Thanks for election as FMLS, praises Smith's "Introductory Discourse" although expected to see a mention of General Compte [Luigi Ferdinando] de Marsigli [(1658-1730)], founder of the Academy of Bologna. Has commissioned his friend Scassi to acquire all the new medical publications whilst he is London. [L'Abbé Gregoire] Fontana is translating Smith's "Discourse" into Italian.

Apologises for delay in sending lichens and can only send thirty for Davall's collection. Parcel of newspapers from [William] Este still waiting for Davall, the paper is now at an end and he is fled abroad for debt.

Asks Davall's opinion of "English Botany", which he now claims as his own and its aim "to make botany pleasing & popular, so [Davall] must pardon trifling". Took more pains with "Flora Lapponica", especially the synonyms as he means to correct citation, so it requires more serious criticism. Sends [James] Dickson's third and fourth dried plant fascicules which completes the work, relieved to be free from its drudgery. Sends pamphlets on the slave trade, "a matter much talked of now". [Adam] Afzelius and François [Borone] have sailed [for Sierra Leone]. Sends capsule of 'Mesembryanthemum' from Cape of Good Hope, gives care instructions; a German professor has figured it as a flower under new genus 'Redeviva'. Arranging his shells. [William] Aiton [(1731-1793)] delighted with seed of 'Arenaria grandiflora'. Davall owes [James] Sowerby and Dickson money.

De Luc had wished to to inspect the gardens at Frogmore, [Berkshire], with Smith, but was unaware of Smith's severe indisposition. Asks if strawberry and french bean seeds will imbibe any paint fumes from her still drying hothouse.

Confident in Smith and [Jonas] Dryander's judgement respecting his paper ['Observations on the British Species of] 'Carex'''. Preparations necessary prior to the paper being read: asks Smith what he meant about the placing of the synonyma, will have drawn whatever needs engraving, asks how to credit Smith observing the capsules of '[Carex] dioica' and '[Carex] capitata', stating that his distinction between the two came from his own observations. Has omitted mentioning the serrulation of the capsules in many of the species.

Sends second number of "Icones pictae" and "Spicilegium botanicum"; Woodward's account. Tasted "the horrors of the damned" after "Icones pictae" was advertised in last number of "English botany" before it was ready and being repeatedly harassed by his friends for it. Sends missing sheet of "Flora Lapponica"; sent it as sheets supposing Woodward's bookbinders less corrupt than his. Delay in admitting Woodward's two nominations to Linnean Society.

The Reviews "very civil" towards "Linnean Transactions" vol 1, especially his "Introductory discourse", which has met with many compliments, including from Scarpa of Pavia who informs him of its translation into Italian by Father Fontana, professor of mathematics at Pavia University, and brother to Abbè Fontana; his own opinion of his discourse. Confirms that [Robert] Batty's [(1763-1849), apothecary] shop was destroyed by collapse of the Pantheon following a fire, his shop was under the stage. François [Borone] and [Adam] Afzelius had embarked [for Sierra Leone] but their ship had an accident at Deal, [Kent], and is being refitted. Can accommodate Woodward for anniversary meeting, though his brother, John, may also be in London.

Received Smith's parcel; very pleased with second faciculus [of "Icones pictae"], particularly figures of 'Justicia', 'Tradescantia', 'Oxalis', 'Sisyrinchium', 'Hydrangea', and 'Ligusticum', the "most desirable of the whole", though it will be criticised for not being an "exotic plant" and for lacking any "picturesque charms"; praises Latin and English descriptions and points out errors.

Suspects one of the reviewers of "Linnean Transactions" was Professor [Thomas] Martyn. Further praise of Smith's "Introductory discourse", including from Mr Zouch, who was convinced to become a FLS after hearing it; discusses Smith's writing style. Discusses other reviews of the volume, including one which hopes never to see "new plants introduced, without scientific specific differences annexed"; a "very good" caution to them. An addition for his 'Lycoperdon' paper. Prevented from attending Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Wishes François [Borone] was looking for 'Fucus' specimens during his voyage and on coast of Africa [botanical expedition to Sierra Leone with Adam Afzelius]. Gives various hints and recommendations on gaining advantage from working with the Queen [Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818)] so she does not presume that the honour alone is sufficient payment. Recently acquired Hoffman's ["Historia Salicum iconibus illustrata"]; looks a good work, as does his "Plantae lichenosae".

