Ocimum sanctum' [Holy Basil] and a species which is probably the 'Ocimum gratissimum' of Linnaeus so as to allow Smith to clear up any doubts and the differences between these and the Sweet Basil.

Comments on "Babui Toolsee" [babui tulsi, Hindi] and seeds which give "fine nourishment", perplexed that the natives give preference to the other plant which has "nothing remarkable about it". States that the "Encycl. Method." names 'Ocimum basilicum' as the holy Toolsy [tulsi] of the Hindus but believes what he is sending is the real plant, which is cultivated, whilst the "Babui Toolsee" grows wild.

Thanks for turkey, which they had on Christmas Day. Praises Smith's "Introduction to Botany", not surprised the preface has been complimented so much; he has heard that [Richard] Salisbury is "not quite pleased with some parts of it".

Thanks for turkey and gift of one of his works, compliments Smith on this and his writing on the Garden of Eden for [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia". Received a walking stick of 'Mimosa longifolia' from Lord Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill], also received two new specimens of 'Coniferae'[?]. Would like to write on Whiteknights [Lord Blandford's home and garden in Reading, Berkshire] as Stephen Western wrote on Paris. [George] Jackson has been copying the manuscripts and observations in Peter [Collinson]'s [(1694-1768)] collections at Beckenham Park, asks Smith to review it and advise on how best to publish it. Lord Valentia's [George Annesley] "Travels" will begin printing next week.

Encloses part of his paper to be read at Linnean Society. He is not anxious about [Richard] Salisbury's "censures" regarding his preface [to "Introduction to Botany"] and does not expect him to renew his attacks; justifies his own response to Salisbury's conduct. Pleased by [Samuel] Goodenough's "advancement" [made Bishop of Carlisle], and hopes [Thomas] Marsham is well, "for he is one whom we could not spare".

Has finished looking over [Peter] Collinson's [(1694-1768)] manuscripts, still deciding whether to print Collinson's garden catalogue. "Our worthy friend" [Richard Salisbury] has called several times, saying "as usual a thousand things he did not mean", supposes Smith has seen the compliment to him in last number of "Par[adisus Londinensis]". Received what he believes is specimen of 'Juniperus oxycedrus' from Lord Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill], asks Smith to send specimen of same for comparison.

Sends copy of [Peter] Collinson's [(1694-1768)] manuscripts for approval. Purchased from Lord Bute [John Stuart, 1st Marquess of Bute (1744-1814)] the last part of herbarium of "Garcin" which contains all of Haller's plants including Haller's 'Orchidiae', and Lord Bute's herbarium, which he intends to go to a friend.

Sends twenty-third and twenty-fourth numbers of "Exotic Botany", completing the work; expects no further numbers. Sends specimens of 'Ophrys corallorhiza' gathered last summer near Edinburgh by Edward John Maughan [(1790-1863), civil servant], he also found 'Buxbaumia aphylla'. The 'Ophrys' is growing in his garden and about to flower, the root smells of 'Epidendrum vanilla'. Sends collection of franks for Sir Thomas Heselrige, including one of [William] Roscoe's. Roscoe's recent pamphlet recommending peace; as his opposition to the slave trade led him to be called a deist expects him to be called an atheist for this one; first edition sold out in several days; the abuse the ministerial papers give it shows their "dread & respect" of it.

Linnean Society well attended but has a lack of papers, he is supplying papers on germination of seeds and British 'Hieracium', with more to follow; it is the way he best likes to merit his situation in the Society. His "Introduction [to Botany"] seems "much liked", hopes it will be useful. Second fasciculus of "Flora Graeca", all the grasses, soon appearing; the sequel of "Flora Britannica" to be his "leading object". Rejoices at [Samuel] Goodenough's elevation [to Bishop of Carlisle]. [James] Crowe's careless will has set all his family at odds.

Sends copies of medal and jeton struck in honour of Linnaeus, apologises for poor quality. Agrees with Smith that botany is an "introduction to amiable characters", it is inspiring philanthropy in him. Comments on Lord Beauclere's epitaph in Westminster Abbey [Lord Aubrey Beauclerk (? 1710-1741) naval officer]. Received New Holland [Australian] plants from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, pleased that so many are named after botanists. Recollects his visit to Norfolk to [James] Crowe's Salicetum and collecting 'Verbascum pulverulentum' and ['Scabiosa']. Leaving Europe shortly, fears he will not be able to meet [Dawson] Turner or [William] Roscoe. Compliments Smith's "Introduction to Botany".

