Found his new 'Juncus' in rocks about Tunbridge Wells, [Kent], and Hainult forest in Essex, where it grows mixed with 'J. pilosus' and 'J. sylvaticus'; some observations.

Condolences on death of [Thomas] Taylor, who was his introduction to Smith. Called on his brother, Philip Taylor, who is in good health, but Meadow's [Taylor's nephew] leg injury from the rifle corps has swelled and erupted again. [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] began journey to London yesterday and will visit Birmingham and Lord Valentia's [George Annesley] on the way and after visit Smith at Norwich. Thanks for Linnean Society membership. Discusses the health of his two sons.

Gifts from Madame Buonaparte. His "Jardin de Cels" and "Jardin de Malmaison". Smith's books wanted for Panthèon library.

Will gladly show [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] his garden at Clapham, [Surrey]; his Cape plants most noteworthy, especially 'Protea' and 'Erica'. Gets few things from Botany Bay but believes he is the only one to succeed in raising 'Embothrium speciosissimum' from seed. Requests seeds of 'Boronia serrulata'. Regrets that no Linnean frequently helps him with notes and collation as he does not have the time to study. Anticipating [William Roscoe's] "Leo X", enjoyed his "Life of Lorenzo de Medici".

Fears invasion by French but concedes that Bonaparte "will have been so far a benefactor to Englishmen that he will have taught us the value of the blessings Providence allows us". A 'Myrtus', the only one to grow between three attempted by her and Lady [Sophia] de Clifford, has flowered. A 'Cobben' Smith gave her the seeds, a creeper with purple flowers, has been grown by [Amelia] Long [neé Hume (1762-1837) daughter of Amelia and Abraham Hume, watercolour painter], has asked her to draw it.

Sorry to have not met Smith at Liverpool, Lancashire. Alarm of possible invasion, hopes that a compromise may soon be reached between the "two hostile governments" [presumably Britain and France]. Condolence on death of Mr Taylor, commiserates by relating how much he has been affected by the recent death of a close friend, [Mangin]. The burdens of a long life, religion his only consolation, does not feel Dr Johnson's horror of the idea of non-existence. Believes that the Irish Courts of Justice not being permitted to do any business next term shows the government is alarmed by the prospect of a French invasion, and although it would be easier for them to invade England they will meet with many more friends in Ireland. Has heard there is a "pleasing litterary society" in Liverpool, where he has been staying. Also met [William] Roscoe, complimentary towards Dr Currie. Saw multiple 'Xeranthemum' had by a lady from the Cape.

Her friend, Mr Geary, is desirous of an introduction to Sir Joseph Banks. Asks after [Andrew] Caldwell as the loss of the use of her limbs has prevented her from keeping in contact with her distant friends. A friend of hers has 'Oxalis corniculata' growing in his Sussex garden, contrary to habitats of the Devon and Exeter areas given in "Flora Britannica" .

'Bryum cirrhatum' the same as 'Bryum dicksoni'. Has recently sent [James] Sowerby 'Allium carinatum' but cannot find 'Hypnum polycarpon' in fruit so unable to send it for drawing. Asks to be remembered as having found and ascertained 'Hypnum polycarpon' and offers to send more specimens if needed.

Thanks for parcel from Smith. Delighted by John Shepherd's [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] account of his visit to London and Norwich, and the acquisitions of "the first importance" and connections he has made. Praises Smith's "Tour of the Continent", of which the observations and opinions accord with his own, and believes the "well tempered zeal for national liberty, that love of science & predilection for works of art" will render it highly interesting to all who feel "for the true dignity & happiness of mankind". Confirms Smith's declination of word "Mediceorum" and discusses the usage. Distressed by public affairs; "was there ever such an instance of the insanity of mankind as the present war".

Recommends a chimney-sweeping machine for Smith to introduce at Norwich.

Printed notice by Society for Superseding the Necessity of Climbing Boys..., dated 26 October 1803, recommending to the general public the chimney cleaning machine invented by Mr Smart.

Praises the "truly Christian goodness" of Smith's cookmaid, Mrs Cobbold, for sending presents "to those who persecuted her". Currently a bad market for all sales and now has 200 sheep and 46 head of cattle undisposed of, which will eat him out. Continuing heavy snow fall. Mrs Johnes thanks Smith for the seeds; she has now taken the conservatory and garden under her management. He has made his cook his gardener, as he did not have enough work to do, since which time he has become a "much superior cook". Mariamne [Johnes, his daughter] is very attentive to her music and drawing, and has two gardens to look after, one of which has just been ornamented with a vase Smith might have seen at [Sir Joseph] Banks' in London.

Enjoyed reading [William] Hayley's "Life of Cowper". Did not learn much from [William] Godwin's "[Life of] Chaucer" for his translation of Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler], but is saved him from attempting a "history of the manners of those times", and though he criticises Godwin's "unequal & dogmatical" style believes he has "made an addition to our literature". Busy ensuring his first volume is ready for Christmas though certain of errors and unclear on how White will publish it.

