Received new "Linnean Transactions", criticises [Robert] Teesdale's paper [ 'A Supplement to the Plantae Eboracenses'] for being too long; doubts propriety of giving whole floras. An attempted robbery at Hall Place whilst he was in Exmouth, [Devon]. Has anonymously published a six penny pamphlet "Cautions to young sportsmen" in attempt to prevent gun accidents, inspired by Lord Andover's accident [Charles Nevinson Howard, Viscount Andover (1775-1800), eldest son of John Howard, 15th Earl of Suffolk, killed by accidental discharge of his fowling piece], and that there is no advice of this kind in print except single line in [Thomas] Page's "Art of Shooting"; two gunmakers have seen and find no fault with it.

There is an account of Lord Andover's death, written by Mr Coke's desire, in January's "Gentleman's Magazine".

Asks Smith whether he should be silent and look over the mistakes he finds in other authors, or publish them; points out several errors in [William] Withering's last publication ["An arrangement of British plants" (1796)], including 'Sphagnum alpinum' and 'Phascum repens'.

Hopes his pamphlet "Cautions to young sportsmen" is widely circulated and prevents accidents; only criticism received is that it is too short, the gunmakers Manton in Dover Street and Joseph Manton in Davies Street make no objections in spite of its attack on double guns, which form greater part of their profits. Will put his name to a second edition if the 750 copies sell and regrets not already doing so. Criticises fashion for books to include engraving of the author and mocks Charles Small Pybus' [(1766-1810), politician] poem "The Sovereign" supposing "he expects some of the Russian Court Ladies to send for him [...] in consequence of the beauty of his appearance, at the head of his verses".

Page's book printed for Scutcherd & Whitaker, details of Norwich printing.

Introducing Baron de Vincke.

Thanks for "Linnean Transactions" [vol 5]. They have been confined all winter, and Mrs Manning [Woodward's mother-in-law] confined entirely to her room; symptoms; her asthma has changed from dry to moist. Enjoyed Smith's paper on 'Mentha', but without specimens to compare it against will never master the subject; the rest of the volume not so interesting, excepting [William] Kirby's papers, and "scanty".

He has no positive recollection of [William] Hudson's opinion on 'Ulva flavescens' and 'U. diaphana', though it appears he doubted any distinction, having only done so from size; [James] Sowerby's drawing "very bad" according to Dawson Turner. Sowerby has still not drawn the 'Fucus torrertosus' he recommended.

Has been imprisoned and condemned to death; fate of his colleagues; Cuvier.

Praises "Flora Britannica" and Smith's work expanding descriptions, "reducing the Botanist's labour tenfold", and new specific descriptions; flattered by notice of him in it.

Thanks for ["Compendium florae Britannicae"]; praises Smith's writing and "unassuming display of knowledge", which is the opposite of modern authors, who "promise mountains, & very often produce not even molehills". Recently suffered from gout in his left hand. Sending copy of rare [John] Ray work after noticing scarcity of his works in Linnean Society library catalogue [see RelatedMaterial below].

Difficulty of acquiring good specimens of 'Lichen tenuissimus' to send [John] Pitchford after the banks of it were so "thoroughly pillaged" by Dawson Turner and Dr Nöder; observations. Glad Smith liked his pamphlet of letters [subject unclear].

Thanks for Smith's two letters; his alarm was less by the time the first arrived and his daughter [Mariamne Johnes] has recovered quickly; [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] was right in speaking out his mind and now rises in his opinion, and Mariamne is now happier than she has been in last six months. Beddoes prescribed her small doses of the 'Calx muricata' and a drop of muriatic acid twice a day, which works "wonderfully well"; she has no phlegm or cough though at one point Beddoes feared tuberculosis; her activities. Delighted with Bristol and its environs, "the air & water have a peculiar softness". Asks [Thomas] Marsham to send sixth volume of "Linnean Transactions".

Charged to revive the correspondence between Picot la Peyrouse [Philippe Picot Lapeyrouse] and Smith.

Thanks for copy of Smith's "Flora Britannica", gratified that he now has a standard to which his botanical arrangements can conform, although regrets that his favourite class of gynandrous plants has not been included.

Thanks for copy of "Flora [Britannica ?]"; glad to hear of Smith's improved health. His daughter [Mariamne Johnes] was ill whilst he was away but [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] is "exceedingly attentive to her". Lord Lansdowne says that the Borghesi and two other "fine collections" are coming to England for sale, and that £6000 was asked for the "Gladiator".

