Thanks for Smith's letter and condolences, "the blow has been most severe, and more so, from bring so very unexpected" [possibly death of his sister, Elizabeth, wife of Hanbury Williams]. Will assist Smith in the publication of his "Tour of Hafod", though warns his circle of friends has reduced considerably. Not surprised by [Richard] Salisbury's conduct. Glad Smith likes [Benjamin] Malkin's [(1769-1842), antiquarian] book ["The Scenery, Antiquities, and Biography of South Wales" (1804)], who is a friend of his. Mariamne [Johnes, his daughter] is well and walks 5 to 7 miles daily. news. Asks that they be remembered to the Mr and Mrs Kindersley; "had our strange sister [Charlotte] followed his advice it would have been better for her".

Received Smith's letter yesterday, remarks on potatoes. Heard from [Benjamin] Malkin [(1769-1842), antiquarian] that Smith's book ["A tour to Hafod" (1810)] was in a "fair way of being made publick". Discusses views and drawings of Hafod, a plan of house, drawing of the mosaic "with its proper colours", internal rearrangements he has made, an engraving of the obelisk he erected to the late [Francis Russell, 5th] Duke of Bedford [(1765-1802)], has no drawing of the "charming chain bridge" on a new walk he has made.

They are all in good health except for [Hanbury] Williams [his brother-in-law], who seems "on the decline", though "if he would not give such way to his grief" [following death of his wife and Johnes' sister, Elizabeth] he would "last some time". Delightful weather and fine foliage, though the "urns of my river gods are almost dry".

Thanks for Smith's letter of 13 [August]. Will miss Smith's friend Colonel Purton as he will be at the Cardigan assizes. His wife has had a return of her spasms. [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] has been dangerously ill but now convalescing; he is their "sheet anchor" as he knows all their constitutions so well. Describes interior and exterior improvements at Hafod; has let out the farm he had in hand at three times the rent as when he took it on, and has now begun improving 2000 acres of wildground to let out in four or five years time.