Thanks for election as FMLS. Sending his paper on genus 'Dillenia' for "Linnean Transactions". Received a specimen of 'Ternstromia', a species of his 'Cleyera'. Awaiting list of Smith's plant requirements, but in meantime enclosing specimes of 'Hovenia' and other grasses. Whilst he was in Africa received specimen of 'Wachendorfia graminifolia', and brought back from Japan nuts of 'Gingko bilboa', but has been unable to obtain flowers from it.

Received from Smith academic dissertations by Linnaeus, plants for his herbarium and seeds, which have been planted in [Rodrigo de] Sousa [Coutinho's] garden, suggests in future Smith sends seeds rather than dried specimens to Sousa. Planning to write to [Edmund] Davall. Hopes to see a new edition of Smith's "Vegetabilium System", a bookseller in Turin would like every book on botany or natural history Smith has published or intends to publish. Satisfied with Smith's observations on the plants of uncertain classification, has consulted Scheuchzer's "Agrostographiae Helveticae Prodromus", is certain that the 'Phalaris' in question is the one described by Linnaeus and not 'Radice perenni', on which he is currently working on a memoir of for the Academy of Sciences. The 'Arenaria' he sent with the name of 'Saxatilis vill' is a perennial. Discussion of 'Arenaria zanoni', 'Arenaria flaccida', 'Arenaria capillacea', 'Arenaria striata'. Asks for advice on 'Allium nigrum', 'Potentilla verna', 'Androsace lactea', 'Ranunculus cuneifolium', 'Campanula rupestris', 'Trifolium aureum', 'Spartium [...]', 'Asperula saxatilis', 'Asperula cynanchica', 'Festuca decidua', 'Radix perennis', 'Polypodium [pessimalte]', 'Anthemis altissima', all of which Smith has received from Bellardi, this list is underlined in pencil.

No summary available.

Thanks for books. Introduces Onofrio Scasso, a physician who studied at Pavia University and is now in London to learn new skills. Thanks for being made ALS. Has been neglecting his natural history studies since his appointment as assistant lecturer to chair of anatomy, occupied by his father.

Struggling to grow the seeds sent by Smith due to their arrival late in the season. [William] Thomson [(c 1760-1806), mineralogist and physician] is to visit him and although pleased is disturbed by the reason for his journey [Thomson was disgraced in 1790 following imputations from a previous experiment on a man and accusations of "improper behaviour" with a servant boy]. Involved in sourcing the Republic's army with clothing and other items. Introduces Dr Onofrio Scasto who is carrying the letter and travelling with Mr Malis. Requests seeds, especially of 'Passiflora', 'Mimosa', 'Robinia', 'Aeschinomene', 'Cassia', and 'Lantana', amongst others. Attempting to grow 'Phaseolus caracalla' again after it died in cold weather.

Introduces Mr Istria, a medical doctor interested in natural history and botany.

Sending Smith eight volumes of the Royal Agricultural Society of Turin via Dr Istria, who is travelling to London with the Marquess of Moss, asks that Smith introduces Istria to the medical establishment. Also sending a dissertation on the propagation of mushrooms, work by Mr Pic and a pamphlet by Mr Bonansea on a new theory on the internal cause of the putrid fever. Has had to postpone sending dried plant specimens. Hopes in future to send the five volumes of the old Royal Academy of Sciences of Turin and the three volumes of the new Royal Academy of Sciences. Thanks Smith for the paper he sent on the "propagation of species" and seeds of 'Smithia' and welcomes his paper on ferns and on any other subject of natural history.

No summary available.

Introduces Boncal.

Will let Smith decided whether her gift of ["Icones pictae plantarum rariorum.."] for [Edmund] Davall should be the large or small copy. Her 'Portlandia', in addition to the 17 flowers Smith saw on it at once, keeps flowering without signs of exhaustion and has two fruits swelling on it, though most are not, asks in what state he would like to inspect them. Asks after [James] Sowerby's drawings of 'Portlandia' and 'Myrtus tomentosa' for her.

Requests copy of lesser sized ["Icones pictae plantarum rariorum.."] for herself with both English and Latin, and Duchess of Portland [Dorothy Bentinck], Mrs [Elizabeth] Weddell, and [William Fitzwilliam, 4th Earl] Fitzwilliam [(1748-1833)] will also want copies.

