Thanks Smith for gift, glad the print she sent via [Samuel] Goodenough was acceptable.
She has a plant flowering that [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert thinks is the first 'Satyrium plantageum' to flower in England as it is not in "Hortus Kewensis"; offers to send it along with 'Pharos latifolia.
Alphabetical confirmation and observations on specimens sent by Davall [on 12 November 1790], plants include: 'Allium angulosum', 'Phalaris phleoides', variety of 'Lotus corniculata', 'Selinum palustre', 'Agrostis calamagrostis', 'Arundo epigejos', 'Ribes petraeum', 'Coronulla minima', '[Gnaphalium] orientale', 'Hieracium molle', 'Rosa collina', 'Rosa arvensis', 'Androsaces villosa', 'Androsace lactea', 'Anemone alpina', 'Scirpus caespitosus', and 'Schoneus ferrugineus'.
Numbered observations on specimens sent by Davall in parcel of 27 February 1790, now complete. Will send 'Arundo epigejo' another time. Mislaid 'Saxifraga sedoides' so cannot give opinion.
The specimen of 'Tradescantia' from [Nicholas] Gwyn came from his hothouse, has a specimen for [William] Aiton [(1731-1793), director Kew Gardens 1759-1793]. Requests books: L'Héritier's "Sertum Anglicum", and Salisbury's "Flora Lapp.". Enjoyed second number of [James] Sowerby's ["English botany"]; recommends addition to the plates of the parts of fructification, avoiding repetition of the plants in "Flora Londinensis". Received seeds of 'Galeopsis villosa' last year, and seed of 'Scorzonera tingitana' from Mrs Hasell.
Believes the specimens of [William] Hudson's 'Mentha villosa' he received from [Samuel] Goodenough are 'Mentha sylvestris', confirmed by Linnaeus and Ray in "Historiae plantarum"; further observations on it. Received 'Mentha sativa' from Bath from Goodenough, who believes Pitchford's garden 'M. satvia' is 'M. gentilis'. Confusion over figures of 'M. sylvestris' and other 'Mentha' species in "the old authors" Hudson, [John] Gerard [(1545-1612)], [John] Ray, and [John] Parkinson [(1567-1650)]. Has thirteen customers for [James] Sowerby's work [presumably "English Botany"], and one for [James] Dickson's "Plan[tarum] Crypt[ogamicarum]". Dickson sent him '[Acrostichum] ilvense', thinks it different from the Swedish specimen. Will consult [William] Sole on 'Mentha'. Received 'Sium repens' from Dr Randolph of Oxford, found by [John] Sibthorp, new to England, asks if it is also a new Linnaean one.
Bust of Linnaeus erected in Jardin des Plantes. Paris Linnean Society reformed as the Société d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris, Smith made an Associate.
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.
Wishes he could be in London to attend auction of Paitoni's books. Pleased to hear Smith is contemplating a "Flora Anglica" and new edition of "Flora Lapponica", suggests including all the new plants discovered since publication of "Species plantarum". Astonished by the number of botanical books being published; feels so far left behind that he must give it up. Requests books by L'Héritier; asks Smith's opinion of Krocker's "Flora Siberiaca".
Requests Smith's vote for William Frazer's candidacy at the Royal Society. Asks Smith to bid on his behalf for lot 8585 at Paitoni's election, work by Ehrhet.
This letter is comprised of five double folios, each individually addressed.
Recently learnt that the parcel of plants he sent on 12 November was almost lost on the Goodwin Sands. Ashamed at his lethargy in completing his book. Observations on plants he has sent Smith in previous packets: no 30 in parcel of [22 May] 1789 by Mandrot 'Arenaria verna', no 6 in [31 May] 1790 parcel by Mandrot is 'Potentilla opaca'. Stubborness of Villars, his 'Arenaria triflora' is Smith's 'Arenaria pubescens', confusion over 'Potentilla'. Wishes Linnean Society had a small botanic garden for study of obscure European plants. Extensive numbered comments on parcel of plants sent via Mr Gooch 27 February 1790 [12 folios].
Observations on 'Crepis virens', 'Anemone', 'Saxifraga burseriana', 'Carduus acanthoides', 'Carduus inclinans'. Finds it difficult to remain indoors and focus on his book. Received "Icones pictae", it surpasses Jacquin's work especially figures of 'Euphorbia punicea'. Praises "English Botany". Asks Smith's advice for dealing with dispute between Wyttenbach and Haller on one side and himself and Lechenal on the other, percipitated by his becoming involved in the Swiss flora with his own book, they have reportedly left off thiers after Lechanel's refusal to be involved; details of events and occurences, if not for Smith they would disgust him from botany. Asks Smith's advice: his Latin is insufficient for completing his book and Wyttenbach has offered to look it over, must either trust to him or give it up. His health has been poor, stems from stomach which is weak and led him to becoming costive, prescribed infusion of rhubarb in cold water and a mixture chiefly containing Minderuus' spirit. Believes he gathered 'Lichen testaceus' for Smith. If he should die his books and plants should be admitted to Smith's use, as his botanical work is done solely for his benefit. Offers his work to Smith to be published as Linnaeus published work of his disciples.
