Relates "melancholy news" of a girl who has been the "victim of too much sensibility and inexperience" who became acquainted with "an imprudent young man, now shut up in the Tower". Has not yet looked into "Flora Britannica", believes it is generally a "dull period for botany". Regrets that "Flora Graeca" is not to proceed as intended in Bauer's essay. Delayed replying to a Linnean Society letter regarding obtaining a charter.

Encloses a specimen from the Cape of either 'Galanthus' or 'Leucojum', sent via Mr Rowley's brother, a sea captain. Is resuming his botanical studies with the assistance of "Flora Britannica". Longs for one or two distinct characteristics of grasses to be pointed out to him so as to avoid having to go into minute examination. [John] Underwood [(fl 1780s-1834)], gardener at Dublin Botanic Garden, is growing 'Anemone hortensis' in a greenhouse. Wishes that an "accurate and able" botanist would complete "Flora Londinensis". Glad that Smith's travels through Greece [writing of "Flora Graeca"] "are perform'd at the Desk" as "that climate don't seem to agree with English Constitutions", recalls the death in Greece of Mr Tweddale. Feels no alarm at the situation of Ireland but concern for the starving and situation of the poor. Obliged to Dawson Turner for remembering him. Remarks that if Smith ever quits botany he could look into Helen Maria Williams [(1762-1827) writer], "in the vast profusion of chaff there may be found a few good grains of fact". A friend just arrived from Paris was disappointed by the paucity of the Garden there.

The "Champion Potatoes" sent by Smith's mother from Norwich have been distributed and planted although have come up with both white and red blossoms, asks which is the true "Champion", Smith has annotated "the white is the right, orange stamina". Has been botanising with "Flora Britannica", approves that 'Cucubalus beken' is now 'Silene behen' but queries how it was determined. The only other plants he has seen are 'Draba verna' and either 'Fumaria capreolata' or 'Fumaria officinalis'. Believes the flower he sent previously was not 'Corolla supera' and therefore could not be either 'Galanthus' or 'Leucojum'. Suprised to find that 'Fumaria solida' and 'Fumaria lutea' are natives.

Delighted and surprised at the "sudden unexpected blessing of Peace" [with France] and excited by possibility of accompanying Smith to Paris. [Walter] Wade will send Smith his catalogue of plants found at Connemara, Ireland. Unenthused by the idea of such expeditions. His summer botanising confined to his garden in Dublin but did find, and encloses, a specimen of 'Myosotis ß', and 'Rubus idaeus'. Comments on the unpleasant scent of 'Orchis latifolia'. Compares figures of [Philip] Miller and [William] Curtis. Found many 'Bidens' at the Bishop of Dromore's in County Down. Also found another location of 'Rubus idaeus', convincing him that it is indigenous. Asks if there is any mark to distinguish 'Nymphaea lutea' and 'Nymphaea alba' when not in flower.

Winter has been severe but believes not as much as it has been in England. Vast flocks of crossbills, 'Loxia curvirosta', stayed from the end of August till the beginning of October and wreaked havoc in the orchards. Details the course of their flight across Ireland, believes they are "good prognostics of a severe winter" having also been observed in other winters with hard frosts. Has seen in December's "Monthly Review" a "Natural History of Pennsylvania" by [Benjamin Smith] Barton. Has also seen [William] Turton's [(1762-1835), conchologist] "The Animal Kingdom" advertised. Comments on a lottery prize; biggest prizes always go to the rich. 'Eranthemum pulchellum' is in Dublin stores, a rumour that London gardeners stole it from Kew.

Feels that Smith is too sedentary and wishes he would dedicate some time to exercise, recommends him to winter in Devon or Cornwall. [Dawson] Turner and his wife have been visiting. A very cold summer, believes there shall be no fruit, hay, or grass, but the corn and potatoes are growing well. Sorry that the new charter for the Linnean Society has caused dissention. Advised to go to Harrogate, Yorkshire, and take the waters for an external ear condition.

Shall try and come to Liverpool for a good proportion of the lectures. Tentatively invites Smith to Dublin for his own proposed course of lectures. Inclined to believe that Smith's library is "more choice and perfect" than Sir Joseph [Banks'] more extensive library. Not surprised that Smith's reputation attracted Madame Buonaparte's [Joséphine de Beauharnais (1763-1814) 1st wife of Napoleon Bonaparte] attention; would like to see the presents she sent him. Believes the war to be unjustifiable and that "England occasions inconvenience and embarrassment to every state in Europe".

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.

Disappointed to not go to Norwich but was too busy during his visit to Cambridge to get away. Met [Edward Daniel] Clarke who travelled with [John Marten] Cripps [(1780-1853), traveller and antiquary] to the Crimea, met [Peter Simon] Pallas and purchased his herbarium and brought back a vast natural history collection, describes it in some detail including bust of Ceres. Has heard that the drawing of Mars and Venus omitted in the prints of the "Elogium Stultitiae" is now engraved in Veaux's French translation of "Elogium" printed at Basel in 1780 [French translation of Erasmus' "The Praise of Folly"]. The [Dublin] Botanic Garden now has 6000 plants.

Disappointed to not be able to join Smith and his family in Liverpool and missing the lectures. Invites Smith to come to Ireland after his stay in Liverpool. Mackay is on a botanising tour of County Cork. Enjoying the second volume of [William] Roscoe's "Leo" ["The Life of Lorenzo de' Medici"] but wishes there was a translation of the appendices.