Intends to attend Smith's botanical lectures in London. Hopes Smith visit to Windsor was pleasant.

Introduces himself; thanks for being made ALS through "polite interference" of [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Praises Smith's works; his "Icones pictae" and "Spicilegium [botanicum]" are the "most superb botanic publications" he ever saw, and is anxious to receive all of Smith's works as they are published; asks if a new number of "Linnaeus' herbarium" has been published yet ["Icones plantarum"].

Forced to give up his attempt to publish a "Flora Dublinensis" for want of encouragement, but asks Smith's opinion of the sample he sent Messrs White [publishers]; Sir Joseph Banks thought it had "no particular merit", though he knows no other good extant figure of 'Hyoscyamus niger'. Now attempting to publish a "Flora Hibernica" without figures. Asks after possibility of Ireland receiving a copy of Banks' edition of Kaempfer's "Icones selectae". Praises Smith's "Introductory Discourse" in "Linnean Transactions".

Sends his 'Hirudo' paper for publication in "Linnean Transactions". His 'Hirudo nigra' same as the 'Hirudo complanata' in [George] Shaw's 'Hirudo viridis' paper, believes this 'H. complanata' is not the same as Linnaeus' and asks Smith to show Shaw the paper for his judgement. States that his three species are "not good 'Hirudines', if we [...] stick to the Linnaean definitions".

[Nicholas] Gwyn informed him of Smith's introduction to the King and Queen [George III (1738-1820) and Charlotte (1744-1818)], hopes it proves useful. Is collecting insects not described by Linnaeus to send to Smith. Asks if [James] Sowerby's drawing of the leeches included 'Hirudo nigra'. Requests copies of Smith's "Spicilegium" for himself, and a copy of this and Sir William Jones' "Tract on the legal method of suppressing riots" for Gwyn.

Species of 'Cistus' and other plants observed.

Account for books, etc.

Thanks Smith for the introduction to botany. Trying to collect all of Smith's works. Asks whether there will be new editions of the Principal Works of Linnaeus, especially the "Systema Vegetabilium". Comments on the uncertain publication of [William] Curtis' lectures, which would have been useful for students, and the deficiencies of [James] Lee's "Introduction to Botany" [(1715-1795) nurseryman]. Seeks London edition of Smith's translation of Linnaeus's dissertation on the sexes of plants. Complains that Smith's "last number" [probably "English Botany"] should have been described how 'Ligusticum' differs from the many plants to which it bears a general resemblance.

Confirms he will not be attending Linnean Society anniversary meeting. [Robert] Stone [(c 1751-1829), botanist] severely ill with gout in his stomach but now recovered; he had thought of quitting the Linnean Society but now does not. Recommends [David Elisha] Davy of Yoxford, [Suffolk], who is to visit London, "a very diligent young botanist" who intends to join the Linnean Society once he knows more of the science.

Sends specimens of 'Hirudo nigra', observes their different colour from some collected a few months ago. Anxious that his relative lack of knowledge could compromise his paper. Also sends a species of 'Cicada' that swims on its back, like 'Notonecta', would like to write his next paper for "Linnean Transactions" on it if [Thomas] Marsham has not already seen it before receiving it from Kirby.

Requests specimens of "Mimosa".

