Thanks for parcel of seeds. Numbered observations on enclosed plants, locally found: 1. 'Ribes'; 2. 'Orthotrichum affine'; 3. 'Polytrichum'; 4. 'Hypnum'; 5. 'Bryum' like 'B. caespititium', 'B. capillare', and 'B. bicolor'; 6. 'Equisetum' like 'E. variegatum'.

Will look for the new 'Saxifraga', which Smith intends to name 'S. pedunculodes'. Observations on 'Fassilago hybrida'. Asks if Smith received specimen of 'Urceolorea diamarta'. Observations on 'Primula denticulata' in Smith's "Exotic botany" and other exotic plants, lists those in his possession; asks if Smith can facilitate an exchange with [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] when next in Liverpool, lists his desiderata.

Anticipating Smith's visit to Hall Place on 6 June. Comments on the dry weather but hopes the woods will be productive for Smith with"all kinds of 'Orchis'". Admonishes Smith for being so "naughty as to talk of flagellation". Postscript by Sir William East requesting Smith to ask Mr Darcy, lecturer at the Royal Institution on electricity, about the new discovery of "gabrenism", including on construction of the necessary apparatus and any worthwhile books on the subject, apparently medicinal in application.

Sends sketch of his paper on "natural & artificial arrangements of plants" to Smith [see RelatedMaterial below]; comments and remarks on contents.

Sends the 'Cryptogamous' plant found by Henry Shepherd, brother of John Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] for Smith's opinion. Shepherd thanks Smith for parcel of seeds. Allerton undergoing great changes including completion of modern elevation and sweeping away of old gardens. Anxious to see Smith's "Tour to Hafod". Asks for details of plan, extent, and price of "Flora Graeca". Still regrets cessation of "Exotic botany"; urges Smith to consider an edition of the works of Linnaeus, of which Smith is the only possible editor. Mr Martin [Smith's brother-in-law] making little progress in his recovery.

Has not received the letter or package Smith sent last year. Sending copy of his recently published book with Ortolani, "Statistica generale di Sicilia", and will send his "Indice d'ittiologia siciliana" once it is published. Corrects errors in the plants he sent with a previous letter: his 'Saxifraga tenella' appears to be 'Saxifraga hederacea' L.; his 'Orabanche rubia' perhaps a variety of 'O. fetida' Desf.; his 'Arum autumnalis' variety of 'Arum augustifolium' L.; his 'Hippocrepis biflora' variety of 'Hippocrepis [multisiliquosa]' L.; his 'Scabiosa sessiliflora' same as 'Scabiosa dichotoma' of Bernardino D'Ucria and 'Scabiosa parviflora' of [René Louiche] Desfontaines. Query on stigma of 'Cistus'.

Asks for the botanical news since 1805 and whether [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow's "Species Plantarum", [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon's "Synopsis", and "L'Encyclopedie Methodique" are complete and available in England, following interruption of Sicily's communications with the rest of Europe. Requests copy of Smith's "Prodromus flora Graeca". Requests characters of all new plant genera described since 1805, lists the genera he knows only by name and gives an example of the format he would like them in [Smith has annotated in margin: "sent my paper from ann. of Bot."]. The genera are for his "great work", the aim of which is to apply a simple and uniform method to all plant genera in a similar manner as the classfifcation of animals in zoology.

His brother who lived near Sir William East's in Hurley was so captivated by the "poisonous doctrines of Voltaire & the new philosophy" that he thought he had a right "to go out of life as soon as he was tired of it". Franked Smith's letter to Mr Shepherd. Glad to hear that [George] Don is keen to increase his communications; takes it as a sign for his desire of improvement. The carnations Smith sent are alive and growing; they are being kept in the original ball of earth, wrapped in newspaper, and the whole constantly moistened as he kept the roots of 'Ligustium cornubiense' before planting at Bulstrode [home of Dukes of Portland]. The name of Bulstrode "agitates his mind. 'Monotropa hypopitys' used to grow in Bisham woods, [Berkshire], was sent it from there by Revd Sir Henry Parker. 'Primula farinosa' lining roadsides and over meadows in Cumberland, took roots of it for his garden.