Translation of his comments on Scopoli, which the reviewer "quotes with approbation"; details the silence Scopoli was compelled to keep after false accusations were made against him.
[Letter incomplete: this is a cropped extract, missing text presumed destroyed]
Returns Smith's 'Mentha gentilis', believes it the plant of Linnaeus and wild although [Edmund] Davall not as as specific as he would wish, makes his own observations including reference to [John] Ray's "Hist[oriae plantarum]", only needs to see [Philip] Miller's 'M. gentilis' and 'M. sativa' specimens to complete his work. Observations on the 'M. corolla', believes it will help distinguish most species. Observations on Smith's notes of the different specimens: 'M. arvensis', 'M. sativa', 'M. sylvestris', 'M. rotundifolia', 'Menthiastic aquatici'; hopes [Samuel] Goodenough has conceded that his 'Mentha villosa' is 'M. sylvestris'; further observations on these in postscript. Explains errors is Fuschius' figures. Thanks Smith for specimen of 'Schoenus ferrugineus'. Miller's 'Mentha gentilis'.
Returns and apologises for keeping Smith's copy of [Hans] Sloane's "[Voyage to] Jamaica" for so long and sends specimen of "provoking grass" for identification; it was grown from Jamaican seeds last year and is now almost taller than her pine hothouse. Her great 'Portlandia' is flowering again and has been doing so ten months out of twelve. Mrs [Elizabeth] Weddell admires Smith's ["Icones pictae plantarum rariorum..."]; requests the smaller sized one. Affected very much by the "variable uncommon weather". Her 'Moraea northiana' about to flower.
Progress of his work; vindicates Linnaeus.
Responds to Davall's five letters [of 11 February 1791] and remarks further on plants sent by Davall on which their opinions differ. Thinks that Davall should either confide the Latin of his book to [Jacob] Wyttenbach, send his manuscript to [Samuel] Goodenough or himself, or communicate his findings in English to Linnean Society for second volume of "Linnean Transactions", so long as it appears in some form or other. Does not know 'Psora testacca' but Davall should keep it for his own work, as he would rather quote it from that to save himself trouble.
Thanks for Linnean Society diploma. Has a professorship and is Court Physician to the Duke, has little time for natural history. Flora of Courland does not exceed 700 plants of which there are few rare ones although the fauna is more interesting, especially migratory birds nesting in the forests and swamps. Description of the country, including geology and agriculture. Requests seeds of unspecified trees, shrubs and plants and any useful German publications that Smith would know from Sir Joseph Banks extensive channel of works and periodical papers.
Sends £20 for [James] Sowerby to pay for plates, "Florists Delight", and "English Botany". Discusses 'Lachenalia mediana', 'Lachenalia pallida' and 'Hyacinthus orchidioides' with reference to [Nikolaus von] Jacquin's "Icones plantarum rariorum" and [William Aiton's] "Hortus Kewensis". Received visit from [Joseph von] Jacquin who criticised [Albrecht von] Haller [(1758-1823)] and [Jacob] Wyttenbach's "premature" proposal [for new edition of elder Haller's "Icones plantarum Helvetiae"] and thinks this may be why they gave it up. Jacquin also provided introduction to [Carlo] Allioni and had not heard of Smith's intended "Systema Vegetabilium", thinks Jacquin "a good young man" but the botanical chair of Vienna "thirsts for preeminence". Will endeavour to repair relations with [William] Aiton [(1731-1793)]. Has moved earth for 3-4,000 pots, fears his health will be ruined before garden comes to fruition. Intends to send 'Carex tomentosa' grown from root, and intends to grow 'Schoenus ferrugineus'.
Sending plants for determination, to be returned, except the specimen of 'Zanonia', called at Kew 'Comelina zanonia'; observations. 'Tropaeolum peregrinum' not yet in flower, will send when perfect. Also sending cryptogamia and a 'Fucus' collected in Pembrokeshire last year. Requests that any new species in the specimens be sent to [Sir Joseph] Banks. Asks if Smith has vol 2 of Schreber's "Genera plantarum".
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.
Sending small parcel of works to Smith by same captain who delivered Linnaean collectionns; difficulties of sending items from here. Apolgises for sending [Carl] Thunberg's dissertations bound, thus incurring heavy duties; rarity of this work, unable to get copy for Dr [Smithson] Tennant [(1761-1815), chemist].
Has collected plants in Syria; about to publish results; asks Smith's co-operation in selling the book.