Received Smith's letter yesterday, remarks on potatoes. Heard from [Benjamin] Malkin [(1769-1842), antiquarian] that Smith's book ["A tour to Hafod" (1810)] was in a "fair way of being made publick". Discusses views and drawings of Hafod, a plan of house, drawing of the mosaic "with its proper colours", internal rearrangements he has made, an engraving of the obelisk he erected to the late [Francis Russell, 5th] Duke of Bedford [(1765-1802)], has no drawing of the "charming chain bridge" on a new walk he has made.

They are all in good health except for [Hanbury] Williams [his brother-in-law], who seems "on the decline", though "if he would not give such way to his grief" [following death of his wife and Johnes' sister, Elizabeth] he would "last some time". Delightful weather and fine foliage, though the "urns of my river gods are almost dry".

Thanks for Smith's letter of 13 [August]. Will miss Smith's friend Colonel Purton as he will be at the Cardigan assizes. His wife has had a return of her spasms. [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] has been dangerously ill but now convalescing; he is their "sheet anchor" as he knows all their constitutions so well. Describes interior and exterior improvements at Hafod; has let out the farm he had in hand at three times the rent as when he took it on, and has now begun improving 2000 acres of wildground to let out in four or five years time.

Happy Smith has been pleased with La Broequine and thanks him for his notes, which he will make use of in the next edition. Has been extremely inconvenienced by [John Henry Petty, 2nd Marquess of] Lansdowne [(1765-1809)] abandoning his purchase of the Priory.

Mariamne [Johnes, his daughter] has become a "prodigious fine miniature paintress". His work on [Enguerrand de] Monstrelet [(1400-1453), French chronicler] translation: first volume printed and second will be finished by March, keeps three printers constantly employed. Fire at Hafod House: his Venetian library in "grand confusion", having escaped the fire, but lost first volume of "Flora Graeca" and all "Linnean Transactions". Intends to restore library "as handsome as before".

Thanks for Smith's letters of 8 and 24 [February], gave his daughter [Mariamne Johnes] the packet of seeds. Believes lawyers and liars are "one and the same". Has not read Mrs [Anna Letitia] Barbauld's [(1743-1825), poet and essayist] book yet. Second volume of his [Enguerrand de] Monstrelet [(1400-1453), French chronicler] translation printed up to second volume but other frustrations have delayed publication. Pleased with the books he recently acquired, including five Caxtons. Shall forward Smith's letter to Ireland.

Admires [William] Roscoe's pamphlet and thinks [William] Cobbett's [(1763-1835), political writer and farmer] answer "clumsy". Considering a high relief of a Phoenix and Cicero motto in restoration of his burnt down library. Visiting Hanbury Williams in Bath before going on to London, who informs him that his brother is about to marry Miss Cuyler, daughter of the late general; he will have £3000 in hand and as much in money on death of Mr Knight, whose name he will take. Requests seeds of the "single tree peony" from Lady [Amelia] Hume.

Working hard to finish his literary work and constantly writes six sheets a week in preparation for spending the whole of next year visiting in the north. Confident Hafod House will be rebuilt [following a fire] and ready for habitation next September. Has long admired Smith's "bishop" [probably Samuel Goodenough, Bishop of Carlisle] from his speech on the "Catholic question" as it "effectually cuts off any further preferment"._x000D_

Discusses Laing's book, which shocked him. Has been told that "old Rose" is answering Mr Fox's book, he thinks this is a folly. Sorry [Nathaniel Edward] Kindersley did not call on him when travelling through this part of the country. Thanks to [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] they are all "vastly well", though Mrs Johnes caught cold at St Paul's, when the "grandest sight" he ever saw of "the Charity Children took place". Beddoes has been exceedingly ill. Reminds Smith of 'Paeonia' seeds of Lady [Amelia] Hume he thought he could acquire.

Received Smith's letter of 24 [April]. An Aberystwyth surgeon has used "cuperose" with great effect to cure a young man's epileptic fits, and will write to him if Lady Amelia Hume wants the medicine. "Great loss" in death of [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician]. Returns Smith's manuscript and has made only minor corrections, offers plan of the present house [for Smith's "A tour to Hafod" (1810)].

Complains of the "miserable criticism" the "Edinburgh [Review]" of his [Jean de] Joinville [(1224-1317), French chronicler] translation; suspects it was "fabricated here by an ancient supposed friend". Laments "change in men's minds in last year", "they all seem unhinged" and they have "no heads and no leaders".

His family's tour of the north: visited Edinburgh, the south country of Scotland, Westmoreland to visit the Bishop of Llandaff [Richard Watson (1737-1817)], then Liverpool, [Lancashire]. Asks if Smith has seen Mr Blundell's collections at Ince, [Lancashire], where there are very fine marbles including a Theseus; he made him present of the "real hand" of his Bachuus, which is now complete. Disappointed to return to find rebuilding of Hafod ongoing.

Wishes Smith would print something in his "Tour of Hafod" to contradict the rumours that the Hafod estate is entailed on the male line, and to state that his daughter [Mariamne Johnes] will inherit it all.