"Wonderful [George] Don! What things he finds!", will forward letter to Norwich. 'Sedum ochroleucum' just on point of flowering and the two carnations growing well. Lists the rarities in his garden, in hope of tempting Smith to visit Rose Castle: 'Orobus sylvaticus', 'Alchemilla alpina', 'Campanula rotundifolia' (Scotch variety), 'Vaccinium oxycoccos', 'Sedum ochroleucum', 'Eryngium alpinum', 'Hieracium mucorum'.

Sends two more packets from "the wonderful man" [George Don], thinks Don's 'Rosa glauca' should be named 'Rosa sanguisorbifolia' on account of the leaf. His field containing 'Galium witheringii' has been mowed but will search for more and send to [James] Sowerby if successful, did not realise it was so rare to Smith.

On first looking at the 'Rosa glauca' he thought it had the exact leaf of 'Sanguisorba officinalis'.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 13 June but still waiting for "the handsome present", blames White [publisher] for not following his advice. Found that the best market for the serges he wanted is in Bristol; thanks Smith for his assistance. Knows little of [Thomas] Andrew Knight and does not share the same opinion "which he seems to have of himself".

Always though D'Eon "a man, & that it was a gambling trick of that scoundrel de Morande to gain money by the policy", and all has now turned out as he expected. Discusses [William] Windham's [(1750-1810), politician] death and his former friendship with him; received a letter from him just before the event. Returned to Hafod first week of June but workmen still here and has no bed to offer anyone. Satisfied to find that all he planned surpasses his expectations, "both for comfort & magnificance", and it is far superior to the old house.

Recently dispateched fresh and dried specimens of 'Galium witheringii' for [James] Sowerby to figure. The plant grows in moist but "barrenised" part of Bank meadow, near Rose Castle, alongside 'Linum catharticum', small 'Agrostis vulgaris', and 'Potentilla anserina'. Believes the sparse vegetation of this part of the meadow is due to eing fertilised late in the season with coal ash. Brief description of appearance of 'Galium witheringii'. Sent Smith two letters from [George] Don.

Mr Drummond just returned from tour of western County Cork where he found a new 'Ophrys'; sends specimen and transcript of Drummond's account of it [extant]. Drummond "much obliged" by Smith's notice of his 'Pinguicula'; Miss Hutchins thought it 'P. vulgaris' of Withering and "English botany"; Drummond's acquisition of this and 'P. grandifolia'.

Drummond's account and description of new 'Ophrys' [3 pp, Smith has annotated on recto of third folio 'Neothia gemmipara']

His sarcastic review of Smith's "Introduction to Botany" in the "Edinburgh Review" a mistake as it was published before he could edit it, and that it was written years ago for another purpose. Stands by his remarks on its "delicacy", having found [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow's translated work ["The principles of botany"] unsuitable for "young ladies". Believes Smith incorrect on gases and that whilst odours may be products of natural bodies atmospheric air is not. About to embark on a mineralogical tour [of the Hebrides]. Has seen the "very splendid and costly "Hafod Tour"".

Specimens and seeds for Lambert, Smith, [Robert] Brown, and Liverpool Botanic Garden from [William] Roxburgh. Received letter from Francis Buchanan just returned from two year absence to Calcutta, India. Received specimens from Nevis from [James Webbe] Tobin [(d 1814)] including 'Sophora [...]sperma' in flower. Met Lord Grenville [William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville (1759-1834)] at Whiteknights [home of George Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford] who is creating large collection of plants and arboretum of pines. Lord and Lady Essex, Countess Brühl, and Sir Walter Scott were also in attendance. Blandford has spent £7000 on his garden in last three years including £3000 on hardy shrubs. Describes a 'Convolvulus' at Englefield, Berkshire, bearing thousands of flowers, sent specimen to Soho Square [home of Sir Joseph Banks], "they know nothing of plants". Describes an 'Anneslea' of Roxburgh's in White Knights aquarium. Has found amongst [Edward Daniel] Clarke's Egyptian specimens 'Mimosa lebbeck', believes it is 'Mimosa speciosa'. Mr Baker intends to buy Sudley [Sudeley] Castle Estate, Gloucestershire.

