Asks Smith not to tell [Edward Forster] of this letter as he is offended by Forster sending "mouldy oleraceous specimens" in return "for some of Flora's pure & rarest productions". Sends parcel of plants with a former governess of the Duke of Argyll's children who is accompanying Mr Mandrot, including 'Satyrium repens' for [James] Dickson . Successfully weaned his daughter. Will send alpine lichen and 'Psora testacea'. Smith's publications: assumes Smith has finished "Flora Lapponica", asks when more of "Plantarum Icones" and "Icones pictae" appear, would like to be kept up to date with "English Botany", and when "Systema vegetabilum" and "Obs. Bot." are out. 'Cypripedium calceolus' in flower, 'Ranunculus parnasifolius' and 'Arenaria grandiflora' in flower, and 'Anemone alpina' flowering for first time five years after transplantation.

The first folio of this letter includes receipt from James Sowerby for £20 from Smith on behalf of Davall. Numbered observations by Smith on plants sent by Davall in previous parcels: 'Lamium maculatum', 'Potentilla opaca' HL, 'Draba fladnizensis' Jacquin, 'Mespilus cotoneaster', 'Aria flexuosa', 'Astragalus montanus', 'Astragalus depressus', 'Leontod pyrenaicus' Gouan, 'Eriophorum vaginatum', 'Scirpus caespitosus' HL, 'Scirpus pauciflorus' Lightfoot, 'Agrostis halleri' Villars, 'Poa bulbosa', 'Carex curvula' Allioni, 'Carex hirta', 'Carex distans' HL, 'Carex leporina', 'Festuca duriuscula', 'Lactuca augustana' Allioni, 'Androsace lactea', 'Morbid euphorbia', 'Fontinalis pennata' HL, 'Medicago polymorpha-minima', 'Equisetum linosum', 'Cerastium tomentosum' HL, 'Sisymbrium pyrenaicum', 'Cytisus sessilifolius' HL, 'Corohilla minima' Jacquin, 'Polypodium montamum' Allioni, 'Festuca duriuscula', 'Oenanthe fistulosa', 'Allium schaenoprasum' HL, 'Carex rostiata' Stokes, 'Carex disticha' Hudson, 'Carex acuta' HL, 'Poa alpina', and 'Salix myrsinites'.

Responds to Davall's letters of 11 March and 30 April: [Joseph von] Jacquin generally worthy; intends to announce his "Systema Vegetabilum" in preface to the new edition of "Flora Lapponica". Received visit and parcel of plants from Dr [Franz Joseph] Maerter [(1753-1827)] who has been in South America and the West Indies; all of Jacquin's rare plants are from him though Maerter's collections have been seized at Brussels and their recovery is uncertain. Addresses Davall's remarks on 'Anemone', 'Dianthus glaucus', 'Potamogeton obtusum', and 'Potentilla'. Hopes "Icones pictae" will be profitable as his lectures are not but is determined not to give up botany. Intends to devote summer to his ["Sketch of a Tour on the Continent"], "Systema vegetabilum", and perhaps "Flora Anglica". His servant François [Borone] with him again. The Queen takes three large paper copies of his "Icones pictae".

Sends first number of his "Spicilegium [botanicum]". Second number of "Icones pictae" in preparation. Also sending specimens of 'Lichen gypsaceus' and 'Lichen saxifragas' and describes both characters, to see if the latter is Davall's 'Psora testacea'.

