Has been at Norwich for some time and was at Yarmouth, [Norfolk], where he saw the "puritanic brown locks" of Lilly Wigg [(1749-1828), botanist] and [Dawson] Turner. Hopes Woodward will be visiting Norwich during the Assize week, otherwise proposes to meet at Dr [Nicholas] Gwyn's.

Urges Smith to contrive a way to visit him at Bungay. Glad Smith met [Dawson] Turner at Yarmouth, [Norfolk]; a "very clever young man [who] will make an excellent botanist"; comments on Lilly Wigg's appearance [(1749-1828), botanist]. Dry weather spoiled the 'Stratiotes' he promised [James] Sowerby. Suffered a strong "fever fit" for several hours last night.

Her Sierra Leone bulbs are now in flower and invites Smith and [Jonas] Dryander to inspect them and [James] Sowerby to draw them. She has been extremely ill but is now recovering.

Introduces Dr Rasori, the bearer of this letter, who is in London to compliment his medical studies and brings copies of the Italian translation of Smith's "Introductory Discourse". Rasori has translated into Italian the work of the late Brown [John Brown (1735-1788), Scottish physician ?], it is a valuable work but resisted by older doctors. Requests introductions to Mr Simmons, Hunter, and Crookshank for Rasori.

Received Smith's letter of 2 July and parcel of plants via Mandrot. Apologises for upsetting Smith with anecdote of arrogant apothecary; his love of Smith and apprecitation of his work. Davall considered impertinent to be meddling with Swiss plants. Intends his herbarium to be richer and more correct herbarium than those who get their plants from botanic gardens of Gottingen and Tubingen; when François [Borone] returns to England wishes to adopt plan for receiving specimens from English gardens. Surprised how many of the Botany Bay plants received from Smith are '-oides'.

Wishes to exchange plants with [Thomas] Woodward mentioned in [William] Withering's ["Botanical arrangement"]. Enjoying "English Botany" especially the maritime plants; suggests figuring 'Lichen omphalodes' because [Georg Franz] Hoffmann figured it as his 'pulvernlentus' "Enumeratio lichenum" p.76 based on [John] Lightfoot's '[Lichen] stellaris' and Hoffmann in "Plantae Lichenosa" vol 1 p.40 says this plant is not 'omphalodes'. Laments confusion caused by the "compilating labours of so many authors who pretend to give instruction on objects they never saw" and notes additional error in Hoffmann's "Enumeratio" regarding Lightfoot's 'plumbeus' and 'squamosus'. Intrigued by "English Botany's" 'Galium pusillum' and 'Thlaspi alpestre' and exclusively sends Smith seeds of 'Thlaspi montanum'.

Botanical observations on seeds sent to exclusively to Smith: 'Avena strigosa' Retzius; 'Mespilus (Crataegus) chamaemespilus'; 'Myagrum' no. 19 of his parcel by Mandrot 1793; an 'Ononis' not in Linnaeus no. 82 of parcel by Gooch February 1790; 'Thlaspi montanum' Haller "Historia stirpium" No.518 raised from three seeds found on wild plant 2 August 1791 near "famous 'Pierre pertuis'" as indicated by Haller not far from Soncebau, further observations on his plant; knows nothing of 'Thlaspi praecox'. Botanical observations on seeds sent to Smith and Aiton: 'Prenanthes viminea', 'Scabiosa hybrida' Allioni, 'Veronica praecox' Allioni.

Critiques [Nikolaus von] Jacquin "Collectanea ad botanicam" vol 4 p.220 citing 'Alstromeria pelegrina' in his "Hortus Botanicus Vindobonensis" without giving figure of fruit; Davall has 'Antirrhinum arvense' for Jacquin's 'A. parviflorum' in "Collectanea" vol 4 p.204 as confirmed by Smith's answer to no.17 of parcel by Mandrot 1791.

Thanks Smith for seed of 'Silene anglica', sends seed of 'Silene bellidifolia'. Delighted by 'Orchideae' in "English Botany", especially 'Ophrys loeselii' and 'Malaxis paludosa'. Sends specimens of 'Orchis abortiva' including flowers in brandy and 'Carex' specimens for [Samuel] Goodenough's paper, one 'C. leporina' of "Flora Lapponica". 'Orchis ustulata' very common in Switzerland. Prefers Rivinus' figure of 'Melampyrum cristatum' to that in "English Botany".

Instructions from Mrs Davall to Miss Smith for knitting a purse. Instructions for sending parcels to Switzerland unharmed. Intends to commission Messrs Minier, Marson & Teesdale to send provision of garden seeds every autumn. Hoping to send paper for Linnean Society on 'Schoenus ferrugineus' based on drawing and work of Mr DuCros, the only botanist he associates with in Switzerland; does not consider Wyttenbach a botanist. Recommends DuCros as an FMLS, his favourite study is mosses and he sent [James] Dickson cryptogamia.