Thinks German botanist [Johannes] Flüggé [(1775-1816)] is correct in use of 'Paspalus' over 'Paspalum'; discusses the etymology, there can be "no dependence upon Linnaeus for learned criticism". 'Datura stramonium' is "equally efficacious with the foreign plant [unspecified]" for curing the "asthma with paroxysms". His yellow carnation has not flowered this year. Harvest now in great activity, they have had a few days of curious weather. Recently endured a very wet botanical excursion with his family into the high mountains, gathered 'Lycopodium selago', 'Lycopodium clavatum', 'Lycopodium alpinum', 'Empertum nigrum', 'Pteris crispa', 'Aspidium thelypteris', 'Parnassia palustris', and a few Lichens. Growing very fond of Rose Castle and area.

Sending portfolio of drawings soon but Stadler wants them a little longer. Has not had his copies of his [Enguerrand de] Monstrelet [(1400-1453), French chronicler] translation; describes the contents. Discusses a poem and biography of [Emperor] Maximilian [I (1459-1519)] with curious wood cuts by same engraver; lost copies of both in his library fire and replaced former but not the latter yet.

Employing himself in "all the luxury of complete idleness". Though books in Britain are selling at "immense" prices surprised by prices in France, citing recent publication of three part work on Egypt containing 840 prints on vellum paper costing 5400 francs [pencil annotations of other figures]. Had some fine drawings for French edition of Monstrelet but they arrived too late. Decoration of his hall.

Mr Walker has arrived at Oxford, unfortunately the scholarship he enquired after will be occupied for some time but it is noted he has "more discretion than his unfortunate father and [...] his very ingenious but most indiscreet relative already resident". Sorry he missed Smith in London, had a severe illness in the spring which has caused the [Oxford Botanic] Garden to suffer but thanks Smith for the seeds. Received a copy of "Flora Graeca" for the Radcliffe library; the Bodleian Library have declined to purchase a copy in part due to expense, recent heavy expenditure on manuscripts, and conviction that [John] Sibthorp's executors will gift a copy anyway. Actions of the executors of Sibthorp's will respecting money. Does not believe the Bodleian will make any more natural history acquisitions.

[Jonas] Dryander dead following an operation on a chronic abscess of the rectum and unrelated peritonitis. To be buried in St Ann's, Soho, London. Excited about printing of Linnaeus' "Lachesis Lapponica".

Sends copy of [Lewis David de] Schweinitz and [Johann Baptist von] Albertini's "Fungi Niskienses". Explains the genesis of the work; well received in Europe and by Persoon.

He was not mistaken in his ideas respecting the horn of the rhinoceros, having observed the living specimen at Exeter Change, which is larger than Mr B's specimen but has a much shorter horn; concludes that the horn on Mr B's is from another species. Sending specimen of 'Acontium napellus' found near Cheltenham, [Gloucestershire], has also found it near Carlisle, [Cumberland]. considers it a British species.

Will explain his reasons for opposing Mr Bullock when he next sees Smith.

["Spec 15" written in pencil top of verso of first folio]

About to set out for London, hopes to be there for Royal Society anniversary meeting. The King [George III (1738-1820)] is ill and everyone in suspense over the consequences of the illness, hopes they will wait in patience for his recovery, which seems promising. Was heavily involved in the first edition of "Hortus Kewensis" and thinks it highly useful. [Jonas] Dryander's death a "dreadful loss", praises his skills as a librarian, work on catalogue of [Sir Joseph] Banks' library, and his character.

[William] Bullock [(c 1773-1849), naturalist and antiquary] elected to Linnean Society by majority of 21 votes, in spite of [William Elford] Leach's efforts to blackball him, for which he was reprimanded by the Chair; Smith mistaken in involvement of [Edward] Donovan [(1768-1837), zoologist], who tried to persuade Leach against such a course.

Laments death of [Jonas] Dryander; [Robert] Brown has succeeded him at Soho Square [as Sir Joseph Banks' librarian]; asks for Smith's suggestions for filling the vice-president position. Asks if it is essential for [William Jackson] Hooker's 'Andraea' paper to appear in present volume of "Linnean Transactions".