Sorry Smith's health obliges him to employ an amanuensis. They have lost a score of trees to the severe weather and high winds, though they have had little snow. Mariamne [Johnes, his daughter], returns her thanks to Smith; she stopped using the machine [for a spinal complaint] a long time ago, and doubts she will take Smith's advice as she complains of it "hurting her eye, & affecting her head". Hopes to avoid London this year as he has so much work with his printing press. Invites Smith to divert to Hafod during his trip to Bath, [Somerset], and Liverpool, [Lancashire]. Mr Brigstocke and his family of Blaenpant are good friends of his; hopes Smith's acquaintance will be comfortable there and expects to see her. Asks if Smith has read [Thomas] Beddoes' [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] pamphlet on gout; he is convinced.

Received Smith's letters of 15 and 28 [February ?]. Sent Smith information on the estates he is selling to be given to his Quaker friend and other interested parties. His family in good health, though his daughter [Mariamne Johnes] complains of headaches and she is to start taking Calx again as a precaution against the influenza currently raging in the country. Wishes the French would "keep themselves and their disorders at home".

His translation of Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] going well, though had to dismiss his "rogue" of a printer and is expecting a replacement from Edinburgh. Todd [his gardener] is recovering from a head injury after falling from his horse, and had been suffering "jealous whims" though hopes they are gone with the blood the leeches took from his head.

Received Smith's letter of 19 [July]. Pleased Smith's Liverpool lectures are so successful and hopes he will repeat annually. Thinks Liverpool is "one of the most liberal commercial towns", and that William Roscoe's "taste & knowledge in Italian literature" has made it "fashionable". Pleased Roscoe has finished his "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo [X]"; supposes Roscoe used Lord Cork's "envious papers" of the period, he had nothing for Roscoe himself but Mr Shepherd found some "curious letters" of Poggio [Bracciolini (1380-1459), Italian scholar].

Mariamne [Johnes, his daughter] fonder of her gardens than ever and is in good health, and recently danced all evening. In "a most melancholy spectacle", Todd [his gardener], has become an "idiot" [after sustaining a head injury falling from his horse, see RelatedMaterial below] but is wasting away in spite of his appetite, so they hope he shall be quietly die. His farmyard narrowly escaped burning down, and only lost about £150 and no man, beast, or hay were damaged.

Yesterday had the "very considerable gain" of a lay estate in Cardigan, after settlement of a long running Chancery suit, and on selling his other estates shall be "too rich". Hopes his first volume [translation of Jean Froissart (c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] will be printed by Christmas; there is to be folio edition of 20 and quatro of 300. Rained for the first time this month, does not remember a longer drought.

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.

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.