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.

Has been kept busy attending to county business, believes "in these perilous times [...] it is the duty of everyone to put a hand to the plough" [threat of invasion by Napoleon]. Would like to meet [William] Roscoe. Hopes that the people will change their attitudes to the war, "as they grow wiser in science so they may in politics & learn the true [difference] between justice and tyranny". Would like a particular account of Forster's herbarium. Letter from [Alexander von] Humboldt and [Aimé] Bonpland in Peru in most recent number of "Annals de Museum National", they have collected 3000-4000 specimens. Milne [(fl 1800s-1810s) William Beckford's gardener] has informed him that Beckford wishes Smith to see [Fonthill] Abbey and all its improvments, "the only person that has that permission, even the Duke of Norfolk [...] was refused". Shocked by news from Ireland [a rebellion in Dublin]. Impressed with [William] Turton's [(1762-1835), conchologist] "Syst. Veg.". 'Leea crispa' growing well in his stove. All of [William] Roxburgh's plants growing well.

Encloses 8 sheets of translations [of Linnaeus' Lapland travel journal, for Smith's "Lachesis Lapponica"] as a sample should Smith decide to have the whole translated; justifies the cheaper rate he charged [William George] Maton for translating letters [for his "A general view of the writings of Linnaeus"] on account of increased difficulty of hand and content.

Calculations for cost of translating the whole tour journal.

Synonymy of plants in his and Smith's works; understands English and finds Smith's works most useful.

After spending a few days in Liverpool is confident that natural history will receive adequate encouragement there and that the provision for botany is already "sufficiently splendid". Believes that the establishment of the Botanic Garden will provide for more than just cultivation and botanical arrangement. Remarks on Liverpool's advantages, especially its location for "obtaining the productions of the West".

He is anxious for specimens of seeds, seed vessels and woods, and all vegetable curiosities of foreign growth to form a collection to illustrate "the natural growth & philosophical character & useful application in the arts of different plants". Pleased to hear that "Flora Graeca" has gone to the printers, and although disappointed Smith did not go with Collingswood for the publication is sure that Taylor will serve him well. His electioneering temporarily suspended on account of summer holiday. Recommends Mr Hudson, an Oxford academic. A painting apparently to be sold.

Introduces Dr Allen, of Norwich, [Norfolk]. He and Mrs Forster hope to see the Smiths at Blundeston, [Suffolk], in a few weeks.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. 'Hieracium cerinthoides', possibly a variety 'H. cerinthoides' of Linnaeus [Smith annotation: "'cerinthoides' laid in"]; 2. a one year old plant of 'Thalpsi incanum' and 'Sagina morina' [Smith annotation: "burnt"]; 3. a lichen which [Dawson] Turner thinks new [Smith annotation: "see letter of June 7 1803"].

Ill with an inflammatory sore throat for a fortnight. At Smith's request will attempt to provide specific distinction between 'Thlaspi incanum' and 'T. campestre'; numbered observations on differences [also labelled specimens of stem leaves and silicles of each].

Thinks that 'Epilobium cordifolium' seems to stand between 'E. alpinnum' and 'E. montanum'; numbered observations supporting his claim. Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. 'Galium' seeds, either 'G. lemnius' or new; 2. a 'Phascum', probably 'P. nitidum' [Smith annotation: "i.e. 'axillare' right"]; 3. a 'Poa' [Smith annotation: "'glauca' Fl. Brit.? laid in"]; 4. a 'Lichen' possibly 'L. sedum' in fructification [Smith annotation: "'orostheus'? laid in"]; 5. a 'Myostis'.

Believes he sent [James] Sowerby a good specimen of 'Fissidens polycorpus' of Hedwig.

Labelled specimens of 4 stem leaves and silicles of 'Thlaspi incanum'; 2 stem leaves and silicles of 'T. campestre'; 'Phascum nitidum' [Smith annotation: "i.e. 'axillare' right"]; and a piece of bark with lichen fragments.

Relates his and [William Fitt Drake's] journey from Liverpool to Norwich, with quotes from Petrarch and Rousseau, via Disley, [Cheshire], Buxton, [Derbyshire], Ashbourne, [Derbyshire], Matlock, [Derbyshire], Newark, Cambridge, and [Burghley] House, [Cambridgeshire]. Cambridge [botanic] garden "in a very flourishing state" and [James] Donn [(1758-1813), curator Cambridge Botanic Garden] is in correspondence with [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden], and acquired roots of 'Aletris uvaria' which are now growing in his garden.

Upset to see the plants and books of his late "beloved friend", [Edmund] Davall, before him, and regrets never visiting him in Switzerland. Invites Roscoe to visit Norwich and meet his wife, [Pleasance Smith]. Expecting copy of Roscoe's "Lorenzo".

Reflects on Smith's visit to Liverpool and their new acquaintance; considers Smith a "friend of very early days, but lately found".

Expects [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] to go to London to look through the nurseries in October. He and Shepherd lately studied difficult 'Pancratium', 'Crinum', and 'Amaryllis' and now thinks the '[Crinum] americanum' they saw at Lord Derby's is '[Crinum] latifolium' of Linnaeus and 'Amaryllis latifolia' of L'Héritier. Will hopefully be able to see Smith for a few days at Norwich. Would like to establish a regular correspondence with Smith, or if he is busy, his "deputy", [William Fitt] Drake.

Received a parcel of specimens and two volumes of lectures from [Antonio José] Cavanilles for Smith. Visited [George] Williams in Oxford followed by stay with the Marquess of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill]. Impressed with Blandford's botanic garden, who has done "more than anyone in the cultivation of plants". Describes Blandford's arboretum which includes 'Pinus maritima', he is also currently building a water plants hothouse, plants from Botany Bay, [Australia], grow as well as in their native climate. Believes "if any cultivator deserves a Genus it is his Lordship". Blandford wishes to see Smith at Whiteknights, [Reading, Berkshire], next year.

Negotiates price for translating Linnaeus' travel journal [for Smith's "Lachesis Lapponica"]; difficulties of such an undertaking, including impact on his personal time and uncertainty how many folios it will fill.

Encloses list of members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for the year 1803 [extant]. Notes on some of the members.

Handwritten list of the members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for the year 1803 [8 pp].

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.