Has sent a box of plants from the Italian Alps. Will shortly print the "Auctarium ad floram Pedem". Asks Smith to forward a business commission.

Two notes: one dated 2 January making an appointment to call on Smith in the morning to go together to see the "Bocconi's" herbarium; the other dated 6 January accompanying "country plants" and asking Smith to look after them until they can study them together.

Their enjoyment of Smith's letters. Not sorry that Smith not "bit with Poetic Phrenzy" on his visit to Vaucluse, "no Muse rewards her Votaries so ill"; discusses this. Norwich news. Sending turkies to Sir Joseph Banks, thinks he expects a letter from Smith.

Hopes Smith will visit this country when he travels in Europe; received his letters of 22 June 1785 and 11 November 1785. Details of back numbers of "Proceedings of the Royal Society of Uppsala" and order by [Thomas] Pennant; contents of new volume; other new European publications. Requests anatomical writings of [William Cumberland] Cruikshank [(1745-1800), anatomist] and handbooks of [John] Hunter [(1728-1793), surgeon and anatomist]. Condemns rumours started by [Carl] Thunberg regarding sale price of Linnaean collections.

Praises Smith's thesis ["Disputatio Inauguralis quaedam de Generatione complectens"]. Discusses the subject further including apparent suggestions for experiments with chickens and speculation on hereditary traits. Asks Smith to use all his energies in acquiring the "hidden treasures" of [Charles] Plumier's [(1646-1704) French botanist] collections in Paris. Asks Smith to buy any works by [Lorenzo] Bellini [(1643-1704) Italian physician and anatomist] Smith comes across. Possible incorrect classification of 'Clypeola maritima L' into 'Alyssum siculum' and 'Alyssum maritimum'. Asks for second part of [Giovanni Antonio] Scopoli's "Entomology"; [Louis] Gerard's "Flora Gallo-provincialis" and new edition of [Antoine-Joseph Dezallier] D'argenville's "Conchologie". Relates various upcoming periodicals with warning they all precede Smith's. Believes Smith will correct Linnaeus with more temperance than [Lazzaro] Spallanzani or Barrington, criticises Spallanzani's "wretched unnecessary trash". Pleased with books received from Smith but wishes [Sébastien] Vaillant had more figures in ["Botanicon Parisiense"]. Sir Thomas Cullum, Laurence and Priest have abandoned study of botany. Cullum and others in Suffolk want to establish a society to support wives and orphans of physicans, apothecaries and surgeons, Gwyn dismisses it as "relieving the parishes [of] their charges & taking away every spur to frugality and industry". Reports a favourable winter.

Smith elected Correspondent Member of Société Royale d'Agriculture. Cavanilles' work on 'Malvaceoe'. A beaver in the Rhone. [Charles Louis] L'Héritier [de Brutelle] in London. [Sir Joseph] Banks and [Olof] Swartz. List of economic plants acquired.

Received Smith's letter of 2 [February 1787]. Regrets not seeing their "mutual best friend", [Samuel] Goodenough, as much as he would like to; they have described about 200 new British insect species but struggle without reference to the Linnaean collections. He has not said anything of the new Society [Linnean Society] other than to [John] Lyon of Dover, [Kent], who has despaired of the present one [Society for the Promotion of Natural History] and is committed to the new.

Showed Sir Joseph Banks the section of Smith's letter concerning [Lazzaro] Spallanzani [(1729-1799), natural historian] [on dispute between Spallanzani and Giovanni Scopoli over mismanagement of the Univsersity of Pavia museum; Smith was a supporter of Scopoli]; Banks read it aloud to the gentlemen present, including [William] Hudson, L'Héritier, [Olof] Swartz, and [Jonas] Dryander. Swartz has been collecting Jamaican plants and is comparing them with Banks' West India herbarium.

Thanks Smith for obtaining some of his 'Lepidotera' desiderata; requests further species. Progress of [William] Jones figures of same; received parcel of insects from China but only contained two 'Papilio' not yet figured by Jones. Discusses [John] Latham's "Le Courent Bris" from his ["General synopsis of birds"]. [James] Dickson had a successful natural history excursion in north of Britain but all his findings were lost in wreck off Dutch coast. A valuable new entomological correspondent, and others.

Publication of [William] Curtis' "Botanical Magazine". Recent appointments, including at [Society for Promotion of Natural History] and East India Company. Wishes he could have joined Smith on his "7 golden days" in Florence; wishes he had an independent fortune of his own and thinks Smith's situation a "most enchanting one". Comments on Spallanzani and Scopoli dispute.

Received Smith's letter of 13 January. Account of the recent politics: his opinion of the imminent commercial treaty with France; hopes it will allow for natural history exports but uncertain of its long term prospects; account of current political state of the measure. Proceedings in Parliament including call for impeachment of [Warren] Hastings [(1732-1818), Governor-General of India 1773-1785] by [William] Pitt (1759-1806), Prime Minister 1783-1801 & 1804-1806] and others. Lord Mansfield is angry that Sir Lloyd Kenyon has been appointed to succeed him and refuses to resign and wishes for Buller instead. Dimisses a very a popular pamphlet [by Sir Nathaniel William Wraxall] called "A Short Review of the Political State of Great Britain" as "a jumble of the best sort of coffee house conversation". Portugal considered very inferior at the moment but Ministry very much perplexed by Irish affairs as the treaty says France is to be "the most favour'd nation".

