Remarks on compliment "Sarum" [Richard Salisbury] has paid Smith in his "Paradisus [Londinensis]", points out errors viz. 'Castalia sacra' does not open in the morning but the evening and the figure of 'Castalia magnifica' is taken from a small specimen. If Smith wishes to give a better figure of it offers to obtain one twice as big from "Fleming's Drawings" for him. Would not be surprised if Salisbury is forced to change the title of his work to "Paradise Lost". Has heard from the Marquess [of Blandford, George Spencer-Churchill] that he [Salisbury] is not likely to have the honour of "describing them minutely"at Whiteknights, [Reading, Berkshire].

No summary available.

Sends Roscoe a budget about the "plantae scitamineae" and Lord Valentia's [George Annesley] "Indexes to Willdenow" as completed. Describes his his return journey from Liverpool to Norwich via Huntingdon, Cambridge, including the botanic garden, and Ely, including the cathedral.

Transcribes an attack made by [Richard] Salisbury on himself in fifth number of his "Paradisus Londinensis"; defends himself and transcribes the passage from "Exotic botany" which apparently provoked Salisbury, and details involvement of [Edward] Rudge and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Salisbury also "sneered" at [Étienne Pierre] Ventenat's "Jardin de la Malmaison", confirming his suspicions of Salisbury's deceit, though if nothing else occurs still intends to reappoint him vice-president of the Linnean Society next year as he has "always been attentive & useful".

Sends Roscoe his paper on Norwich botanists, and two pods of vanilla from his journey to Italy. Convinced Raphael's picture of the Holy Family at Okeover [Hall, Staffordshire] is an original; description. "Exotic botany" reviewed much more favourably than Roscoe's "Leo" in Baldwin's "Literary Journal". Colonel [Thomas] Hardwicke to visit. The "Monthly Review" speaks "very differently" of his biographical paper, from Salisbury's account in "Annals [of Botany]". Reminds Roscoe of his "purposed assistance" with "Exotic Botany".

No summary available.

Apologises for delay in sending this letter. Thanks for Australian lichens and volume three of "Flora Britannica". Responds to plant observations in Smith's letter with his own. Notes on classification method in "Annals of Botany" and new classification method for lichens. His lichen collection for Linnean Society contains 500 species, hopes to send it next year. Requests first two volumes of "Flora Britannica" and further Australian plants, including 'Banksia', 'Smithia', 'Musa', 'Heliconia', 'Phormia', 'Forstera', ferns and tree ferns. Details of "History of Swedish Lichens", now being published. Awaiting lichens from [Dawson Turner]. Has not followed up proposal that he be made FMLS.

Note [in Smith's hand] labelled "To Achar[iu]s", listing several plants, including: 'Solanum stelligerum', 'Eriocalia major', 'E. minor', 'Bladfordia nobilis', 'Banksia integrifolia' flower and leaves, 'B. spinulosa' leaves, 'Cyathea auborea', 'Danaea nodosa', and 'Westringia rosmariniformis'.

In consequence of Smith's "considerations" at the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden about the "'Aloe' alias 'Agave'" sent to Portugal for the flower stalk of one. Gives description of its size and cutting. Sending a branch of it to Smith along with a 'Melancia', watermelon, and Portugal onions.

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No summary available.

Thanks for promise of specimen of 'Trapa natans'. Has sent specimens of the "Lambert nut" in all its stages to [James] Sowerby for possible inclusion in "Exotic Botany". Received from Gaertner first part of his "continuation of the Carpology". Received letters from [William] Roxburgh who has plenty of work [for Lambert] with his Flora although his herbarium is very small. Roxburgh having difficulties finding a house big enough for his large family. [George] Jackson saw "our worthy friend" [probably Richard Salisbury] looking for seeds of 'Convolvulus' and saying Smith was mistaken about them. Intends to ask Salisbury when he intends to publish new edition of his "Paradise Lost" ["Paradisus Londinensis"]. An unnamed "certain person" whose affair with Forster and Lambert deserves him "to be hurt". Would like Smith's opinion of [William George] Maton's new work ["A general view of the writings of Linnaeus"], reviewed by Thornton in the "Monthly Epitome".

"No impartial person can approve of" [Richard] Salisbury's conduct towards Smith; approves of Smith's determination to not take any further notice. Requests paper from Smith to be read at next Linnean Society meeting at their new house in Gerard Street, [Soho], "which is fitted up in a very capital style". He continues extremely busy with his official work.

Sends a collection of 200 mosses largely gathered in the county of Kerry in 1796. Has moss specimens for [Dawson] Turner should he want them. Sends rare Irish plants and gives habitats: 'Sium verticillatum' at Loun Bridge, near Killarney; 'Bartsia viscosa' as in his "Plantae rarior"; and 'Saxifraga geum' or 'S. hirsuta' (hopes to determine which when it flowers from the seeds and roots he planted) from Gap of Dunloc which divides Mac-Gilly-Cuddy's Reeks from Tornies Mountain and is the direct road to the Purple Mountain, near Killarney.