Numbered observations on parcel of plants sent by Davall via Mr Mandrot in May, received June 1791: 'Turritis hirsuta' HL, 'Plantago', 'Cerinthe major', 'Cerinthe perennis' Davall, 'Thesium alpinum' HL, 'Bupleurum angulosum' HL, 'Laserpitium silaifolium', 'Dianthus', 'Arenaria liniflora', 'Potentilla caulescens' HL, 'Anemone fragifera' Jacquin, 'Ranunculus thora', 'Ranunculus pamassifolius' HL, 'Ranunculus alpestris', 'Ajuga genevensis', 'Ajuga alpina', 'Pedicularis sylvatica' HL, 'Antirrhinum arvense' HL, 'Hypericum tetragynum', 'Geranium pusillum', Geranium rotundifolium', 'Geranium molle', 'Crepis tectorum' HL, 'Ophrys cordata', 'Satyrium repens', 'Carex pauciflora' Lightfoot, 'Clutia pulchella', 'Chrysocoma coma-aurea' HL, 'Bidens pilosa', 'Coreopris leucantha' HL, 'Gentiana', 'Asplenium trichomanes', 'fastigiatus', '[Lichen] tiliaceus' Hoffmann and Smith, '[Lichen] saxatilis', '[Lichen] centrifugus', '[Lichen] aeruginosus', '[Lichen] fagineus', '[Lichen] subfucus' HL, '[Lichen] horizontalis', '[Lichen] chrysoleucus' Smith, and '[Lichen] encaustus' Smith.

Compliments them both on their ability to search for plants. Comments on box of lichens sent by Davall. Pleased to hear account of Davall's happy family life. [Edward] Forster disappointed that Davall has not written. "Flora Lapponica" has gone to press with fifty-five new species added to the flora. Hopes Davall will entrust [Jacob] Wyttenbach with correction of the Latin for his work. After consultation with [William] Hudson and [James] Dickson gives numbered remarks on box of lichens. Can only send Davall a few plants in return, including 'Arenaria saxatilis', but Davall should request [Dominique] Villars' 'A. saxatilis' for the true 'A. laricifolia'. Sends present of "two tinkling balls [...] of the very newest mode" for Davall's baby daughter. 'Nymphaea nelumbo' in flower at Bulstrode, [Buckinghamshire, home of Duke of Portland] for the first time in Europe, it is a new genus to be called 'Portlandia' and the old renamed 'Catesbaea'.

Received Smith's "Spicilegium botanicum", 'Arenaria saxatilis' and '[Acrosticum marantae]'. Describes death of his infant daughter and his grief; he and his wife are to holiday in Switzerland. Leaf of plant number 53 of his parcel by Mandrot 1790 belongs to 'Sium latifolium', quotes [Johannes] Loesel [(1607-1655)]. Will send seed of 'Cerinthe perennis', which he previously sent as 'Cerinthe intermedia', hopes it could be figured in "Spicilegium botanicum". Hopes to send parcel of plants via Flaction before departing.

Staying with [Werner de] Lachenal [(1736-1800)]. Dispatched a parcel of plants to Smith via Flaction; requests seeds and plants of [Robert] Teesdale and [James] Lee. Requests plates for his intended work from [James] Sowerby. Surprised to find his herbarium richer than Lachenal's in alpines: gave him Haller's "little 'Gentiana' (tenella Rottboel of ED)" and he immediately went to [Nikolaus von] Jacquin's "Miscellanea [Austriaca]" for 'Swertia carinthiaca', they are very alike except for flower. Lachenal has 'Morina persica', not at Kew. Criticises Lachenal's botanical culture and gardening skills. Delighted to see 'Cypripedium bulbosum'.

Condolences on death of Davall's daughter, believes it must have been a very violent fever independent of teething. Transcribes part of an epitaph on four children who died of the plague 150 years ago, engraved on a monument in a field somewhere in England. Wishes Davall could visit England as his connections are now much increased: quite intimate with Lady Rockingham; made acquaintance with Sir Abraham and Lady [Amelia] Hume and stayed with them in Hertfordshire; recently stayed at Bulstrode, [Buckinghamshire, home of Duke of Portland]. Will send first volume of "Linnean Transactions" for Davall. Requests duplicates of ten or twelve plants for François [Borone's] herbarium.

Postscript at top of verso of first folio that he would gladly figure 'Cerinthe perennis' [in "Spicilegium botanicum"].

Arrived back in Orbe unwell; taking purgative mineral waters of Saidschultz, Hungary. Sending seed of 'Cerinthe [perennis]' for Smith via Mr Mandrot; would prefer Smith figured it rather than [Joseph von] Jacquin. As 'Cerinthe perennis' forms a very stout root if in a pot it should be transplanted to the open to flower.

