Introduces himself; his acquaintance with Smith's brother, J F Smith of Wakefield. Lists habitats of rarer plants not yet figured in "English botany", found in Yorkshire: 'Saxifraga umbrosa'; 'Saxifraga granulata'; 'Carduus helenioides'; 'Cistus heleanthemum'; 'Sedum telephium'; 'Rhodiola rosea'; 'Saxifraga oppositifolia'; 'Butomus umbellatus'; 'Veronica sentellata'; 'Spergula nodosa'; 'Blechnum spicant'; 'Plantago coronopus'; 'Hippuris vulgaris'; 'Malva moschata'; 'Hypericum humifusum', 'Antirrhinum spurium' and 'Antirrhinum elatine'. Will send specimens of 'Saxifraga umbrosa' when next in Yorkshire and any other rare plants he encounters.

As he only started studying botany two years ago asks how to ascertain the legitimacy of location of plants, referring to article in "Gentleman's Magazine" of October 1796 which he finds insufficient. Just found 'Vinca minor' and 'Helleborus foetidus'.

No summary available.

Thanks for Smith's reply. Would like to make Smith's acquaintance in London when he next comes for his annual visit, although she is compelled to leave the country in May. Took note of Smith's hint of introducing botany into a novel although believes modern tastes in fiction for "gigantic and impossible horrors" will not make it appear vapid enough to the "admirers of spectre novels and cavern adventures", nonetheless has included a little in her latest [presumably "The Young Philosopher" (1798)].

Relieved to receive Henriette Davall's account of his health. Thinks Davall's disorder is debility and prescribes Peruvian bark taken in peppermint tea, does not see the benefit of a milk diet and recommends plain light meats, warns against too debilitating a plan in case it causes apoplexy, fits, and fainting, not to load stomach with physic or food, take light plain broth or a little solid meat and keep bowels gently open. For uneasiness in head recommends bathing legs and feet in warm water before bed. Suspects he has taken too much physic and has too "Sangrado-like" a doctor [sangrado, Spanish for bleeding].

Lists his plans and destinations for year. Continuing work on "Flora Britannica" though currently cannot do more than five plants a day, just through 'tetrandria', grasses very troublesome. Sorry Davall has not received "English Botany" 42 to 66 he sent with letter of 2 November 1796 listing his reasons for moving to Norwich - domestic comfort, cheapness, command of time, and good air, his health much better. Offers to send "English Botany" and [James] Sowerby's "Fungi".

Staying with [Edmund] Davall in Orbe, gives a detailed account of Davall's current condition and its history. Believes Davall's condition to be more epilepsy than paralysis and to have had its immediate cause in overwork and overeating from the delusion that he was threatened with a consumption. Detailed description of Davall's fits, has been prescribed powder of valerian root with a little musk to be taken 3 or 4 times a day, has also been treated with "calomil bark" and "flores zinci". Davall experienced much uneasiness having only heard rumours circulated by the French as to the condition of England, has been relieved to hear of the efforts of English resistance. Believes Davall will recover. Comments on the beauty of the area around Orbe. Hopes to send a work by Linnaeus he found in Bern, Switzerland.

Awaits receipt of Linnean Society diploma. Sends description of new fungi for possible inclusion in "Linnean Transactions". Asks for engravings of the drawings of fungi he previously sent including: 'Peziza onotica', 'Boletus cinereus', 'Boletus rubiginosus', 'Stemonitis leucostyla', 'Sphaeria ochracea', and 'Lycogala conica', [Smith has marked each with a cross], and for prints of the treatise as he is publishing his "Synopsis fungorum". Expecting packet of dried plants, requests 'Filices' and 'Lycoperdon phalloides'. Sends regards to Bracy Clark and [James] Dickson.

Smith has summarised his reply on verso of second folio: returns five of the drawings to be named; his paper shall be printed in fifth "Linnean Transactions" volume; intends to name a 'Persoonia', was beaten by [Martin] Vahl to name a 'Schraderia'; will send dried plants; requests 'Coliforme'.