Remarks and observations on various plants from the same mountain area: extraordinary varities of 'Saxifraga umbrosa'; 'Pinguicula lusitanica' is common; 'Schoenus rufus' abundant on Purple Mountain; 'Euphorbia hiberna' uniformly furnished with "umbella quinquefida", many between thirty and forty inches high, almost has a completed figure, a necessity for the Irish plant as no others approach it except "Hortus Elthamensis" t.290; 'Serapis latifolia' very common about peninsula of Mucruss; 'Orobanche elatior' and 'Polypodium cambricum' in profusion in ruins of abbey at Mucruss; considers 'Aspidium oreopteris' and 'Adiantum capillus-veneris' rare ferns. Asks if Smith considers 'Schoenus marisus' rare. 'Hymenophyllum tunbridgense' abundant on mountains of Kerry; 'Osmunda regalis' grows to a luxuriant state that makes it more resemble a shrub than a fern on islands in the range and upper lakes at Killarney. Was sent by an unnamed acquaintance of Smith 'Subularia aquatica', in fact 'Littorella lacustris'.

Sends remarks on 'Holcus odoratus' and 'Buddlea globosa'. Asks if Smith knows a coloured figure of 'Holcus odoratus'. Still waiting for John Templeton's "Flora of Ireland", unsure likelihood of his own appearing.

No summary available.

Laments [James] Currie [(1756-1805), physician and author] and Clarke, who both died shortly after Smith left Liverpool. Remarks on positive change in character of his son, James, following his return to Allerton after long absence [training under Samuel Taylor of Norfolk, farmer]. Thanks for Smith's letter of observations and specimens; convinced his system will withstand criticism but has struggled to write dissertation on it.

Has learnt via [William Fitt] Drake that after receiving a "very violent" letter from [Richard] Salisbury, Smith has terminated all further intercourse; [Roscoe] glad Salisbury has shown himself publically, thus making the split justifiable and proper.

Reports on unexpected docking of "The Investigator" at Liverpool on way to Plymouth, and encounter with the two naturalists [Robert] Brown and [Ferdinand] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist]; their collections could not be opened or seen but informed they found only one Scitamineae, an 'Alpinia'. Smith has a start on them with "Exotic botany".

Postscript on left-hand side of verso of first folio: returns "valuable specimen" of the "Arur. Cardamom", keeping the other specimens for present.

Concerned Smith's copy of his edition of [Richard] Pulteney's ["A general view of the writings of Linnaeus"] has miscarried. Remarks on the book, including his decision not to explain the Linnaean system and not to discuss the collections in depth.

List of local plants and habitats. Informs Smith that [Thomas] Hutton [(fl 1780s-1820s)] of Keswick, [Cumberland] is "a sad ignorant imposter" who does not know the most common plants.

[Letter incomplete: first half appears to be missing]

Observations on enclosed specimens: the true 'Cardamine parviflora' of Linnaeus; a specimen of the first moss he ever saw and which much puzzled him, a 'Gymostomum' like 'Davalli' but different. Has been arranging his Jungermannia and hopes to send specimens soon, along with 'Trichostomum rigidulum'. The specimen he sent as 'Dicranum ovale' identified. Observations on "difficult" moss 'G. browniana'.

Sending Roscoe full copies of letters between [Richard] Salisbury and himself, via his sister [Fanny] Martin. Asks whether [Robert] Brown and [Ferdinand] Bauer's [(1760-1826), botanical artist] thought his "Exotic botany" was "hostile, or unfair to them"; states that he bought all the New Holland specimens, and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert the drawings, twelve years before the expedition was proposed, but is keen to avoid a quarrel and will avoid publishing the same plants. Brown likely to be made resident librarian of Linnean Society with salary, which now has new premises in Gerard Street.

Sends copy of his paper from seventh volume of "Linnean Transactions", which "Squire Alias" criticised so much. Has a carbuncle [on the eye] but recovering well.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 4 [November 1805]. Expects [Richard] Salisbury's "passions" to "recoil on himself with double impetus"; first he has heard of "Paradisus Loninensis". Reassures Smith regarding "Flora Graeca". Asks if Smith took any notice of specimen of 'Alisma repens' he sent in former letter. Pleased report that Sir Robert Williams, MP, will no longer be taking a long absence. Requests any spare 'Salix' specimens.

No summary available.

Sorry to hear Smith's health continues bad. Fears Smith misunderstood some of his expressions in his last letter and reassures him that he has not shown any of his letters regarding his dispute with [Richard] Salisbury; the only blame imputed to Smith is for "taking up the Gauntlet at all". Smith's "character as a Botanist stands too highly to be at all affected by anything Mr S has said or can say", pleased to hear Smith will not take the matter further. Mr [John] Loudon proposed FLS on Smith's recommendation.