Sending this letter via Mr Haldimand, son of General [Sir Frederick] Haldimand [(1718-1791)]. Hopes Smith received seed of 'Cerinthe perennis', which he also sent last year with 'Lactuca angustana', and parcel of plants sent via Flaction. Received first volume of "Linnean Transactions": assumes that in a few years the Linnean Society will have corrected the false synonyms of the Linnaean and other plants and provided more ample descriptions. Smith "by far the properest man" to be Linnaeus' successor. Received Smith's parcel of plants from Mandrot, including "inestimable" 'Arenaria saxatilis'. His wife pregnant. His aunts' card playing habits.

At Basel went over [Werner de] Lachenal's [(1736-1800)] herbarium: it includes plants from [Caspar] Bauhin's [(1560-1624)] herbarium, bought for 7 guineas; not rich in Swiss plants and Lachenal is not deeply learned, his speciality being books and editions; his best studies are of the umbelliferae; had 'Schoenus ferrugineus' as a variety of 'Schoenus nigricans'; many dried exotic specimens from garden of Utrecht; his garden stock from Jacquin; acquired seeds of 'Minuartia' from Lachenal, originally procured of [Carl Christian] Gmelin [(1762-1837)] now director of botanic garden at Carlsruh, [Lower Saxony], sending Smith some for a good figure to be made. Accidently read part of a letter and its corresponding part from [Joseph von] Jacquin to [Nikolaus von] Jacquin, "full of the grossest & most humble flattery".

Will send plants for François [Borone, Smith's servant] when he next sends a parcel. Finding it difficult to limit his work to found wild specimens as to understand them necessary to compare them against species with near affinity throughout Europe. Disappointed by parcel of specimens received from [Dominique] Villars and is proposing to exchange books for specimens instead of money; sending "Hortus Kewensis" and Smith's "Plantarum icones". Received small parcel of badly dried specimens from [Carlo] Bellardi, including 'Arenaria liniflora' and a 'Festuca spadicea' the same as Smith's in "Linnean Transactions", also received seeds of it 'Andropogon distachyum' from [Carlo] Allioni. Would like to grow 'Andropogon gryllus' in his garden. Reminds Smith that lichens 46 and 48 from box of lichens [sent 30 April 1791] are still undetermined, thinks 47 is Smith's 'Saxifragus'. Presumes Smith informed Villars that his 'Arenaria saxatilis' is 'Arenaria laricifolia'.

Displeased by Lachenal's insistence that as 'Arenaria verna' is often taken for 'A. saxatilis' then 'saxatilis' should be continued, and same with 'Lepidium graminifolium', maintaining it is 'Iberis'. Intends to concentrate on his "Illustr. Fl. Helv." this winter. First snow of winter arrived earlier than expected on 1 November; anxious for his potted plants. Sending Smith seeds via Haldimand, including three never grown in England, so they can be figured in "Spicilegium botanicum": 'Arenaria grandiflora' L, 'Turritis caerulea' Allioni "Fl. Ped." includes growing details and instructions, 'Scutellaria alpina' ,'Iberis rotundifolia', 'Minuartia', and 'Silene -'. Hopes [Nikolaus von] Jacquin will not be the first to give coloured figure of 'Arenaria grandiflora'. Offers Smith exclusivity on seeds of new Swiss plants until he has figured it.

Proposes scheme for Linnean Society members to fund drawing, engraving, and colouring of at least one plant a year to increase provision of good figures of new, obscure, or misconceived species.

Suffering from "a perpetual return of obstructions" and "excessive habit of costiveness" which no remedies will remove. Believes he has found 'Lichen confluens' and 'Lichen cinereo-fuscus' Weber, will send for Smith's consideration, and 'Lichen fulgens' Swartz or 'Lichen citrinus' Hedwig. Regrets his "ill treaty" with [Harvey] Spragg and his copy of Dillenius' "Historia Muscorum"; how many copies are buried in public libraries or in private hands whilst many including him "suffer & linger by the privation". His interest in cryptogams; he sent Smith the common '[Lichen] fagineus' for pleasure of it authenticated by Smith, as he is still a novice.