Declines Smith's offer to name a lichen after him. Detailed numbered observations on various 'Lichen'.

Discussion of pricing and profit and loss for his "A description of the genus Pinus". Lord Spencer [George John Spencer], Lord Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill], Lord Bath [Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath (1765-1837)], and [William] Beckford [(1759-1844)] have all had copies. Sir Joseph Banks thinks it "the finest work ever published".

Sorry Dr [George] Williams failed in Oxford election by so large a majority. His second son is at Christchurch, Oxford, lists efforts made to help him settle in; it is now compulsory to attend Divinty lectures during the hunting season.

Had planned to spend August at Redcar, [Yorkshire], a bathing-place near mouth of the Tees but so uncomfortable they went to Scarborough instead. The coasrt at has loose sand hills with 'Arundo arenaria' and 'Carex arenaria'. Gathered some saltmarsh plants near Chichester in summer of 1802. Last spring experimented with Forsyth's composition [for healing injured trees] on fruit trees and young oaks and though initially dissatisfied with it thinks it has now answered in most of his trials; details results from a laurel.

Can find no person to tell him systematically what proportion of cock pheasants to hen pheasants should be killed and dicusses Lord Paget's figures; his pheasants are much scarcer this year after carrion crows destroyed nearly 100 eggs.

Turned down Smith's offer to name a lichen after him on account of the extra expense it would entail through an increase of correspondence, and in fact intends to quite botany for a while to reduce his expenditure.

Notes on [Erik] Acharius' new work "Methodus Lichenum".

Second edition of his tour of North Wales to appear shortly, updated from findings of second tour undertaken in 1801. Second edition of his "Animal Biography" also to appear; has material to take it from 3 to 4 volumes; new edition to stay with 3; 750 copies printed. He is now using German writers and untranslated French works for information; difficulty of obtaining Schreber's "Mammalia" and Bloch's "Ichthyologie"; uses British Museum Library; relying on Rees' "Cyclopedia" natural history writers. Requests list of suitable zoology books.

Hopes Smith is not concerned at his library and collections becoming spoils of war; concern for [Adam] Afzelius in Sierra Leone. Asks if there is a French translation of Bloch. Collecting 'Coleoptera'. Asks if Smith wants Hampshire fossils.

Sending parcel of specimens, including 'Lichen pruinatus', 'L. fusellus', and 'L. tricolor'. Discussion of various 'Lichen' species. Intends to apply himself to serious study of mosses after receiving [Olof] Swartz' "Disposito Muscorum". Apologises for sending letter on lichens after Smith stated he was putting them aside for a time.

Has not received any answer to his previous letters, would be glad to have his queries answered.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. 'Filago acaulis' [Smith annotation: "not at all like 'Filago acaulis'"]; 2. 'Hypnum riparioides' [Smith annotation: "right, but not rare"]; 3. possible 'Byssus lepro-viride' of [Alexander von] Humboldt distinct from 'Botryoides' [Smith annotation: "surely 'Botryoides'"]; 4. 'Spalchnum' species [Smith annotation: "'lingulatum'"]; 5. 'Bryum', in family 'Dicranum' [Smith annotation: "'D. virens' Schwartz new!"]; 6. 'Bryum ovatum' [Smith annotation: "'Gymn. ovatum'"]; 7. species of 'Eriophorum' like 'angustifolium' [Smith annotation: "'Erioph. polystachium'"].

Observations on 'Erigeron alpinum' found 6 miles from Perth; 'Linnea borealis' and 'Serapias grandiflora' of Lightfoot found in woods near Perth, as well as 'Boletus labyrinthiformis'. Asks Smith's opinion of specimen of plant "taking possession of the leaves of 'Pisum sativum' [Smith annotation: "'Aecidium'?"].

Suprised to find that on opening his specimen of 'Splachnum uncelatum' it separated, so doubts it is the same as 'S. lingulatum'.

One of the "finest collections of specimens of plants that ever came to this country", from Surinam [Suriname], on sale. [Edward] Rudge and himself intend to buy the whole, invite Smith to join them. Describes collection and commiserates "poor Martin". [Joseph Martin (fl 1788-1826) collected living and dried plants from South America for Joséphine de Beauharnais (1763-1814), 1st wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, and Paris Natural History Museum but during the return to France his ship was captured by English privateers. The living plants were sent to Kew and the dried plants bought by Lambert, they are now at the Natural History Museum]. Collection of birds also for sale, Lord Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill] has been in town and intends to buy all of Martin's seeds and two of the bird boxes.

Thanks for foreign [zoology] book recommendations. Asks for introduction for Dr Morgan to use Sir Joseph Banks' library.