Some time ago sent a living specimen of a new species of 'Astragalus' to Sir Joseph Banks but never received any answer regarding it. Sending Smith a dwarf 'Dianthus' from Siberia, now in flower in the college garden, which he believes to be a new species, brief description of the blossoms. At the top of the letter Smith has written a Latin description under 'Dianthus hyssopifolius', and stating that in his answer he said it may be called 'Dianthus diffusus' or the preferred 'Dianthus hyssopifolius'.

Received Smith's letter of 31 August [1803]. Hopes some of his old friends attended Smith's Liverpool lectures. Expects [Edmund] Davall's herbarium of Swiss plants will be a great feast for Smith. Looking forward to next volume of "Flora Britannica". His health better than it has been for several years. [George] Don went with a party to Inch Keeth; health of Dr Rutherford and Dr Waltner. Details of [James] Playfair's [(1738-1819), Church of Scotland minister] intended work [on bees].

Temporarily lending dried plants received from [James] Donn [(1758-1813) gardener] to Smith until he sends Smith a list of his desiderata. His interest in shells continues, hope Smith will still send him any duplicates from his own collection.

Responds to Smith's letters of 26 and 31 August: Smith should have received Dr Ford's letter with [William] Roscoe's certificate. Has always intended to visit Burleigh, having heard the pictures highly spoken of, and recalls when at Loretto, [Austria ?], story told by the monks of the late Lord Exeter offering buy a Raphael for as many guineas it took to cover it, but they refused; comments that this would be "a cheap way of buying his pictures, compared with present prices". Will inform Smith of details of the Chancery suit next time he sees him, and he owes it entirely to Symmons.

Advises Smith to advertise his "Tour [to Hafod]" this winter and believes another 15 subscribers could be added to the 35 existing. Possible rival works: never answered Bowyer's letter, but "he is enterprising, and his things are in general tawdry & badly done", in reference to his "Views of Egypt, & the Levant"; Loutherbowey was in Wales 12 or 15 years ago and carried away many sketches; Mr Malkin of Hackney, [Middlesex], intends publishing a "Tour thro' South Wales" in one or more volumes with well engraved prints, and though Johnes believes it will not be very enlightening urges Smith that he has no time to lose.

Viganoni leaving on Monday: his improvement of Mariamne's playing and singing is "wonderful" but her drawing skills are equally good. Todd [his gardener] "cannot be trusted again" after his neglect of the kitchen garden and destruction of seeds, though he will take care of him [Todd sustained head injuries after falling from his horse, see RelatedMatieral below]. Requests any new Botany Bay seeds.

Studied mosses and lichens with Dawson Turner at Yarmouth, [Norfolk], earlier in month, Turner also relieved him from the burden of dealing with "those indefatigable writers and questioners the German naturalists". Turner to publish a book on the "Mosses of Ireland" ["Muscologiae Hibernicae spicilegium" (1804)]. Visited his wife's family in Lowestoft and Saxmundham, [both Suffolk]; discusses the country and weather; the summer has "burnt up this whole eastern country" with no rain from April till September.

Frustrations with printing of "Flora Britannica" and some "knotty points" on mosses; the difficulties with this group chiefly caused by the inaccuracies of preceeding writers; the jungermanniae and lichens will be even more variable and uncertain. The lichen from Roscoe's house is 'Lichen orostheus' of [Erik] Acharius and never observed in this country before. About to send parcel to Roscoe, including his "Tour on the Continent", [James] Sowerby's "Fungi", Paul Jovius de Piscibus, and "an imperfect copy" of Rivinus' botanical plates, which will be a useful addition to Roscoe's collection of "Icones Plantarum". Expecting visit by [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] and has promised him a "harvest" of 'Salix'.

Asks if Roscoe's ['Crinum latifolium'] is not 'Crinum erubescens' of Redoute's "Plantes liliacees" fasc 5, as the 'C. latifolium' figured in Rudbeck and copied from ["Hortus Indicus Malabaricus"] is broader in the leaves and petals. Discusses transformation in [William Fitt] Drake's reading material and political beliefs since meeting Roscoe. Details of Roscoe's election to Linnean Society. Discusses health of Roscoe's son and inflammatory disorders.