Recently became acquainted with [Horace-Bénédict] de Saussure [(1740-1799)] and gave him roots of 'Geranium phaeum' and 'G. lividum', Swiss plants he had sought in vain, though he is more a lithologist than botanist. De Saussure collected lichens during an expedition on Mont Blanc, an account of which was published July 1788, and intended to send them to [Georg Franz] Hoffmann for identification but Davall persuaded him to send them to Smith instead. Transcribes, in French, part of de Saussure's letter acceptance, in French. Transcribes, in French, letter received from [Carlo] Bellardi with article for Smith.

Note in Davall's hand that this letter was received 13 January 1792.

Acknowledges receipt of Davall's letters of 6 November, with seeds, and 2 December, and parcel of plants via Mr Mandrot. Observations on plants, ordered by Greek letters: 'Trifolium rubens' HL, 'Trifolium pratense' HL, 'Trifolium alpestre' HL, 'Trifolium filforme' HL, 'Astragalus cicer' Linnaeus, 'Serapias palustris' HL, 'Potentilla norvegica' HL, 'Gnaphalium sylvaticum', 'Filago germanica' HL, 'Crepis dioscorides' HL, 'Festuca', 'Cuscuta europaea', 'Veronica hybrida' HL, 'Centaurea paniculata' HL, 'Campanula rhomboidalis', 'Thalictrum lucidum', 'Geranium sanguineum', 'Geranium rotundifolium', 'Lotus maritimus' HL, 'Sisymbrium murale' HL, 'Cheiranthus alpinus' Jacquin, 'Sium latifolium' HL, 'Lychius quadridentata' HL, '[Lychius] alpestris' HL, 'Silene alpestris' "Hortus Kewensis" and Jacquin.

Observations on plants, ordered by Roman letters: '[Arenaria] ciliata', 'Anemone sulphurea', '[Thlaspi] alpestre' HL, 'Erysimum cheiranthoides' HL, 'Lathyrus cicera' HL, 'Lathyrus palustris' HL, 'Orchis palustris' Jacquin, 'Acrostichum ilvense' Hudson, 'Acer opalus', 'Lavatera punctata', and 'Carduus crispus' HL.

Responds to Davall's letter of 6 November: pleased by his approval of first volume of "Linnean Transactions" but thinks his scheme for Linnean Society figuring plants not feasible; has not heard from [Werner de] Lachenal [(1736-1800)] or [Dominique] Villars, and Villars may have heard of his 'Arenaria' from Professor Wiborg at Copenhagen; thanks for seeds, gave most to Fairbairn and some to [William] Aiton [(1731-1793)]; [William] Curtis angry with Smith for helping [James] Sowerby with "English Botany" as he thinks it infringes on his domain, he owes Sowerby £50 and is a "man of very unsound principle, & a bad temper at bottom"; [Edward] Forster sorry Davall is not impressed with the specimens he sent, which he thought very valuable; does not know Davall's lichen 46, and 48 is found in England on Charlton Church and used to be called 'Lichen cretaceus'; will send on "English Botany" and box of lichens.

Responds to Davall's letter of 2 December: distressed by Davall's ill health, essential for him to exercise, asks if fruit is laxative or not for him and whether red port makes him costive; thanks Davall for enabling exchange of lichens with with [Horace Bénédict] de Saussure [(1740-1799)]; will write to [Carlo] Bellardi; wishes to settle about 'Davallia' as what he intended is a 'Trianthema', asks if he would prefer 'Trichomanes canariense' or an Indian genus from his uncoloured icones.

His brother Richard spending the winter in a lodging by himself, "doing nothing, & burying good taste & abilities in mere sloth". Lady Rockingham in good health. Many seeds from Botany Bay lately.

Joy he receives from Smith's friendship. Presses Smith to visit. Anxious that Smith may not have received the seeds of 'Cerinthe perennis'. Glad his ideas on 'Trifolium alpestre' proved correct in "Linnean Transactions", further comments on [Adam] Afzelius' paper. 'Serapias' all a confusion for Smith. Cannot say anything on "pretended specific difference" of 'Gnaphalium sylvaticum', 'norvegicum' Retz, 'Crepis discoridis', interests him as much as 'Trifolium agaricum'. Comments on plants previously sent in various parcels.

