Concerned to hear about Smith's "serious illness" at [Richard] Salisbury's; hopes the worst of the erysipelas is over. Will send new Linnean Society list and "Linnean Transactions" vol 6 shortly. The Society rules are to be confirmed or rejected at the next meeting. Asks if he can do anything for Smith in the north of Scotland and Orkneys.

Enquires after Smith's recovery from his illness. Current "extraordinary weather" is very unfavourable to invalids; she has never known such "unabating high winds with violent storms of rain & sometimes hail, at this time of the year", she has been feeling very indifferent.

Smith to receive his catalogue of [Gian Carlo] Dinegro's garden before Dinegro leaves England, it contains new species which Viviani intends to include in his own work. Dinegro responsible for botany's inclusion in the Genoese school curriculum. Viviani plans to resend to Smith the lost dried specimens of plants intended for his book.

Wishes to join the Linnean Society; his credentials are in the mineral and vegetable kingdoms, which his location serves him well for. Lists his credentials, including membership of Medical Society, a paper published in "Philosophical Transactions" 1777 [see RelatedMaterial below], and a large work on surgery currently in preparation and to be dedicated to the King [George III (1738-1820)]. His London relations.

Has sent as many of Smith's desiderata as he could find. The 'Splachnum' Smith sent may be 'Splachnum purpum'. Would like to compare his lichens and mosses with the ones Smith received from his foreign friends as it is "the best way of being sure of plants".

Dufresne visiting London; has added 500 new genera to his work; Corrêa in Paris; desiderata.

Sorry to hear Smith has been so ill. Re-elected member of Parliament, as was Mr Vaughan, so preventing "even a possibility of any disturbance in the county". Lists visitors to his house over summer.

Though Smith has let [William] Windham [(1750-1810), politician] know his sentiments "pretty clearly" does not approve of [William] Smith whom Smith exchanged for him, as he is "too much the opposite". Has no opinion of those politicians who under "pretence of patriotism or alarm would sacrifice every thing to their faction". Laments loss of friendship between himself and Windham since their school days. His wife and daughter [Mariamne Johnes] well and the latter grown so stout Smith would not know her, though "this sad weather" much against his "invalids".

Expects Dyke shortly to view the estate he intends to sell, which if sold near his expectations shall be a "made man". Asks how fearnoughts [thick woollen cloth for overcoats] are selling this year as if not too dear shall want some for his poor people.