Use of Latin terminology. Forgot to mention his promtion to the Lieutenancy. The patent is "working out" and he will have to go to London to "kiss hands". Has been made "quite comfortable" by the abolition of the auditorships in the last session of Parliament, as he has been placed on a similar footing with those who were appointed for life, for "no minister had ever any bowels". His sister frequently visits from Bath, [Somerset], and Mr Williams, [her husband ?] is in London: they have "been sadly cheated" but Smith's countryman, Sir George Chad, "behaved most handsomely" and got them out of a "a dreadful scrape".

Received Smith's letter of 10 May [1800]. Comments on discrepancies in 'Astragalus' specimens sent by Mr Cullum. Comments of the Linnean Society on his paper on horned cattle "just"; further observations. Hopes to live to see completion of "Flora Britannica". Account of Mr [Charles] Morse, young botanical protege introduced by Smith; introduced him to Dr Rutherford. Thanks for curious collection of seeds of plants he has never seen; has given them to the Botanic Garden.

Received Smith's letter; returns [James] Anderson's letter and sends £2 for Linnean Society subscription. Smith's seeds on the way; applies adage "that the more one has the more one desires" to plants. Botany Bay seeds do "vastly well" and asks if any attempts have been made to naturalise them. Has been sending out and reprinting a paper in an attempt to make an "excellent mode of improvement as public as possible" and also busy working on Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] and printing his "Advice to Tenants".

His family all well and they hope all danger has passed. "Poor little Jones" [medical practitioner attendant on his daughter, Mariamne Johnes] suffered a bad accident on journey to Hafod when the mail coach turned over and lacerated his leg. A passage in Latin for Smith's amusement.

His hearing returned within a few miles of Grantham, [Lincolnshire]. A friend of his has recognised fern root in "Ching's lozenges" after Farquhar prescribed them for severe stomach pains, having previously taken nostrum of the male fern for a tapeworm in Switzerland; refers to a letter addressed to Mr Ching signed by Ireland, the Oxford apothecary, as an avowed piece of fun by an Oxford wag.

Will examine 'Ulva diaphara' and 'Ulva flavescens' at home. Travelling home with Lady Frankland's brother, Mr Smelt, who married Lord Chesterfield's only sister and has eleven children, and his eldest daughter who is to be a companion for Lady Frankland, lessening his dread of returning home.

Thanks for Smith's letters of 24 May and 4 June. Obliged to Sir Thomas Frankland's enquiries; sorry he has had such losses and recalls dining with him and his family at Edward's five years ago; "they were beautiful girls but I did not then think them in such danger". Charles Greville [(1749-1809), mineralogist and horticulturist] has promised Mrs Johnes a true peony when he has propogated it. Critises Symmons' character for "wanting everything another has", which reminds him of "Bonielli's speech of his cousin LaFayette".

Smith's intentions regarding Hafod views are "magnificent" and thinks if they are done well and limited in number they will sell well. Intends to have a small map of his grounds made which Smith may have for the work ["A tour to Hafod, in Cardiganshire" (1810)] .

[Dr Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] has "behaved vastly well indeed" and his patient, [Mariamne Johnes], is so improved Smith would not know her. Return to Hafod delayed in case Mariamne would be exhausted by the numbers who might come to her birthday. Calx muricata must be "an extraordinary good medicine"; Mariamne's recovery owed to it. Beddoes made a surprising cure of Dr Briggs, from Ceylon, who had lost 20 pounds of blood and given up on by London practitioners; Beddoes used 'Digitalis' in very small quantities and is to publish the case. Recommends Smith read "Memories of Modern Philosophers" 2, written by a woman.

News for Dryander to relate to the Linnean Society: consulted Sir Joseph Banks on propriety of the Society applying for a charter from the King [George III (1738-1820)], Banks thinks it would be favourably received; Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North] pleased by his nomination as an Honorary Member; Marquis of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill] requests that M. de Tremear's nomination certificate be withdrawn as he has returned to France for time being.

Pleased that Smith found new plants amongst the specimens Beattie sent, including 'Carices' [Carex] that previously frustrated Beattie. Doubts over 'Carex' negated. Queries the distinction between 'Carex micheliana' and 'Carex recurva'. Has recently found 'Mercurialis peren' with male and female flowers and 'Carex incurva' in the Links of Aberdeen, detailed observation of it and shall send specimens in all stages of growth. Lists habitats of 'Carex micheliana', 'Carex binervis', 'Carex levigata', 'Carex davalliana', 'Carex fulva', and 'Carex paniculata'. Asks whether Smith has decided on the 'Polypodium' Beattie called 'rhaticum'. Has caused a lichen like 'Lichen chrysophthalmos' to be sent to [James] Sowerby but it may be a variety of 'Lichen ciliaris'.

Dedicating his "Tour Through North Wales" to Smith, designed to aid future tourists. Proposes writing a popular book on Natural History ["Animal biology" ?]; his plan for the work; aimed chiefly at women; asks Smith's opinion.