Thanks Smith for his efforts in reconciling [William] Aiton to him. Answers Smith's queries on his health: does find fruit to be laxative, red wine makes him costive, and is most tormented with it in spring where 'Leontodon taraxacum' is eaten as they do other vegetables, stewed in butter or beef broth. Has not yet received anything from [Horace Bénédict] de Saussure [(1740-1799)]. Regarding Smith's proposal to name a genus after him would like Smith to do whatever he thinks best, but wishes he had completed his work before such an honour. Comments on 'Carex' no 11 of his parcel by Mandrot 1790.

Fears for Smith's safety following reports of fire at the Pantheon [place of public entertainment on south side of Oxford Street, London]. Responds to Smith's letter [of 30 December 1791]: sorry to hear of Smith's brother's inactivity; will send a list of desiderata in due course, but anything not Swiss welcome and especially 'Smithia sensitivia'. Intends for his herbarium plan Swiss plants and English and European plants in near affinity. Thanks for Smith's figures of 'Agrostis capillaris' and 'Saponaria lutea'; shall send Smith a list of grasses desired, already has 'Cornucopiae cucullatum'.

Responds to Smith's letter of 6 July 1791: extensive comments on 'Arenaria liniflora'; is Smith happy with his drying and nature of specimens; number 10 of his 1791 parcel by Mandrot 'Anemone fragifera' or '[Anemone] baldensis'; will send good wild specimen of 'Ranunculus thora', comments on Haller's figure, does not agree with what Smith says of [Jean Johannes] Bauhin [(1541-1613)] and notes errors in printing of Bauhin and other 'Ranunculus' species.

Asks if Smith has seen "that complicated, fabricated, forged, mechanic mass", the vegetable part of [Johann Friedrich] Gmelin's [(1748-1804)] "Systema Naturae". Received visit from Professor [Johann] Hermann of Strasburg last summer.

His street was not affected by the fire at the Pantheon, although [Robert] Batty's shop was destroyed and he and his family took refuge with Smith.

Responds to Davall's letters of 31 January and 3 February 1792: promises to visit Davall soon but wants to publish his "Sketch of a Tour on the Continent" and "Systema vegetabilum" first; François [Borone] to be [Adam] Afzelius' assistant in Sierra Leone, commissioned by the new Company to collect plants for at least a year, advantageous situation for Borone, and Smith will receive a share of the plants, roots, and seeds collected; when François returns Smith intends to tour to Genoa to visit Davall and Mount Cenis again; impatient to hear from [Dominique] Villars; applauds Davall's comments on naming of plants after botanists, shall give Davall's name to 'Trichomanes canariense' but requests a paper from him for second volume of "Linnean Transactions"; has no duplicate of 'Smithia sensitivia', it flowered and seeded at Turin in 1790; admires Davall's manner of drying plants.

[Carl Peter] Thunberg compared specimen of his [Smith's] 'Festuca' with [Joachim] Burser's [(1583-1639)] original specimen at Upsala, so there is now no doubt, but [Martin] Vahl [(1749-1804)] has published discovery as his own in second volume of "Symbolae botanicae" but made mistake of saying he learned what 'Anthoxanthum paniculatum' was from the Linnaean herbarium.

Has been introduced to the Royal Family as this summer he is to arrange the Queen's herbarium, previously [John] Lightfoot's, give the Queen and princesses a course of botany; comments on the Queen's behaviour and dignity. Has not taken any salary for the job for the sake of dignity and future influence and interest.

Prescribes a tablespoon of melted butter with the salt skimmed off before bed for Davall's costiveness; excellent for bowel complaints but "neglected for nasty drugs & irritating oils". Eager to see vegetable part of [Johann Friedrich] Gmelin's [(1748-1804)] "Systema naturae". Glad Davall found [Johann] Hermann agreeable, "an excell[ent] & pleasant man". Pleased Davall likes his figure of 'Festuca spadicea'. Waiting for lichens before sending parcel of plants, will also send second edition of "Flora Lapponica".

Apologises for delay in sending lichens and can only send thirty for Davall's collection. Parcel of newspapers from [William] Este still waiting for Davall, the paper is now at an end and he is fled abroad for debt.