Postscript on left hand margin of verso of second folio: wrote glad [William] Aiton [(1731-1793)] was pleased with the 'Arenaria grandiflora' he sent, they talk much of his 'Morina' and has asked Aiton to send any seeds to Smith. Additional postscript on left hand margin of verso of first folio: severe drought in Switzerland. Additional postscript on left hand margin of recto of first folio: Smith to expect plants by middle of September, and header of first folio; his infant son healthy.

Sends seaside plants to be drawn for "English botany", including: 'Santolina maritima', 'Euphorbia paralias', 'Nordeum maritimum', and 'Atriplex laciniata'. Also sending specimen of 'Pyrola maculata', a very rare American plant, for "Spicilegium [botanicum]", a new 'Campanula', garden specimen of 'Galeopsis villosa' for "English botany", and 'Mentha exigua'.

Sending parcel of 50 'Santolina' specimens to be forwarded to [James] Dickson for his "Hortus Siccus Brittanicus". Asks Sowerby to send two copies of ; requests him to send by coach two copies of "A specimen of the botany of New Holland" for [William Beeston] Coyte and Mrs [Elizabeth] Cobbold.

Introduces Jean Rasovi, a doctor and surgeon from Parma who is coming to England to learn about new medicine developments, he translated the work of Dr Brown of Edinburgh into Italian. Has heard that the new colony in Sierra Leone is struggling to establish itself and may break up, [Luigi] Borone is anxious about not having heard any news of his son [François Borone] who is there [with Adam Afzelius].

Sends specimens of 'Lagerstroemia' and 'Tamarindus'. Sorry Smith was away when four or five of her Sierra Leone bulbs came into flower; no one scientific saw them but [James] Sowerby took drawing and she hopes it can be ascertained whether they are 'Hamanthus' or 'Amaryllis', and if Sowerby can replicate the brilliant colour may be worth place in Smith's large work ["Icones pictae plantarum rariorum..."]. Recovered from her inflammatory fever and bilious complaints caused by intense hot weather, her family and labourers suffered the same.

Sends a specimen of a local kind of flax, found in Darisham, [Suffolk], for Smith's opinion; [Thomas] Woodward thinks it 'Linum tenuifolium'.

Sends 'Orobanche ramosa' to [James] Sowerby after rediscovering it, only previously figured in "Hortus Romanus". Recovering from fever prevalent in this area. Asks after Smith's activities in East Anglia. Eager to see "Natural History of New Holland". [David Elisha] Davy of Yoxford, [Norfolk], to send Smith specimen of a 'Linum', the same as his 'L. angustifolium' but for Smith to determine whether it is that of Linnaeus'; observations. Sending certificate nominating Davy as a FLS; favoruably compares his botanical skills to those "nomenclators" who memorise names and think it makes them a botanist. Comments on a review in the "Monthly Review" of a work of Smith's and points out errors in review.

Asks if Smith has heard from François [Borone] by the ship just arrived from Sierra Leone; thinks the bad news come from there is from "some warm friend of the slave trade". Notes for Sowerby on drawing the 'Orobanche ramosa'; also sending 'Hieracium umbellatum', 'Epilobium montanum', 'Picris echioides', 'Hedypnois hieracioides' [William] Hudson, 'Achillea ptarmica', all from Bath Hills, and fruit of 'Crataegus torminalis' and 'Rhamnus frangula' of which flowers and foliage sent some time since.

Sends books and plants; offers Cape plants; observations on 'Flora Japonica'.

Sending books to Smith on the ship "Buxton", captained by Clement Wertz, including 30 copies of Smith's [unspecified] paper on ferns and six copies of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Turin's fifth volume, one for Smith and the others to be distributed to Mr Priestly, Mr Herschel, the Astronomical Society of London, the Society of Philadelphia, and the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Boston. Has not sent the six volumes of memoirs of the Royal Agricultural Society of Turin because of the risk of the sea voyage in the present time of war. All correspondence with the French is being intercepted and the route through Germany is not suitable for packages. [Carlo] Allioni sends his respects.

Condolences on death of Smith's brother. Invites Smith and the Sierra Leone travellers [Adam Afzelius and François Borone] to visit when suitable. Another of her Sierra Leone bulbs is flowering. Sending Smith a "little pig" from her farm.

