Repeats list of references needed for his 'Lycoperdon' paper [Smith has annotated in pencil his responses and remarks].

Requests copies of Smith's "Icones pictae" and "Spicilegium botanicum". Encloses letters from Sir John Rous' [1st Earl of Stradbroke (1750-1827), politician] gardener and a friend at Yoxford, [Suffolk], on 'Cyclamen europaeum' in its apparent wild state.

Sends his paper on 'Lycoperdon' [see RelatedMaterial below]; comments on its composition and contents; all the figures but one copied by [Robert] Stone [(c 1751-1829), botanist] from Schaeffer and Bryant, requests if printed this one is redone by Smith's sister; sends specimens. Thanks for [John] Pitchford's Swiss 'Schoenus ferrugineus'.

Requests English and Latin copies of "Icones pictae", plus "Spicilegium botanicum". Has seen [Richard] Salisbury's publication ["Icones stirpium rariorum.."]; prefers Smith's "Icones", in spite of its "magnificence"; "English botany" well received but thinks the figure of 'Orchis conopsea' badly figured, warns [James] Sowerby to maintain the quality from first number as [William] Curtis is "much complained of for that". Sends 'Tilloa muscosa' for [James] Dickson and will send 'Carex strigosa'.

Encloses just found specimen of 'Lycoperdon fornicatum' specimen, which proves it is a new species.

Pleased his paper on 'Lycoperdon' met with Smith's approval; sent specimens as he is convinced his remarks will stand the test of comparison; asks Smith to correct any errors. Requests copy of "Spicilegium botanicum" for [Robert] Stone [(c 1751-1829), botanist] glad "Icones pictae" has sold so well; eager to see "Linnean Transactions"; last number of "English botany" "excellent", especially the 'Trientalis'.

Has not yet seen Sir Brooke Boothby's [7th baronet, (1744-1824), poet and writer] response to [Edmund] Burke [(1730-1797), politician] but hopes to have it for his book club; Burke's book was a "perfect meteor which blazed for a moment", surprised people could be so led away by a "parcel of high sounding sentences, which when analysed, appeared to have very little meaning". Hopes Smith finds his 'Lycoperdon' specimen from Edinburgh so his note can continue; issues of addressing Smith in his paper. Wishes Smith and [Samuel] Goodenough would settle whether 'Fucus elongatus' Linnaeus is same as 'F. lorens' Hudson. Thought Smith reviewed [John] Berkenhout's [(1726-1791), physician and naturalist] "Manual" in the "Critical [Review]", as the person knew the Linnaean herbarium.

Sending two drawings by [James] Sowerby of 'Lycoperdon coliforme' and an 'Agaric' he is provisionally naming 'A. papillosus', though [Richard] Relhan says he has previously figured it. Details the Bulliard plates he currently owns; wishes L'Héritier's politics would allow him to attend to Smith's correspondence.

Relieved that his intended trip to London has been cancelled. Glad his 'Lycoperdon' paper was well received at the Linnean Society; notes on composition and conditions of publication. Impatient to see "Linnean Transactions" vol 1. Pleased with Smith's "Spicilegium botanicum"; hopes the text will soon follow. Observes that "Spicilegium" and "English botany", by sharing same subject of mistaken or ill-figured scarce English plants, interfere with each other; favours "Spicilegium" but hopes "English botany" will not stop. Hopes that reports of [William] Curtis being almost bankrupt and forced to give up his Brompton garden are untrue.

Appreciates Smith's reasons for not engraving 'Lycoperdon coliforme' but maintains that whilst [James] Dickson's figure is very good [James] Sowerby's is also good enough for a subject; asks Smith to compare figure [of 'Lycoperdon coliforme'] in Batsch. [William] Withering wishes to join the Linnean Society. Convinced review of [John] Berkenhout's [(1726-1791), physician and naturalist] "Manual" in the "Analytical Review" was Smith's. On [Edmund] Burke [(1730-1797), politician]: "what must they be who pin their faith on the reveries of a madman"; rumoured his new book is on the British constitution, doubts it will receive the same enthusiasm as his first book. [Robert] Stone [(c 1751-1829), botanist] was disappointed by his trip to London. Has 50 specimens each of 'Carex strigosa' and 'Cinerania alpina' for [James] Dickson, latter gathered on Gogamog hills near Cambridge [for Dickson's "dried plants"].

Disappointed Woodward is not coming to London, he will only have a short time himself in Norfolk. Printing difficulties of "Linnean Transactions" vol 1. "Flora Lapponica" printing, it will be the "most correct edition" ever of any of Linnaeus' works; describes his work on it. Working on "Spicilegium botanicum" letterpress; "English botany" "sells amazingly" and is unlikely to stop. [William] Curtis said to be in difficulties. Sends third fasciculus of "Icones [pictae]", containing 'Fucus inflatus' and 'Agrostis capillaris'.

Dined with [Edmund] Burke's [(1730-1797), politician] brother yesterday at the [William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd] Duke of Portland's [(1738-1809)]. [James] Dickson's next two fascicules will complete his work ["A collection of dried plants..", see RelatedMatieral below].

Thanks for present of game. For his paper on ferns asks Woodward whether he prefers the genus they agreed, 'Asplenium nodosum', not common in gardens, or 'Trichomanes canariense', which is; if Woodward chooses the 'Asplenium' he will name the other 'Davallia', otherwise will call the 'Asplenium' 'Porocarpus'.

Continuing work on his "Tour of the Continent"; has been "very ample" in his account of [Jean Jacques] Rousseau [(1712-1778), philosopher] and had intended to attempt an apology for him until seeing Capel Lofft's [(1751-1824), radical editor and writer] "most eloquent & sufficient" defence of him against [Edmund] Burke [(1730-1797), politician]. Recently received many specimens from Botany Bay; difficulty of settling natural order of some. Second fasciculus of "Icones pictae" printing and last two fasciculus of Dickson's "dried plants" will complete the work. 'Ligusticum cornubiense' figured in next fasciculus of "Icones pictae". Sorry for recurrence of Woodward's old complaint, urges him to come to London for medical advice.

Smith's busyness; glad their acquaintance commenced before Smith acquired "the greatest treasure England can boast". Lets Smith decide which genus to rename 'Woodwardia', hopes a 'Dicksonia' will accompany that and 'Davallia'. Anticipating Smith's "Flora Lapponica" and "Icones [pictae]", [James] Dickson's "Fasc[iculus plantarum cryptogamicarum Britanniae]", and [Johann] Schreber's [(1739-1810)] "Genera plantarum". Reports greatly exaggerated of his suffering a severe attack of his disorder shortly after Smith left Norfolk; his symptoms. Hopes [William] Withering is elected to Linnean Society; he and Professor [Thomas] Martyn nominate [Revd Thomas] Zouch, minister of the late Mr Tunstall's parish and highly esteemed by him, and [Revd Charles] Favell; Favell found 'Anagallis foemina' in his parish, will send specimens for [James] Sowerby if desired.

Glad Smith enjoyed the game he sent from [Andrew] Fountaine's, though he has given up shooting; will also send a turkey so Smith can wish them many happy Christmases and prosperous New Years, though it is "out of fashion now". [John] Pitchford has corresponded with [William] Sole on mints, from his letters he seems a "very queer genius"; Sole angry with Smith for having spoken "so slightingly" of [John] Hill's [(1716-1775), botanist] "Vegetable System". Eager to see a good figure of 'Ligusticum cornubiense'.