Asks Davall's opinion of "English Botany", which he now claims as his own and its aim "to make botany pleasing & popular, so [Davall] must pardon trifling". Took more pains with "Flora Lapponica", especially the synonyms as he means to correct citation, so it requires more serious criticism. Sends [James] Dickson's third and fourth dried plant fascicules which completes the work, relieved to be free from its drudgery. Sends pamphlets on the slave trade, "a matter much talked of now". [Adam] Afzelius and François [Borone] have sailed [for Sierra Leone]. Sends capsule of 'Mesembryanthemum' from Cape of Good Hope, gives care instructions; a German professor has figured it as a flower under new genus 'Redeviva'. Arranging his shells. [William] Aiton [(1731-1793)] delighted with seed of 'Arenaria grandiflora'. Davall owes [James] Sowerby and Dickson money.

Davall's letter forms the first eight pages. Apologises for not sending Smith anything with Mandrot. His poor health: the least exertion affects his eyes and stomach, and suffered violent inflammatory fever with a sore throat that spread to his gums and was in danger of going to his chest, prolonged by a late bleeding, until his urine became very thick and an abcess formed. Has been bled three times in eighteen hours and five times since January, losing 3 1/2 lb of blood and now drinking whey to thin his blood. His wife gave birth to premature son but he died after eleven days.

Has dried specimen of wild 'Ranunculus thora' from his garden for Smith. His garden: 'Cerastium latifolium' grown from roots gathered himself in Alps in full flower, 'Moehringia', 'Crataegus chamaemespilus', 'Turritis coerulea', 'Arenaria grandiflora', 'Androsace villosa' or 'Androsace obtusifolia', 'Aretia alpina' not yet flowered, 'Saxifraga hirculus'.

Continues letter on 21 May: managed to make up a parcel of plants to send with Mandrot, including [Horace Bénédict] de Saussure's [(1740-1799)] lichens.

Fifth folio is titled "Villars" and is a transcription, in French, of extract of letter from [Dominique] Villars 20 December 1791, following communication of Smith's discovery concerning 'Festuca spadicea'. Davall displeased at [Martin] Vahl's [(1749-1804)] impertinence [he claimed a discovery of Smith's as his own]; does not have a good opinion of men in general and passes for a misanthrope in Orbe because he prefers spending his time with plants. Consoles Smith with the fact that even if he is exposed to the impertinence of "some Empiricks as La Marck etc" at least he will "ever have the applause of good orthodox botanists & men of sense". Transcribes extract from preface of second volume of [Johann Christian Daniel von] Schreber's [(1739-1810)] edition of "Genera Plantarum" quoting Smith. Sends seed of 'Carduus crispus'.

Ninth and tenth folios are transcription, in French, of extract of letter from de Saussure 14 February 1792 accompanying lichens, which he [Davall] sends on to Smith, includes eight notes to recognise those de Saussure has.

Following pleuritic attacks in spring and summer has come to Matlock Bath for air and waters. Sending locally gathered mosses and lichens with this letter. Responds to Davall's letter of 18 May 1792: has not yet received Davall's two packets; recommends he take the Bath waters or similar for his stomach; condolences on death of his baby; entreats him not to overexert himself in the garden or fields, to avoid damp and evening air, and wet feet; thanks for seeds of 'Carduus crispus'; spending two or three weeks at Windsor soon [teaching Royal Family botany]; [Dominique] Villars correct in what he says, he [Smith] will write preface for his paper on 'Arenaria' for second volume of "Linnean Transactions" in which he will fully explain his method of ascertaining the Linnaean species from original numbered and marked specimens, and show in what cases synonyms are to be greater authority than the herbarium, citing example of 'Carex pilulifera'; thanks for quotation from Schreber, pleased with his praise and has written to him on the strength of it.

[Joseph] Gaertner has died but finished his book in second volume ["De fructibus et seminibus plantarum" (1788-1805)], he is very severe on Linnaeus "but a good author may be pardoned for a few prejudices'. Surprised at the attention his "introductory discourse" has received; Father Gregorio Fontana, mathematical professor at Pavia, has translated it into Italian.