Still unable to obtain growing plants of 'Gentiana filiformis'. Encloses 'Locus natalis'. Thanks for Smith's observations on 'Lichen', agrees that 'L. barbatus' and 'L. articulatus' do not differ specifically. Desires copy of Tode's "Fungi Mecklenburgenses" and Smith's "Tour of the Continent".

Has just returned from a month long visit to Hastings, Sussex, where he saw the India, Jamaica, and Oporto fleets and collected marine plants. Fishermen brought a blue shark, 'Squalus glaucus', to shore, and as [Thomas] Pennant had only briefly spoken of the species decided to make a full description of it, and had an outline drawing of it made; proposes it for a paper [published as 'A Description of the Porbeagle Shark']. Has a specimen of 'Asplenium marinum' for Linnean Society herbarium. Found two new 'Ulvae' at Hastings. Asks the progress of printing of his paper on 'Carex'; wishes [John] Sibthorp could see it before he finishes his "Flora Oxoniensis". Baroness [Henriette Charlotte von] Itzenplitz has giving birth to a son at Kew.

On reverse of letter note "do get my vol. of Phil. Transactions" and a column of amounts of money.

Thanks for "[Botany of] New Holland" and specimens; glad to hear a second fasciculus is printing and a third "Icones [pictae]" will appear. Hopes death of Smith's brother, Richard, was natural, though knowing his situation and "perverseness" had his doubts and fears. Envies Smith his visit to Dr [Nichola] Gwyn in Ipswich, [Suffolk], and Harwich, [Essex]; finding of a 'Mentha' a "very capital discovery", should figure in "English botany", will inform [John] Pitchford, though doubts he will get through his mints. Gave [David Elisha] Davy Smith's specimen of 'Satyrium', as requested, does not grow near Bungay. Glad to see 'Linum tenuifolium'; distinct from their plant and specimens of wild 'L. angustifolium'.

Agrees to [Edmund] Davall's proposal to exchange specimens. Glad to hear of safe return of [Adam] Afzelius and François [Borone]. Has been studying 'Fucus abrotanifolius', 'F. foeniculaceus', and 'F. concatenatus'; detailed observations of each and character descripton of 'F. abrotanifolius'. Heard Smith is visiting Lady Rockingham and other botanical friends before returning to Frogmore [lecturing the Queen and Princesses]. Sends specimen of unknown plant picked at Lowestoft, [Suffolk] [Smith has annotated 'Spergula nodosa'].

Thanks for information from Kinnersley [probably Nathaniel Kinderely (d 1808), a relation of Smith's who spent time in India]. A forthcoming marriage in his family. Correcting the Indian section of his "Outlines of the Globe" for the specimen volume alluded to in his "Literary Life".

Progress made in the establishment of a Botanic Garden, under the patronage of the Dublin Society and a Parliamentary committee headed by the Speaker of the [Irish] House of Commons, [John] Foster [(1740-1828) 1st Baron Oriel] , with a suitable ground for purchase being found. Description of the land, which once belonged to [Patrick] Delany [(1686-1768) writer] and was frequented by Jonathan Swift "and all the people of literature of that day". Uncertain about Foster's proposal that it should also be a garden for "agricultural experiments", relates a similar, unhappy, experience of the Dublin Society's several years ago in which Wynne Baker almost bankrupted the Society with additional costs. Has found 'Parnassia', 'Hypericum elodes', 'Pinguicula', and 'Gentiana amarella' with [Walter] Wade, praises accuracy and clarity of figures in "English Botany". Has not seen "Doctor Martin's Botanic Dictionary" but bemoans the fact that botanic dictionaries are "generally loaded compilations", and gives his opinions on how they could be truly useful, including clarifying ambiguous terminology. States reasons why he is dissatisfied by the described difference between 'Ranunculus flamula' and 'Ranunculus lingua'. Believes 'Salvia' in the "Systema Vegetabilium" may be incorrectly described, possibly due to a printing error. Complains that [William] Curtis procrastinates with the publication of his "Flora Londinensis". Observes a possible error in "Curtis's Botanical Magazine no. 77".

Thanks for Smith's letter of 24 May [1793]. 'Bryum' and 'Hypnum' desiderata. A specimen of 'Hypnum' is attached.

'Rottoellia compressa' from Botany Bay, [Australia], is in flower at Kew; would like Smith to see it as it is one of the badly described plants in the younger Linnaeus' "Supplementum" and believes it may actually be new. Proposes an errata for his paper on 'Carex'. Unsure if his paper on 'Squalus glaucus' will be ready for first volume of "Linnean Transactions" and whether it was male or female.

Asks Smith to tell the Queen [Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III] how he is filled with honour on being admitted to see her "Lightfootian 'Carices'" and should also want to see the 'Fucus' and 'Confervae'.