Reassures Smith that he reads all of his works. A "moderate person" could not find fault with politics of Smith's "Tour"; surprised at [Thomas] Marsham's violent criticism. Relieved to hear of [Samuel] Goodenough from Smith; their work together on 'Fucus'. Received a proposal for publishing a "Life of Linnaeus", to be dedicated to Linnean Society and written by [Joseph] Trapp; his concerns. Asks Smith to procure Sierra Leone coins from [Adam] Afzelius. Received call from Smith's brother, John.

Pleasure at reading Smith's "Tour of the Continent", agrees with Smith's disparaging comments on the French, comments that the French Revolution would be happy if "the proud waves of correction" could be controlled, "but the cruel inundation has made havoc indiscriminate". Sorrow at execution of the "merciful" Louis XVI but rejoices at executions of [Jacques Pierre] Brissot [(1754-1793)] and other regicides. Recommends Smith reads the "private life of Louis XV".

Prefers that if a plant is named for him that it is capable of being cultured in England ['Pultenaea', an Australian plant, was named]. Received Sierra Leone seeds from [François] Borone, unsure if he can grow them. Asks if the "oak leather" fungus in [John] Ray's "Synopsis" is known and investigated in London, offers to send specimen, believes it is the dry rot of house timbers.

Encloses a supplementary paper for "Linnean Transactions"explaining the plates to his paper 'Observations on the British Species of Carex', does not intend for it to reflect badly on [James] Sowerby. Fears the letter sent from Bulstrode in January giving his opinion on Smith's "Tour" has miscarried; reiterates his enjoyment of them but expresses his concern that three or four passages will not meet with royal approval as "Kings and Queens love to read the praises of Kings and Queens". Surprised by Smith's "multifarious" reading, took several pages to be in the style of Dr [Andrew] Kippis [(1725-1795), nonconformist and biographer].

Transcribes supporting statement made by Dr Godfry Christian Reich of Erlangen in support of his FMLS application, in which he offers to translate Smith's "Tour of the Continent" into German. Requests Smith's opinion and response. Recommends [Johan Christian] Fabricius' "Entomologia systematica emendata et aucta".

Has recommended Dr Godfry Christian Reich as a FMLS. Dr Meyer requested to publish a new [German] edition of his "Index [Ornithologicus]", which he declined; believes Reich will be a capable translator of Smith's "Tour of the continent". Will write for copy of [Johan Christian] Fabricius' last work for Smith from his German contact. Intends to send Recih copies of "Linnean Transactions" and Smith's "Tour".

Thanks Smith for his "obliging attention" and assures him "her sentiments have always corresponded with those of the song" [Smith has annotated at foot of letter: "[William] Cowper's [(1731-1800)] poem on the slave trade ["The Negro's Lament]"]. Sorry that she has to leave London just as Smith's botanical lectures begin.

Confirms that her health has been bad since Smith's last visit but implores him and his three friends to still visit. Grieg, her gardener, has been confined for five weeks after injuring his leg climbing over a gate but has escaped fever and mortification. Her botanical zeal low recently. Prefers eating 'Convolvulus batatas' [sweet potato] to potatoes.

Encloses book for Smith [unspecified but probably Fabricius' "Entomologia systematica"], though disappointed to find it contains only half the "Lepidepture", the other in a forthcoming volume. Advocates proposal to make [Thomas] Pennant an Honorary Member of the Linnean Society.

Reread Smith's "Tour"; his criticisms, intended for use in a second edition. Picks out particular points for praise over two pages, remaining two pages contain corrections, additions, and substitutions.

Correction of his Latin used in his description of 'Carex axillaris' [for his paper 'Observations on the British Species of Carex']. Unsure if he can see Smith at Kew on Wednesday. Further details of a letter previously sent but apparently lost. Sorry to hear that the Queen [Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III] has been so "[un]impressed" [by Smith's remarks on the French Queen, Marie Antoinette, in his "Sketch of a Tour on the Continent"]; "Kings & Queens naturally like to have the cause of Kings & Queens be praised". Another letter containing a draft for money has also been lost; informed that his postman is "drunk daily" but dares not have him turned out as he has eight children to feed. Promises Smith the lost letter did not contain any critique of his work, only pointed out passages for praise or those which might be taken amiss.

Returns Smith's manuscript.

Polemic by Smith, "People of England! Beware of Wolves in Sheep's Cloathing!" [extant], refuting attempts by others equating political situation in Britain to that of pre-Revolutionary France, dated November 1792.