Received parcel of plants from Botany Bay, many unknown to [Sir Joseph] Banks and others, with coloured drawings of most, and if Banks will not publish his work sees no reason not to publish these. Paper on 'Filices' not quite finished. Considers it settled that 'Trichomanes canariense' is to be 'Davallia'. Sending Davall a "choice copy" of second part of "Icones pictae", a present from Lady Rockingham, and second part of "Spicilegium Botanicum"; hopes he approves of 'Ligusticum cornubiense'. Encloses part of 'Byssus aurea'. Also encloses for Mrs Davall a small smelling bottle made of the "beautiful spar of this place".

Note at end of letter: "to remark that 'Poa salina' of Pollich is = distans as well as the retroflexa of Curtis".

Has been seriously ill with extreme weakness of the eyes and disordered stomach and digestion. As his blood was so inflammatory was prescribed whey and setters water for the summer, which weakened his stomach further. About to start an infusion of 'Cinchona'. Thanks for Smith's letter of 27 June and the lichens, also recently received the other lichens sent with Mr Du Bois, pleased with 'Lichen omphalodes', 'L. fragilis', and 'L. globiferus'. Domestic news: one of his wife's brothers has caused great uneasiness; persuaded his aunts to give him another room for his study; his 'Mespilus chamaemespilus' has finally produced two fruit, which he intends for Smith; found 'Schenchzeria'; believes 'Poa retroflexa' Curtis is 'Poa distans' Linnaeus, and 'Poa salina' Pollich as determined by specimen from Ehrhart; dried 'Saxifraga hirculus', 'Schenchzeria' and 'Swertia H', 'Avena fertilis' Allioni "Auctar", suspects it 'Avena dubia' Leers; two plants of 'Lavatera punctata' just come into flower, will send seed if possible; has seed of 'Avena strigosa' Schreber "Spicilig." Retz "Obs." and 'Bromus arvensis'. His wife pregnant again.

Thanks for Smith's works, "Spicililegium botanicum" and "Icones pictae". His health is still weak and digestion disordered. Explains that through his "ardent love of Botany" he has declined every opportunity conducive to his fortune and reduced his patrimony in forming his botanical library to the bare minimum and his study, friendship with Smith, and relationship with wife "are the three great & only objects" which make him value his existence.

Concerns over war [threatened invasion of Switzerland by the French]: the Genevans have called on their allies and 1500 of Berne and 640 of Zurich have entered Geneva, which was proteseted against by the French resident before issuing a direct declaration of war, and French artillery now expected to commence firing on Geneva. The Swiss are marching on every frontier shared with France and if not for his wife would happily take up a musket in defence of his collections. Believes only reason to fear French is their immense numbers and the common people are strong and the German Swiss "are perfectly well armed, their artillery of the best sort" and 30-40,000 men are stirring. A young man who escaped from the massacre of the Swiss Guards at Paris was with him yesterday.

Shortly leaving for Windsor to give the Queen and princesses five or six week course of lectures on zoology and botany, not going into detail "on the various structure of vesiculae seminales, nor on the "vulva hiaus" of the Viola (see "Flo[ra] Lapponica")". Compliments the Queen and princesses Augusta and Elizabeth. No payment has been mentioned as he initially only undertook to organise [John] Lightfoot's herbarium and the lectures have been proposed since. They think him "a wondrous learned philosopher" and cynically comments on getting a share of the "plunder" of the Church and King, though to do so would have to pray that "light & liberty may never make any progress in the world"; he prays most "fervently" for "virtuous" liberty and "not the sight of cutting off any body's head at pleasure". The "Magnificent Lords" of Geneva "cut a ridiculous figure" and are "quite a joke with the French", presumes the Berne aristocracy are anxious [threatened invasion of Switzerland by French] and will not write to Turin as they too must be anxious and not thinking of botany.

Delessert going over his [Smith's] herbarium. Progressing well with his "Sketch of a Tour on the Continent". Responds to Davall's letter of 12 October: nothing to fear from the French and blames the Genevans who "had no business to put on a warlike appearance" and that it is only their own tyrants that make the Swiss fight the French; detests the Geneva and Berne governments. As the French behaved well in Savoy and Nice thinks they will not come for plunder, and as Davall is English he should not be hurt.