Thanks for copy of Smith's "Introduction to Botany". Comments on error on page 263 regarding a 'Liliaceous' plant found by him on north-west coast of America, encloses note [extant] written by [Richard] Salisbury in margin of Sir Joseph Banks' copy of book stating same, offers to send the drawings and descriptions for Smith to reexamine.

Complains about his publisher White who has not sent out books as promised and made imperfect copies of Lambert's book. Complains about an individual [possibly Richard Salisbury] who borrowed Lambert's copy of [Charles] Konig's work on ferns and made notes in the book. After discussion with [Robert] Brown also observed that this individual did the same in Sir Joseph Banks' copy of Smith's "Introduction" in reference to "Menzies plant", a dispute over how he obtained his information. Lord Valentia [George Annesley] has just had a "dreadful operation", the first sheet of his "'Travels" has just been printed, intends addressing Salisbury severely in the first volume over his "very indecent paper". Has just written an account of his own herbarium for possible publication.

Replies to Roscoe's letters of 15 November and 16 December. Disappointed not to see Roscoe this summer and impatient for Roscoe's notes on 'Canna' species. Last paper of second volume of "Exotic botany" published and hopes to settle a permanent plan for its continuation or a new one like it next spring. Has written papers on British 'Hieracium', "papilionaceous decandrous plants of New Holland", three diadelphous genera, and working on one on 'Arenaria' to resolve dearth of papers at Linnean Society meetings, which are otherwise "very fully" attended. Second parts of "Flora Graeca" and "Florae Graecae prodromus" ready for publication. Thanks for Roscoe's praise of his paper on "shall & will" [in October 1807 issue of the "Athenaeum"] and "Introduction to Botany"; half the edition is sold; will only correct a new edition.

Thanks for Roscoe's political pamphlet [on war with France, see RelatedMaterial below], which he agrees with entirely; further comments. Has completed 3000 species for Liverpool [Botanic Garden] herbarium. [Richard] Salisbury and Andrews, "a rogue & a fool, a happy conjunction!", have combined to criticise Roscoe's 'Scitamineae' principle. Has written to editor of the "Monthly Magazine" about [William Fordyce] Mavor [(1758-1837)], who wrote Botany Report for this month's issue, and who was rejected by Linnean Society; expects it will be published next month.

Printed letter informing Smith of his election as a non-resident member of Wernerian Natural History Society, signed by Neill as Secretary. Neill has written to Smith on second folio, concedes that the name of the new society "is not very happy" and although named in honour of [Abraham Gottlob] Werner [(1749-1817) German geologist] it will not focus on mineralogy. [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow's book ["The principles of botany"] marred by its faulty translation.

Thanks for Smith's letters of 8 and 24 [February], gave his daughter [Mariamne Johnes] the packet of seeds. Believes lawyers and liars are "one and the same". Has not read Mrs [Anna Letitia] Barbauld's [(1743-1825), poet and essayist] book yet. Second volume of his [Enguerrand de] Monstrelet [(1400-1453), French chronicler] translation printed up to second volume but other frustrations have delayed publication. Pleased with the books he recently acquired, including five Caxtons. Shall forward Smith's letter to Ireland.

Admires [William] Roscoe's pamphlet and thinks [William] Cobbett's [(1763-1835), political writer and farmer] answer "clumsy". Considering a high relief of a Phoenix and Cicero motto in restoration of his burnt down library. Visiting Hanbury Williams in Bath before going on to London, who informs him that his brother is about to marry Miss Cuyler, daughter of the late general; he will have £3000 in hand and as much in money on death of Mr Knight, whose name he will take. Requests seeds of the "single tree peony" from Lady [Amelia] Hume.

Would have complied with Smith's wishes relative to the new 'Liliaceous' genus but [Richard] Salisbury has published it in last number of "Paradisus Londinensis" as 'Hookera coronaria'; transcribes the entry.

Whilst suffering a severe attack of gout 3 years ago, was recommended the Kingslandian system by Colonel Montagu, but it seized his head and eye and led to further complications. Hopes to begin studying botany again this year. Sent [James] Sowerby specimen of 'Hyacinthus comosus' of Jacquin, wild in this county; observations. Unable to confirm if 'Cypripedium calecol' is a Berkshire plant; believes his friend may have been deceived by foliage of 'Orchis mascula'. An 'Alca aller' was shot inland in early November, by presence of which he portended a long or severe winter. Encloses paper by [James] Bicheno on "the sleep of plants" for Linnean Society.

Sends his promised paper [extant, extracted from "Monthly Magazine" May 1803]. Hopes he will be able to entertain Smith again soon.

"On the Use of the Words "Shall" and "Will", extracted from "Monthly Magazine" May 1803, 2pp.