Transcript of Smith's dedication of "Tour to Hafod" to Thomas Johnes, and preface.

Found JH's resolution of a biquadratic ingenious. AR used René Descartes's method of resolution, but found it less elegant. Discusses resolution of higher order quadratics.

No summary available.

Sends parcel from [George] Don. Error with Smith's new species 'Hieracium prenanthoides' in "English botany", confusion with 'H. denticulatum'; discusses in detail.

Confined with rheumatism since Christmas. Account of his tour of Scotland with his son last July: went at invitation of Duke of Gordon, it was his first time north of the Tweed river and they travelled 900 miles visiting Edinburgh, Sterling, Crieff, Perth, Brechin, Alexander Brodie's at the Burn purchased of Lord Adam Gordon, Aberdeen, Inverurie and Huntly to Gordon Castle, James Brodie's "bad old house", Inverness, the Highland Road, on which without servant and carriage they would have been "lost in difficulties", and Glasgow, before returning home via Carlisle, Keswick, Ambleside, and Lord Lonsdale's [William Lowther, 1st Earl Lonsdale (1757-1844)] new home at Lowther, "a gothic palace, & tho' only begun 2 years since is already inhabited by all the family", by architect [Robert] Smirke [(1780-1867)]. Intention of tour was "to gain new ideas of country & inhabitants, and refused all opportunity of sporting" and did not search for plants as his son is not a botanist. Brodie has botanic garden for British plants and went salmon fishing with him: where they are most plentiful is the worst for angling as "they are harrassed with nets night & day, & have no time to feed". The Duke [of Gordon's] fishery, on river Spey, is let for 6000 guineas per annum and is said make a fortune with 2000 fish taken in one day, saw the icehouses which are entirely above ground so the melted ice sinks into sand. Largest fish ever caught was at Aberdeen May 1762, weighing 63lb Dutch weight.

Smith's 'Glaucium fubrum' thriving with him. Amused to find that [Dawson] Turner's figure of '[Fucus] siliquosus' was copied from his own. [Thomas] Marsham has recovered his credit and sent Colonel Tindall of Scarborough, [Yorkshire], the microscopic objects he promised. Recently took a drop of mercury for an ailment, hopes to never have to again. Details of a new heating system installed for his workshops, which are extremely cold in winter. Treated lumbago and pain in his legs with calomel and opium, having received no benefit from his own nostrum and James's pills. When Smith goes to London requests him to bring the plants he asked Smith to name two years ago.

Collected 'Satyrium repens' and 'Pyrola secunda' in woods at Gordon Castle and Brodie gave him 'Eriocaulon'.

No summary available.

Believes the 'Parmelia' from St Leonard's Forest and common on beech trees is a distinct species, most resembles 'P. lavigata' and 'P. scortea'; differences and similarities. Observations on 'Lecidea synothea', sent [James] Sowerby specimen , also sending 'Lichen olivacens', and flowers of the Sussex elm. Corrections for "English botany": error in translation of vexillum; [Robert] Brown first discoverer of 'Lichen mentosus' in Britain, having found it in Aberdeenshire in 1794.

Thanks Smith for sending the willow-cuttings, especially 'Salix russelliana'. Sir Joseph Banks is "uncommonly well" after using a "French quack medicine" for gout, at the behest of Lord [George John] Spencer, called Eau Medicinale de d'Husson; short description of his relief after the first dose. Attests for efficacy of the medicine: Major [James] Rennell [(1742-1830), cartographer] and twenty others have all tried it with the same immediate relief, it is unknown from which plant it is derived. Death of [Henry] Cavendish [(1731-1810), natural philospher]; short obituary. Plans for altering and improving the Royal Institution have met with little opposition.

All students of botany here dismayed to be cut off from contact with British scholars. Has dedicated his new edition of Linnaeus' "Philosophia botanica" to the Linnean Society and is sending it via Hornemann of Copenhagen; currently unable to send his "Historia rei herbariae" (1807-1808).

Commends his friend, the son of Hagen of Königsberg, to Smith; wishes he could accompany him to Britain to study the treasures there. Requests news of Smith's studies and [Sir Joseph] Banks' old age.

Forwarded Smith's letter to George Don and [Pleasance] Smith's letter to Miss Casmajor. Informs Pleasance Smith he has read and profited from [John] Gay's [(1685-1732), poet and dramatist] "Fables". Hopes Smith fulfills his pledge of publishing fourth volume of "Flora Britannica" this spring. 'Hieracium murorum' growing in garden walls of Rose Castle, fears this information will be too late for Smith to publish and suggests including in Smith's next publication of Don's species. Cold weather has made his gout linger. An angry debate is coming up in Parliament; weary of party politics but this is preferable to Lord Grenville [William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville (1759-1834), prime minister 1806-1807] coming in with the "hungry, unprincipled fellows that must come in with him, both in Church & State". Pities Napoleon's new Austrian wife [Marie Louise of Austria (1791-1847), married 11 March 1810], "she is a good figure, it is said, & a fine shape, but her face is not handsome - rather short & wide" and fears for her happiness should she be infertile.

Just received Goodenough's letter about 'Avena alpina' and 'Arundo neglecta'; response. Would like to buy Schrader's "Flora Germanica". Observations on Goodenough's remarks on 'Hieracium' and 'Galium', confident he has all the nondescript and new ones described in "Flora Britannica". Thanks for seeds. Goodenough mistaken about 'Chironia' and 'Exacum'; observations. Has grown 'Pinguicula vulgaris', observations. Found 'Chironia centaurium', observed that it takes two seasons to vegetate.

Observations on enclosed specimens: 1-6. specimens of a 'Lichen' in every state of growth possible; further discussion of cryptogams.

Thanks for moss specimens; his 'Hypnum myosuroides' is 'H. curvatum'. If Smith and Mrs Smith ever travel north invites them to visit his "excellent house", built by himself and provides details of coaches.