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'.

No summary available.

Hopes Smith received the mycological treatise he sent for Linnean Society two weeks ago. Sends additional sheet describing species he missed in his treatise.

Encloses specimens of 'Cardamine hirsuta' and 'Cardamine flexuosa' that [William] Withering believes are distinct species. Long list of habitats of "uncommon" plants he has observed.

Note on letter received 7 May [1798].

Glad that Bracy Clark is with Davall, has received full account of Davall's health and symptoms in Clark's letters. Concludes that Davall chiefly needs repose. Reassures Davall not to worry about the fate of England, "every nerve will be exerted in National defence", he relies on "our navy, which has always saved us". Would like to send his just printed "Tracts relating to natural history". "English Botany" to be doubled to twelve plants a month. Extremely busy: his plans for next few months. Requests seeds of 'Pinus cembra' for [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert as he is writing on the genus.

Note for Bracy Clark on second folio, cropped.

Last wrote by Mr Brown, surgeon of the Albion, in December; hopes Smith received the seeds, specimens, and insects. Arrived at the Cape a few days ago; sending his son, George, to England under care of a surgeon from Bengal Establishment. Requests Smith's assistance in getting his son, William [(fl 1780s-1810)], who has been studying in Edinburgh, a place as a writer in Bengal Establishment, otherwise to have him appointed his botanical assistant; would write to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert on subject but does not have an introduction.

His health suffered during the voyage but now feels recovered; intends to remain 6 or 8 months, or until William and his sister arrive. Sends box of insects, including many 'Phalena paphia', which yields a large quantity of strong silk, as Smith will see by the cocoons he has sent Sir Joseph Banks, and another species of 'Phalena', the caterpillars of which live on leaves of 'Palma christi', observations on its silk; has written an account on both but yet to publish. Also sends specimens of nutmeg in spirits.

Replies to Pleasance's letter of 15 [April 1798]. Account of his journey to Oxford. Account of visit to Peter Collinson's [(1694-1768)] garden at Mill Hill, [Middlesex], with [Aylmer Bourke] and [Catherine] Lambert. Attended Mrs [Sarah] Siddon's [(1755-1831), actress] benefit with Mrs Lambert, "The Stranger" and "The Devil to Pay" were performed; his opinion. Arrangements for travelling to Hafod, [Cardiganshire, home of Thomas Johnes]. Opinion of others on the Welsh views. Home in June to meet Frederick and Emma [Smith's brother and sister-in-law].

[Letter incomplete: second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Sending live collection of his mints ['Mentha']; planting and care instructions. Plates and letterpress of his work ["Menthae Britannicae"] almost finished printing, expects it to be published by 1 June.

Numbered list of the mints, in three orders: 'Mentha spicata', 'M. capitata', and 'M. verticillata', 26 specimens in total.

Corrections to several names in the collection of dried mints he sent 1796. Regards to [John] Pitchford.

Additional correction on small separate note.

No summary available.

Preparations by Oxford academics in case of invasion. Account of his journey to Hafod [home of Thomas Johnes]. His patient, [Mariamne Johnes], not as well as expected; a lumbar abscess in her thigh. Glad Pleasance does not seem "really unhappy about the invasion"; he expects they will keep the country in suspense; trusts the Navy will prevent any landings.

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] appear to be missing, presumed destroyed]

Invites Smith to visit him on his way back from Hafod, [Cardiganshire, home of Thomas Johnes].

Encloses small drawing [extant] of the small 'Medusa' he left for him at Linnean Socitey's rooms; observations. Has little knowledge of the Mollusca tribe but would be glad to have it the subject of a paper in "Linnean Transactions".

Two small coloured sketches of 'Medusa', one magnified, found adhereing to branch of 'Fucus cricoides' in Mounts Bay, summer 1797.

Mr Abernethy and Dr [David] Davies have been in attendance on his daughter, whose poor health has led them to to cancel their trip to Matlock, [Derbyshire]; hopes Smith and his wife will visit them here instead. Takes comfort in his friends and Smith.

Unfortunate that in having two houses she cannot live in either of them; wishes she could have seen Smith but will be pleased to see Corrêa at Upper Baker Street, [London]. Asks if she can send the drawings of her sister's, Mrs Dorset, which she did as a beginning of her plan for "the 26 classes". An unexpected domestic occurance has made her "heart ache & hand tremble, but they are used to it, & both should by this time know better".

Glad that Smith has received "Hindoostan" [volumes one and two of "Outlines of the Globe"]. Complains of unfair treatment from the Linnean Society in their censuring him for profiting from his publications. Defends himself: states that he has never made a profit on his books, and has always kept back twenty copies of each run to gift; explains his finances; requests Smith to accept his voluntary resignation from the Society. His son David commanding corps of 100 men from the two parishes of their estate.