Busy amusing himself with the idea of their new [Linnean] Society, which must replace "the present gross body" [Society for the Promotion of Natural History]. Critiques its activities which "go on in the usual way of having a fossil or plant go round the table, nothing is or can be said upon it - it is referr'd to a committee to consider of it" and then sent back and forth between Society and committee. Certain that if Sir Joseph Banks was not president of the Royal Society he would join [Thomas] Marsham, Smith, and himself in the new Society. Goodenough's "Systema Accentuatum" ready for the press but shall not print until Smith returns to England; he and Marsham have described 200 new species. Sent seeds received from West Indies to Kew, also received grasses. Currently setting up his insect cabinet with a collection of "some hundreds".

Hopes Smith sees [Carlo] Allioni; greatly admires his natural history work. Calls [Lazzaro] Spallanzani [(1729-1799), physiologist] a "rascal"; detests a natural history thief "beyond all possible theives" [Scopoli dispute]. Requests 'Curculis paraplecticus' and 'Agrostis minima'.

Replies to Smith's letters of 2 October [1786] and 12 February [1787]; pleased that Smith still thinks of his Norwich friends; thanks for Bulliard [plates for "Histoire des champignons" (1791-1812)] and offer of Leers' "Flora". Comments on [Anders Jahan] Retzius' [(1742-1821)] output. Thanks for 'Gnaphalium luteo-album' and 'Agrostis minima'. Smith's access to so many famed herbariums like "taking a journey to Jupiter or Saturn". Smith's 'Senecio acanthifolius' must be "magnificent". If Smith travels through Switzerland recommends consulting [Albrecht von] Haller's [(1708-1777)] herbarium as useful for a "Flora Anglica" considering so many Swiss plants are native to England. Comments on Smith's account of his travels, including visit to [Louis] Gerard, time in Genoa with Marquis [Ippolito Durrazo], Florence, and [Lazzaro] Spallanzani's [(1729-1799), Roman Catholic priest and natural historian] disgrace, and the non-reviews of Smith's tract attacking "so great a personage".

Has not found any new cryptogamia this winter but [James] Dickson's expedition to Scotland produced 150 new species of mosses, jungermanniae, and lichens, though many were lost when [James] Crowe's portmanteau was stolen. Saw Smith's mother in Norwich who informed him of [Robert] Batty's relapse, including vomiting blood. An election declared void on account of bribery by House of Commons following petition by Sir T Beever, details of reelection. Death of his father-in-law, Mr Manning; short confinement after long decline from diabaetes.

Received Smith's letters of 12 February and 5 March 1787. They enjoy Smith's letters but always worry for his health and safety. Account of his trip to London: visited Smith's Chelsea appartment and found all as it should be, paid Molly; Mrs Howorth showed him a letter from Smith; [Robert] Batty has vomited blood, his wife an "agreeable companion"; breakfasted with Sir Joseph Banks. Norwich news. Told that the road from Milan to Turin is in danger of "banditti"; urges caution. Smith's brother, Francis, is pursuing astronomy.

Forwards letter [unspecified] as requested. His father died in February. Has not heard anything from [Pierre Marie Auguste] Broussonet in the last month. Sends good wishes.

Intended to send a catalogue of seeds from from botanic garden of Santa Maria Nuova hospital, of which he is the head, as thanks for coming to see the herbarium of [Pier Antonio] Micheli [(1679-1737)] but it has been delayed. Will send any seeds Smith requests. Requests seeds of 'Lathyrus cicera'.

Desiderata in Smith's hand, second folio, comprising: 'Amethystea coerulea'; 'Avena nuda'; 'Catananche lutea'; 'Cerastium alpinum'; 'Cardamine resedifolia'; 'Dianthus diminutus'; 'Dolichos sesquipedalis'; 'Hasselquistia aegyptiaca'; 'Hieracium auricula'; 'Lagoecia cuminoides'; 'Silene atocion'; and 'Xeranthemum annuum'.

Received Smith's Rome letter of 19 February. Was worried Smith was offended with him for not embracing his "scheme" [formation of Linnean Society] with same ardour as Smith and others. Confesses he feels too much ignorance when with the "ingenious and scientific" to be a part of it. Repeats remark by [Conyers Middleton (1683-1750) Church of England clergyman] that the journey to Italy is like the "the common stages and journey of life". Mentions a traveller in Sciliy who though the large 'Aloes' there were indiginous, recalls Smith's remarks and his own observations of plants on the coast being able to survive severe weather. Request from [John] Latham for Smith to acquire a good description of the "Courier" bird, described by several but seen only by Aldrovandus [Ulisse Aldrovandi (1522-1605) Italian naturalist]. Looking forward to Smith and [William] Younge's return to London, [Samuel] Goodenough and [Thomas] Marsham are well.

