Thanks for Smith's letter of 28 [January 1793], apologises for being a "troublesome correspondent". Desires Smith to compare [Sir Joseph] Bank's copy of Hedwig's ["Descriptio et adumbratio microscopico-analytica muscorum" (1787-1797)] with the one Haslock has for sale, and if satisfactory to purchase it for him. Directions for sending this and plates of L'Héritier's "Sertum Anglicum". His account with Smith. Pleased to hear that L'Héritier is to now focus exclusively on botany. He has given up on the French since they stepped over their own borders, even though they were provoked to it.

Asks Smith to show Dr [Thomas] Rackett the Linnaean shells.

Sends remainder of Bulliard's ["Histoire des champignons"] and text, finally sent by L'Héritier; Woodward's account. Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)] enquires after Bungay tradesmen's tokens or halfpence, for her collection. None of his works ready for two months; busy on his "Tour". Sales of "English botany" have increased since the enlargement. Did not review [William] Withering's book, and confirms he has only ever reviewed three: Berkenhout's "new edition" [of "Clavis Anglica linguae botanicae" (1789)], Curtis' "Magazine", and a pamphlet on silk worms, all in "Analytical Review"; does not intend to write any others.

Can easily see how Princess Elizabeth's [(1770-1840), daughter of George III] "winning condescension [and] looks so full of soul" could be mistaken by "a fool or a coxcomb" as a passion for himself; admits he is flattered by the attention she pays to his lessons. Lady [Amelia] Hume found the "City & Country Mouse" in Swift's works. His paper on ferns is for the Turin Academy as thanks for making him one of their 20 foreign members, in place of Franklin and in company of Priestly and Herschell. His picture is being drawn for the Exhibition, for Sir Abraham Hume, he is to have a frond of 'Woodwardia radicans' in his hand.

Sends his Matlock, [Derbyshire], lichens, and 'Convallaria verticillata', from Scotland. Amused by reports of his sister being offered Miss [Fanny] Burney's [(1752-1840), novelist and Second Keeper of the Robes to the Queen] place [in attendance on the Queen], which are without foundation; "you have no idea what tittle tattle is at Windsor".

Thanks for Bulliard's plates ["Histoire des champignons"]; comments on contents, including 'Clathus cancellatus' and 'Lycoperdon stellatum', which resembles his 'L. recolligens'. His fears that the "present horrible state of France would have put all literature out of the question" have not been realised. Wishes to know L'Héritier's role as a politician, believes he initially took an active part. Shocked by "murder of poor Louis" [Louis XVI (1774-1792), King of France], though it is a mercy for him considering his "uncertain situation". Sees no point in going to war and believes the country is averse to it, regardless of what ministers say.

Unable to provide Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)] with Bungay tradesmen's halfpence as they were not produced on account of high cost. Thanks for lichen and 'Convallaria verticillata' specimens; has Smith's specimen of 'Pyrola uniflora' from Mount Cenis. Hopes to see Miss Lane's drawing of Smith at the exhibition in town; admires her drawing of Smith's eldest sister. Discusses further issues of Bulliard's plates, longs to see L'Héritier's "Geranium".

Requests Smith to add note to his account of 'Lycoperdon recolligens' [from paper on 'Lycoperdon'] to take in information from Bulliard. Does not expect to be at expense for the "Zoology & Botany of New Holland".

[Letter incomplete: lower half of second folio cropped, text immediately following interruption suggests this was the note on 'Lycoperdon recolligens']

Plant queries for second edition of "Florae Scandinaviae prodromus", including: 'Carex uliginosa' identified as 'Schoenus compressus' or 'Scirpus caricis'. Offers to send specimen of [Jakob] Ehrhart's grass figured in Smith's "Icones pictae". Disappointed by natural history content of [James] Bruce's [of Kinnaird (1730-1794), traveller in Africa] "Travels"; errors with discussion of cereals. Requests copy of "Linnean Transactions" vol 1.

Enquires after his old college acquaintances Smith, Dr Lubbock and Dr Saunders.

No summary available.

Sending parcels of dried plants, fruits, seeds, roots, shells and remains of snakes and birds. The snakes and birds, if they survive, and some of the bulbs, plants and seeds to be passed to Professor [Carl Peter] Thunberg and a separate parcel to Dr [Olof] Swartz. By the same vessel has also sent plants, fruits and seeds to Sir Joseph Banks, [John] Sims and Mr Forster.

No summary available.

No summary available.

Continues his numbered comments on plants in Davall's packet of July 1791: 'Salix incubacea', 'Dianthus carthusianorum', 'Dianthus virgineus' [Nikolaus von] Jacquin "Florae Austriacae" vol 5 t 15 also 'Dianthus rupestris', 'Arenaria dianthoides', 'Dianthus diminutus', 'Arabis bellidifolia', 'Arabis hispidia' "Hortus Kewensis", error in 'Arabis hispida' "Systema Vegetabilum" ed 14, 'Turritis hirsuta', 'Turritis alpina', 'Cheiranthus erysimoides', 'Cheiranthus fruticulosus', 'Rannunculus gramineus', 'Arenaria pubescens', 'Cynoglossum'. Transcribes extract from his fern paper on genus 'Davallia', observations and species. Puzzled by 'Thlaspi', fears he told Davall wrong about his C in parcel of 1791, and that it is 'perfoliatum'; intends to tackle this genus after 'Arenaria'.

His "Sketch of a Tour on the Continent" taking much of his time. Responds to Davall's letter of 11 January 1793: agrees with Davall on the French character; has communications with the Queen on plants; thinks he will soon be able to live by his own means; thanks Davall for recommending him to the Duchess of Devonshire [Georgiana Cavendish (1757-1806)].

Thinks Lady Rockingham is "too much a slave to her servants" and does not like her gardener, Greg. Will send plants for Davall from Botany Bay by Mr Mandrot. Not yet started on [Horace Bénédict] de Saussure's [(1740-1799)] lichens. Received encouraging letter from [Adam] Afzelius and François [Borone] in Sierra Leone; account of violence reported in Berne Gazette was probably occassioned by disturbance at Bulam. Glad to give 'Linum tenuifolium' to English botanists as they considered it an English plant. Aims to write six printing pages of his "Tour" every day. Hopes to get Davall a Dillenius ["Historia muscorum" (1741)] for about £10.