Sends book for Dr Forster. Thanks for his father's advice about Frogmore and will not make use of the invitation [to teach the Queen and Princesses botany]. Sends receipts for his father's, Francis', and John's Sierra Leone shares. His father's ticket won £20. His brother Richard applied to [Robert] Batty [(1763-1849), apothecary] for 3 guineas whilst he was out, has since given instruction not to lend him any money. Account of his lectures: 17 pupils, of which 15 pay, but no ladies; hopeful of their "gaining ground". [Jonas] Dryander thinks it a good thing the King of Sweden has died. Lady [Amelia] Hume warns that the French refugees about Richmond, [Surrey], risk losing compassion of the public by their "rejoicing at Tippoo Saib's escape or victory" [Tipu Sultan (1750-1799), King of Mysore 1782-1799, in conflict with British forces at this time]. Sends "English botany" and pamphlet on French agriculture in their present "dreadful state".

Sends Italian translation of Smith's "Linnean Transactions" paper 'Introductory Discourse on the Rise and Progress of Natural History' via [Eusebio] Valli [(1755-1816) physician]. Introduces Valli and relates his work on [Luigi] Galvani's [(1737-1798) physician and physicist] discoveries in animal electricity.

Thanks for "Flora Lapponica" and [Olof] Swartz' "Prodromus", has since acquired his "Observations". Fears everything in France will stop except bloodshed [France went to war with Austria in April 1792], wishes L'Héritier was in England. Wants to delay purchasing [Antonio] Cavanilles' "Monadelphiae" for its 'Gerania' content as L'Héritier is also publishing on same. Encloses specimen of 'Anemone nemorosa', following erroneous identification as 'Polypodium trifoliatum' by Mr Burrel in last "Gentleman's Magazine", has observed that the "appearances" on the underleaf are not insect eggs but fungi of 'Peziza' genus, asks Smith to examine and propose names.

Specimen of 'Anemone nemorosa'.

Thanks for Smith's assistance with 'Hirudines' paper, including [George] Shaw's observations, queries Shaw's suggestion that his [Kirby's] 'Hirudo crenata' is the juvenile 'Hirudo geometra' of Linnaeus. Planning to compare his living species with Gmelin's descriptions. His work limited by lack of natural history books.

Davall's letter forms the first eight pages. Apologises for not sending Smith anything with Mandrot. His poor health: the least exertion affects his eyes and stomach, and suffered violent inflammatory fever with a sore throat that spread to his gums and was in danger of going to his chest, prolonged by a late bleeding, until his urine became very thick and an abcess formed. Has been bled three times in eighteen hours and five times since January, losing 3 1/2 lb of blood and now drinking whey to thin his blood. His wife gave birth to premature son but he died after eleven days.

Has dried specimen of wild 'Ranunculus thora' from his garden for Smith. His garden: 'Cerastium latifolium' grown from roots gathered himself in Alps in full flower, 'Moehringia', 'Crataegus chamaemespilus', 'Turritis coerulea', 'Arenaria grandiflora', 'Androsace villosa' or 'Androsace obtusifolia', 'Aretia alpina' not yet flowered, 'Saxifraga hirculus'.

Continues letter on 21 May: managed to make up a parcel of plants to send with Mandrot, including [Horace Bénédict] de Saussure's [(1740-1799)] lichens.

Fifth folio is titled "Villars" and is a transcription, in French, of extract of letter from [Dominique] Villars 20 December 1791, following communication of Smith's discovery concerning 'Festuca spadicea'. Davall displeased at [Martin] Vahl's [(1749-1804)] impertinence [he claimed a discovery of Smith's as his own]; does not have a good opinion of men in general and passes for a misanthrope in Orbe because he prefers spending his time with plants. Consoles Smith with the fact that even if he is exposed to the impertinence of "some Empiricks as La Marck etc" at least he will "ever have the applause of good orthodox botanists & men of sense". Transcribes extract from preface of second volume of [Johann Christian Daniel von] Schreber's [(1739-1810)] edition of "Genera Plantarum" quoting Smith. Sends seed of 'Carduus crispus'.

Ninth and tenth folios are transcription, in French, of extract of letter from de Saussure 14 February 1792 accompanying lichens, which he [Davall] sends on to Smith, includes eight notes to recognise those de Saussure has.