Very busy with his official duties lately. Apologises for delay in printing of "Linnean Transactions", discusses and raises queries on [William] Roxburgh's Indian silkworms paper, due to be third paper in the new volume. Glad to learn Smith was well pleased with his Liverpool excursion, reminds Smith to pay attention to bye-laws when making out [William] Roscoe's nomination certificate for Linnean Society.

Forwarded Smith's letter to Ventenat, although doubtful of Smith obtaining books from Paris as he has no agent there, as in the last war. No doubt of Bonaparte's intention to invade, but does not believe "that there was ever an occasion on which the Country was more unanimous than it is at present", and that little issue will come of any attack.

His book "A description of the genus Pinus" printed, has had a coloured copy made for Smith. Lord Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill] wishes him to come and meet [Thomas] Hardwicke who has just arrived with "the largest collection of Natural Hist[ory] that ever came from India", an interesting botanical paper by him in volume six of "Asiatic Researches" [account of Hardwicke's journey to Srinagar]. Informed by [George] Jackson of a Hastings privateer capturing a boat containing thousands of plants for Madame Bonaparte [Joséphine de Beauharnais (1763-1814) 1st wife of Napoleon Bonaparte]; all sent to Kew under [William] Aiton's direction. Would like Smith's description of 'Zizaria' for a paper for Linnean Society. Some of [William] Roxburgh's plants have flowered this summer including 'Curcuma longa'.

Found his new 'Juncus' in rocks about Tunbridge Wells, [Kent], and Hainult forest in Essex, where it grows mixed with 'J. pilosus' and 'J. sylvaticus'; some observations.

Shock at death of [Thomas Taylor], his childhood friend: describes their strong early friendship and its recent renewal during his trip to Liverpool.

Information for John Shepherd's [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] visit to London, including directions, introductions to Sir Abraham and Amelia Hume, and recommendations to see the Lady Hume's garden at Wormleybury, [Hertfordshire], George Hibbert's [(1757-1837), merchant] at Clapham, [Surrey], rich in Cape plants but not West Indian, and [E John Alexander] Woodford's [(fl 1790s-1800s] at Vauxhall, [Surrey]. Sent box of books for Roscoe, including letters to be forwarded to Dr Currie and Dr Brandreth.

Condolences on death of [Thomas] Taylor, who was his introduction to Smith. Called on his brother, Philip Taylor, who is in good health, but Meadow's [Taylor's nephew] leg injury from the rifle corps has swelled and erupted again. [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] began journey to London yesterday and will visit Birmingham and Lord Valentia's [George Annesley] on the way and after visit Smith at Norwich. Thanks for Linnean Society membership. Discusses the health of his two sons.

Gifts from Madame Buonaparte. His "Jardin de Cels" and "Jardin de Malmaison". Smith's books wanted for Panthèon library.

Will gladly show [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] his garden at Clapham, [Surrey]; his Cape plants most noteworthy, especially 'Protea' and 'Erica'. Gets few things from Botany Bay but believes he is the only one to succeed in raising 'Embothrium speciosissimum' from seed. Requests seeds of 'Boronia serrulata'. Regrets that no Linnean frequently helps him with notes and collation as he does not have the time to study. Anticipating [William Roscoe's] "Leo X", enjoyed his "Life of Lorenzo de Medici".

Fears invasion by French but concedes that Bonaparte "will have been so far a benefactor to Englishmen that he will have taught us the value of the blessings Providence allows us". A 'Myrtus', the only one to grow between three attempted by her and Lady [Sophia] de Clifford, has flowered. A 'Cobben' Smith gave her the seeds, a creeper with purple flowers, has been grown by [Amelia] Long [neé Hume (1762-1837) daughter of Amelia and Abraham Hume, watercolour painter], has asked her to draw it.