Edmund Davall writes: sending small parcel of plants. [Jacob] Wyttenbach and [Albrecht von] Haller [(1758-1823)] have given up plan for their work [new edition of the elder Haller's "Icones plantarum Helvetiae"] and he has refused to allow Wyttenbach a reimpression of his plates for their work; transcribes, in French, Wyttenbach's response. Does not consider it a burden to collect plants such as 'Satyrium repens' for Smith. Procured copy of [Nikolaus von] Jacquin's "Enumeratio stirpium [...] agro Vindobonensi...", with plates, for Smith. Will settle [James] Sowerby's bill for work on his plates, also requests second fasciculus of Sowerby's "Florists Delight" for his wife and commissions drawings of 'Limodorum', 'Tankervilli', 'Strelitzia', 'Protea mellifera' and another "fine showy & rare plants" for his wife's room. Thinks his 'Cerinthe' is Haller's 602, and that Haller may have fabricated descriptions, prefers scientific name 'Cerinthe perennis'.

Henriette Davall writes in a postscript, in French: [description to follow].

Smith will receive a copy each of his two new works, one on miliary fever and the other entitled "Conspectus presentaneae morborum conditionis".

Declined Mr Bromfield's drawings as Smith's information on 'Coralline' was decisive and is out of her area of interest. Much more inclined to send [Edmund] Davall the larger copy of Smith's ["Icones pictae plantarum rariorum.."].

Offers her hothouse 'Gordonia pubescens' to be drawn by [James] Sowerby; notices that Linnaeus and Kew place 'Gordonia' under different classes, hers seems 'Monogynia' but inside of flower resembles 'Camelia'. Lightning and distant thunder yesterday evening.

No summary available.

Smith elected Associate Foreign Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Turin in preference to [Peter Simon] Pallas and others by a majority of seventeen to two. Dr Istria was unable to bring to London the promised six volumes of memoirs of the Royal Agricultural Society of Turin.

Smith has been elected as a foreign member of the Turin Academy. Looking forward to receiving dried plants promised by Smith.

'Gordonia pubescens' dropped off this morning and was examined, sends principle part of flower. The new 'Geranium' in her stove which Smith pointed out is coming into flower, suggests that [James] Sowerby sketch it. Requests copies of Sowerby's "Florist" to circulate in Yorkshire.

Pleased Woodward's health is recovering; does not doubt health benefits of taking quicksilver, though as he does not understand how it works he ought to deny its usefulness.

His "Icones pictae" and "Spicilegium botanicum" both soon published. [Samuel] Goodenough in London tomorrow for Royal Society anniversary meeting; looking forward to seeing the Crowes. Ordered continuation of Bulliard's ["Histoire des champignons"] for Woodward some time ago from L'Héritier but he is now extremely busy. "Linnean Transactions" vol 1 out by Christmas. Glad Woodward is thinking of coming to London in the spring. Still working on ferns; for the genus 'Woodwardia' only has species 'W. nodosa' and 'W. alata', disproves of name of former. Thanks for drawing of 'Lycoperdon phalloides', which will be in first number of "Spicilegium botanicum". Writing the text for [James] Sowerby's "English botany", on plan of [William] Curtis' "Magazine", for free, till he sees whether it succeeds or not; its motto from Virgil; contents of first number.

Discouraged by Smith's mention of the difficulties of settling the mints, but not yet abandoning his intention; sending Smith all his specimens, discusses 'Mentha sativa', 'M. gentilis', 'M. exigua', 'M. villosa', and 'M. sylvestris'.

Compliments to [James] Sowerby, intends to take his "little work" ["English botany"], "the botanist searches in vain for something to feast upon". Compliments Smith's "Icones pictae" but unable to purchase it. Encloses two 'Squilla' for determination.

Requests introduction to [John] Fairbairn for her gardener, Grieg, to see Chelsea [Physic Garden] plants and the 'Heleconia' coming into flower, and for him to view Smith's Linnaean collections. Hopes [Joseph von] Jacquin will stay in England this winter "for I should think the troubles at Paris must interrupt all science, as well as pleasure", and if he stays till summer will arrange for him to visit her, Bulstrode [Park, Buckinghamshire, home of Duke of Portland], and Mrs North's and [Charles Bennet, 4th Earl of] Tankerville's [(1743-1822)] collections.

'Myrtus tomentosa' about to flower, will tell Smith for his book as it has never been figured ["Icones pictae plantarum rariorum..."]. Would like to see painting of 'Aralia' before given to Jacquin for his father [Nikolaus von Jacquin]; it is very tall and flowered on three branches this year compared to last year's five.