Asks which Sierra Leone seeds and plants are most worth sending for, having a contact offering to acquire any.
Hopes Smith received parcel sent on 13 October via Mr Sympson containing two letters for Smith and three parcels of seed including 'Minuartia campestris', 'Androsace lactea', and 'Lavatera punctata'.
Transcribes, in French, conversation with and letter from [Jacob] Wyttenbach about a Berne fireworks display which cost more than Haller's collections which the Berne authorities had refused to buy; laments that Haller's herbarium is not available for consultation in Berne. Unable to forward Smith's parcel to [Jacques] Dorthes in Montpellier as communications between there and Geneva have ceased.
Lists reasons for delays with his book: ill-health, lack of space, greater temptation of the "delightful verdure of the country", bad winter light, expanding his herbarium, caring for his garden, his wife's ill health , death of their first child, and family matters. As foreseen by Smith he was too communicative about his plans and Haller's son has taken advantage: after sending him specimens and observations received a manuscript titled "Tentamen additament" or "ad Hist. Stirp. Helv." to be printed in a German magazine in Berne containing articles Haller had no idea of before their "imprudent communications". Infant son in good health.
"Men of science never need apologize for the revival of trouble respecting information, nor do any delay it unless the little fat curator of the British Museum". Questions on North American plants: asks which plants generally cover ridges and rocks as there is no 'Erica', 'Ulex', or ['Spartium']; where the "the universal mosses" are; and what the "palmatters" and palm of [William] Bartram's "Travels" on pages 69 and 113 are. Marriage of David [Pennant] and Smith's "fair countrywoman" this week, anxious to meet her.
Thanks for parcel and "Icones [pictae]"; spirit of the work "seems well kept up". Discusses Linnaeus' classification of 'Fucus foeniculaceus' and 'F. abrotanifolius' in his publications; his and [Samuel] Goodenough's paper on the subject; requests to see the Linnaean specimens. Received message and packet of grass seeds from [Edmund] Davall via Mr Forster, brother of the master of Norwich school. Requests a Sierra Leone penny for Mrs Woodward's collection. Requests Smith's to bring his "Tour" and "Linnean Transactions" vol 2.
List of queries for Smith to resolve if he cannot bring the Linnaean 'Fucus' specimens [annotated "sic in HL" by Smith].
No summary available.
Asks after the parcel of Smith's works, which has still not arrived, as the friend he ordered them for is constantly asking after them. Still awaiting a letter from Sir Joseph Banks. Books sent and wanted.
[Smith has briefly noted his reply] details of manner in which he sent the parcel; hopes to soon send "Linnean Transactions" vol 2; [Sir Joseph Banks] will write soon; has asked a friend to notice Sandifort's work ["Museum anatomicum"] in the "Monthly Review", which he never writes in himself, to avoid quarrels.
Thanks for specimens; Cryptogams; list of species of 'Bryum' and 'Hypnum'.
No summary available.
No summary available.
Sorry Smith will not be visiting during his stay in Norfolk, but consoled by promise of summer visit. Laments death of Smith's brother, Richard, "a strong proof, how little great abilities & splendid genius avail, when not under the guidance of judgement, & how dangerous it is for a young man to give away to habits of indolence & inactivity". Admires Smith's "Tour", especially the preface, and thinks they must be "highly entertaining to a general reader", and of special interest to naturalists; problems with the copy; intends to order it in for his book club. Asks after separation of the "Natural History of New Holland" into botany and zoology volumes.
Received letter from [Samuel] Goodenough, who is in "great distress" over a fever at his school which has killed Mr Egereton, only son of Lord [Thomas] Grey de Wilton [1st Earl of Wilton (1749-1814)]; Smith had previously pronounced the boy "short lived". Sends sample of his and Goodenough's paper on 'Fucus'; their plan and comments. Notes on 'Ulva diaphara' of [William] Hudson's he has found.
[In Smith's hand at top of verso of first folio] Notes on 'Fucus capreolatus' Banks Herbarium being 'F. pinnatus' of Hudson.