Sorry to have not met Smith at Liverpool, Lancashire. Alarm of possible invasion, hopes that a compromise may soon be reached between the "two hostile governments" [presumably Britain and France]. Condolence on death of Mr Taylor, commiserates by relating how much he has been affected by the recent death of a close friend, [Mangin]. The burdens of a long life, religion his only consolation, does not feel Dr Johnson's horror of the idea of non-existence. Believes that the Irish Courts of Justice not being permitted to do any business next term shows the government is alarmed by the prospect of a French invasion, and although it would be easier for them to invade England they will meet with many more friends in Ireland. Has heard there is a "pleasing litterary society" in Liverpool, where he has been staying. Also met [William] Roscoe, complimentary towards Dr Currie. Saw multiple 'Xeranthemum' had by a lady from the Cape.

Her friend, Mr Geary, is desirous of an introduction to Sir Joseph Banks. Asks after [Andrew] Caldwell as the loss of the use of her limbs has prevented her from keeping in contact with her distant friends. A friend of hers has 'Oxalis corniculata' growing in his Sussex garden, contrary to habitats of the Devon and Exeter areas given in "Flora Britannica" .

Enjoyed John Shepherd's [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] Norwich visit. Imparts news of the Taylors. Impressed with Shepherd's observational skills, having identified weeds in his garden as 'Sagittaria', 'Mecurialis annua', 'Potamogeton densum', and several others. Shepherd has promised to supply Roscoe's garden with Norfolk 'Verbascum pulverulentum', 'Verbascum triste' ("Flora Graeca"), and Lily of the Valley from seed gathered in local woods. Believes Shepherd's correspondence with Lady [Amelia] Hume and Lady de Clifford [Sophia Southwell] will be "mutually useful". Asks Roscoe's opinion on Latin declination of name "de Medicio, Mediceorum".

'Bryum cirrhatum' the same as 'Bryum dicksoni'. Has recently sent [James] Sowerby 'Allium carinatum' but cannot find 'Hypnum polycarpon' in fruit so unable to send it for drawing. Asks to be remembered as having found and ascertained 'Hypnum polycarpon' and offers to send more specimens if needed.

Thanks for parcel from Smith. Delighted by John Shepherd's [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] account of his visit to London and Norwich, and the acquisitions of "the first importance" and connections he has made. Praises Smith's "Tour of the Continent", of which the observations and opinions accord with his own, and believes the "well tempered zeal for national liberty, that love of science & predilection for works of art" will render it highly interesting to all who feel "for the true dignity & happiness of mankind". Confirms Smith's declination of word "Mediceorum" and discusses the usage. Distressed by public affairs; "was there ever such an instance of the insanity of mankind as the present war".

Recommends a chimney-sweeping machine for Smith to introduce at Norwich.

Printed notice by Society for Superseding the Necessity of Climbing Boys..., dated 26 October 1803, recommending to the general public the chimney cleaning machine invented by Mr Smart.

Praises the "truly Christian goodness" of Smith's cookmaid, Mrs Cobbold, for sending presents "to those who persecuted her". Currently a bad market for all sales and now has 200 sheep and 46 head of cattle undisposed of, which will eat him out. Continuing heavy snow fall. Mrs Johnes thanks Smith for the seeds; she has now taken the conservatory and garden under her management. He has made his cook his gardener, as he did not have enough work to do, since which time he has become a "much superior cook". Mariamne [Johnes, his daughter] is very attentive to her music and drawing, and has two gardens to look after, one of which has just been ornamented with a vase Smith might have seen at [Sir Joseph] Banks' in London.

Enjoyed reading [William] Hayley's "Life of Cowper". Did not learn much from [William] Godwin's "[Life of] Chaucer" for his translation of Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler], but is saved him from attempting a "history of the manners of those times", and though he criticises Godwin's "unequal & dogmatical" style believes he has "made an addition to our literature". Busy ensuring his first volume is ready for Christmas though certain of errors and unclear on how White will publish it.