Thanks for parcel of plants, his joy at receiving "this treasure" from Smith, whom he considers his "teacher in botany". Account of his botanical education, which began with Smith's "Compendium florae Britannicae" when studying in Germany.

Enquires after protocol for sending papers to the Linnean Society. Discusses German botanical authors and their publications, including [Johann Friedrich] Blumenbach, [Albrecht Wilhelm] Roth, and [Friedrich Wilhelm von] Leysser; botanised with the latter. Hopes Smith received and enjoyed the medical paper he sent.

Intends to open a school for "young gentlemen" at Christmas, encloses card [extant], hopeful of its answering.

At Smith's request informs him of his family's acquaintance with Dr Hurlock, who cured his father "of a sort of cancer in his mouth". Asks if Smith saw the plants Hurlock received from Labrador, which were gathered by his [Turner's] mother, and his mother brought a box of roots when his parents returned to England. Mr Burkard probably the only person in Labrador still gathering plants. Does not remember much of the time he spent in Labrador as a child. Hopes to visit Smith next summer.

Card announcing Turner's school and cost of lessons.