Confusion over Stelarzani business, following letters from [Giovanni Antonio] Scopoli and Seraphin Volta. [Charles Louis] L'Héritier [de Brutelle] is in England being difficult with specimens. Value of [Olof] Swartz's herbarium, "the best botanist [Banks] has seen since dear Solander's death". Appointments at the British Museum and comments on Richard Penneck, Keeper of the Reading Room. Proceedings at the Royal Society; an account from [Sir Frederick William] Herschel of volcanoes burning on the moon.

Received Smith's letters of 26 March and 11 April [1787]. Anxious for Smith's safety on account of the "jealous government" of Venice and "cut throats" of Lombardy; indebted to their Milan friends Messrs Malanot and Maghit for the kindnesses they showed Smith. Books received for Smith. Concern for his silk trade. Molly Standard [Smith's house attendant] is with child by the man who courted her; Smith's mother will either find someone new or have Molly return after she is better. Dispute between Sir Thomas Beevor and Mr Hobart.

Received Smith's letter of 7 May [1787]. Their eagerness that though Smith is on the way home he should not pass up any opportunities to improve his knowledge and taste and form useful connections. News of "cousin Thomas Smith" and complications in a romantic attachment to Miss Smith; complications in will of Mrs Smith of Sheffield, [Yorkshire]. Has been following Smith's route through Italy in Abbé Richard's book.

Received Smith's letter of 23 May. Thanks for condolences on death of his father. Recently and apparently suddenly married. Invites Smith to Genoa. Has despaired of hearing from [Pierre Marie Auguste] Broussonet and will seek out a new scientific correspondent in Paris. Smith has noted on the second page his reply, informing Durazzo when he expected to be in Genoa.

Last letter received from Smith was 7 May [1787]. [William] Younge has parted from Smith as he wished to return to England and not spend further time in Genoa. Asks Smith not to buy him a watch in Geneva. Norwich news.

Detailed account of journey from Milan to Geneva via Lago Maggiore, Valois, Simpelen, Bryg, Syon, Martigny, Villeneuve, Vevay, and Lausanne. Found on the banks of the lake Margozza a possible 'Lobelia', and 'Ros solis', its irritability proven by the flies trapped in the leaves. Alpine plants found on Mount Simpelen: 'Alchemilla alpina', a 'Pinguicula' (an 'alpina'?), a 'Pedicularis', 'Geranium pyrenaicum', a 'Gnaphalium', two 'Gentian', 'Primula', 'Pinguicula' in abundance, and profusion of probable 'Rhododendron ferrugineum'. Remarks on the large size of and frequency of goitres amongst the female inhabitants of Syon and to a lesser extent the men, believes it is a swelling of the parotid and submaxillary glands. Recommends the bookseller Potts in Lausanne where it is possible to procure the "Introduction ad Hist. Nat." printed in Prague and "Anni V" of Scopoli. Warns that there are no botanical books in Geneva.

His experiences in Basle, his first business being to inquire after the mansuscripts and paintings of [Desiderius] Erasmus [(1466-1532), humanist scholar and reformer] and [Hans] Holbein [the younger (1498-1543), artist] held in the Library there. Under the supervision of Professor Falkner saw there Holbein's portrait of Sir Thomas More's family; his "Passion of the Christ" in eight separate panels, praising Holbein's faces for not having "that great stiffness observable in most paintings of the year 1520"; his "Last Supper", Younge's favourite; and two "capital" minitures of Erasmus by Holbein. Another room contained Erasmus' manuscripts including a copy of "Stultitiae Laus" ["In Praise of Folly" (1511)] with drawings by Holbein in the margins; Erasmus' will in his own hand; a manuscript of the Coucil of Basel's suspension of the pope's authority; and a copy of [Fabio] Colonna's [(1567-1650)] "Phytobasnos".

His second visit was to see [Caspar] Bauhin's [(1560-1624), Swiss botanist] herbarium, owned by Mr de la Chenal. Chenal assisted [Albrecht von] Haller in his "great botanical work" and has the greatest private botanical library he has ever seen, including: Dillenius' "Hist. Muscorum", Columnae's "Le Phrasis" and "Phytobasnos", [John] Ray's "Synopsis Plant." (1724), [Sir Hans] Sloane's "Jamaica", Gerard, Jacquin, Linnaeus' "Flor. Lapp.", "Hist. Botan." etc. Jacquin has named 'Lachenalia tricolor' after Chenal, Younge has received a coloured plate of it. Chenal has offered Smith any assistance needed with Bauhin's plants, including those Linnaeus was mistaken about. Jacquin considering publication of a "Systema vegetabilium". Informs Smith that Chenal has two copies of "Phytobasnos", hints that Smith might be able to procure one for himself [Smith did acquire one of these copies].

Recommends Smith visit the house of M Mechel, engraver, for a very fine collection of English, French, and German prints, and a churchyard for a dance of death in in the style of Holbein. No old books in Basel, particularly botanical. Planning on travelling to Paris via Strasbourg.