Thanks for Smith's letter [of 17 February 1792] and parcel containing "Flora Lapponica"; missing sheets. Unsure whether to go on with [James] Dickson's ["Hortus siccus Britannicus"] as it is expensive for duplicates and moderate specimens. Thanks for specimens of 'Iberis amara' and 'Lycoperdon cancellatum', which is definitely the "nidus of insects".

Congratulates Smith on "high honour" of organising the Queen's [Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818)] herbarium but fears the main benefit will be opportunity of consulting [John] Lightfoot's herbarium, as the King [George III (1738-1820)] and Queen are "famous for being satisfied with the honour which their acceptance of obligations confers" and gives example of a friend who gave a Hunter to the King for free.

Alarmed to hear of the Pantheon fire [a theatre near Smith's house] and danger to Smith's health and library; asks if the apothecary whose premises were damaged by falling of the inner walls some days later was [Robert] Batty's. [John] Pitchford passed on letter from [James] Sowerby requesting specimens of fungi; will endeavour to supply him, lists those he could send now.

"Buried" in snow at present. Intends to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting. They are to petition "all over Suffolk" against the slave trade.

Received Smith's parcel; very pleased with second faciculus [of "Icones pictae"], particularly figures of 'Justicia', 'Tradescantia', 'Oxalis', 'Sisyrinchium', 'Hydrangea', and 'Ligusticum', the "most desirable of the whole", though it will be criticised for not being an "exotic plant" and for lacking any "picturesque charms"; praises Latin and English descriptions and points out errors.

Suspects one of the reviewers of "Linnean Transactions" was Professor [Thomas] Martyn. Further praise of Smith's "Introductory discourse", including from Mr Zouch, who was convinced to become a FLS after hearing it; discusses Smith's writing style. Discusses other reviews of the volume, including one which hopes never to see "new plants introduced, without scientific specific differences annexed"; a "very good" caution to them. An addition for his 'Lycoperdon' paper. Prevented from attending Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Wishes François [Borone] was looking for 'Fucus' specimens during his voyage and on coast of Africa [botanical expedition to Sierra Leone with Adam Afzelius]. Gives various hints and recommendations on gaining advantage from working with the Queen [Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818)] so she does not presume that the honour alone is sufficient payment. Recently acquired Hoffman's ["Historia Salicum iconibus illustrata"]; looks a good work, as does his "Plantae lichenosae".

Confirms he will not be attending Linnean Society anniversary meeting. [Robert] Stone [(c 1751-1829), botanist] severely ill with gout in his stomach but now recovered; he had thought of quitting the Linnean Society but now does not. Recommends [David Elisha] Davy of Yoxford, [Suffolk], who is to visit London, "a very diligent young botanist" who intends to join the Linnean Society once he knows more of the science.

Alarmed to hear that Smith is in Matlock for his health; asks after it another work he had due out. His opinion of "Flora Lapponica". Sir Thomas Cullum received legacy of £5000 from his brother-in-law, Mr Palmer, making him much more comfortable; recipients of the remainder.

'Ophrys anthropophora' and 'O. nidus-avis' recently found in abundance near Bury, [Suffolk], and 'Ornithogalum pyrenaicum' wild near Yoxford, Suffolk. Asks Smith's opinion of Hoffmann's "Plantae lichenosae" and "Salices" [see RelatedMaterial below]. His account with Smith.

Pleased to hear of Smith's recovery; hopes he enjoys a leisurely stay in Norwich, [Norfolk]; believes the solitariness and bad weather on his first arrival in Matlock brought on attack on his lungs. Bad summer in Suffolk, with a short crop that is causing talk of extravagant prices in the winter. Knows Cromford Moor well but unaware of lichens the last time he was there. Struggled to find fly orchids this year but there are luxuriant bee orchids.

Admired Dr [Erasmus] Darwin's last publication of his "elegant poem", further opinions; visited him in 1781; he and Sir Brooke Boothby [7th baronet, (1744-1824), poet and writer] will be "capital additions" to Linnean Society. Favell mutually pleased with Smith. Has specimen of 'Ornithogalum' for Smith but it does not appear to be 'O. pyrenaicum' or 'O. umbellatum'. Encloses single flower from plant in Sir John Rous' [1st Earl of Stradbroke (1750-1827), politician] garden grown from East India seed, labelled 'Abrus' but evidentally a mistake; observations.

Asks if White has the letterpress to Bulliard's "Histoire des champignons"; has still not received the remaining plates from L'Héritier. Understands Smith is to return to Frogmore to continue work on [John] Lightfoot's herbarium, now the Queen's [Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818)].

Received castor oil on same day as Smith's letter [of 31 October 1792]. Hopes Smith has found a way of "decently conveying" his zoology lectures to the Queen's [Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818)] and Princesses without having "shocked their delicacy". Asks whether his short paper on 'Fucus dasyphyllus' has been read at Linnean Society and whether it will be added to his other two species in "Linnean Transactions" vol 2.

[Samuel] Goodenough is ill with rheumatism or rheumatic gout, they both want to know what the 'Fucus palmotta' Smith received from Sir Thomas Frankland is; asks Smith to compare Linnaean herbarium specimens of 'Fucus foeniculaceus', 'F. abrotanifolius', and 'F. furcellatus' against Gmelin's and [William] Hudson's 'F. concatenatus', and 'F. rotundus'. Reminds Smith of his promise to look over his Scottish plants for 'Fucus inflatus' and 'F. furcellatus' for Goodenough.

Certificate signed by himself and Sir Thomas Cullum nominating [William] Mathew, of Bury, [Suffolk], who has sent rare plants to [James] Sowerby. Approves of enlargement of "English botany"; prefers 6 plates at 2s 6d to 3 at 1s, it will increase sales. Wishes he could get specimens of [James] Dickson's "curious" Scottish plants; wishes 'Linnaea borealis' could be found, as although it grows in "curious gardens" the name is a "most desirable addition to the British flora".

Hopes Smith will be rewarded for his lectures at Frogmore [to the Queen and Princesses], as he has "empty praise enough from the literary world". Leaves the setting of 'Woodwardia' entirely to Smith, though worries Smith will be censured for bestowing more honour than his botanical labours deserve.

Discusses 'Fucus abrotanifolius' and the various specimens of it, in detail. Obstructions of certain people in bookseller chain regarding increase of price of "English botany". [Edward] Donovan's [(1768-1837), natural historian] book on insects "very neat", but unsure of its worth as its main authority is [John] Berkenhout [(1726-1791), physician and naturalist], "a very suspicious authority".