No summary available.

Sending specimens: the 'Agaricus' he promised, agrees it is probably 'Agaricus quercinus' although does not agree well with description of [Jacob Christian ?] Schaeffer in Relham; 'Clavaria' which may be 'Clavaria pistillaris' or 'Clavaria ophioglossoides'; a posible 'Lichen globosus'; a 'Peziza'; and 'Epilobium ramosum' with an epiphyllous 'Lycoperdon' growing on it. Asks for advice on how to stuff birds, for two of his pupils interested in ornithology.

Sending fourth number of "[Botany of] New Holland"; since printing has ascertained 3 more species of 'Styphelia'. Acquisition of coins. Woodward's 'Ulva' paper read and respectfully received. Requests [John] Stackhouse's paper [on 'Fucus punctata']. [Samuel] Goodenough confined with gout. Received [Thomas] Velley's "fine work" ["Coloured figures of marine plants"]. Woodward correct about 'Fucus concatenatus' and 'F. foeniculaceus', Velley has also remarked on this.

His father has been severely ill with a swollen leg but now recovering; "he is a counsellor & friend we could ill have spared, independent of the attachment we all have for him". Occupied by his work on "Georgian insects", after which he will return to his "Flora [Britannica"]. [William] Curtis has figured a 'Goodenia laevigata', believes it is his 'G. albida'.

Sends copy of his book ["Coloured figures of marine plants" (1795)] for Linnean Society; "as the investigation of truth ought to be the great object of every inquiry" asks that Smith inform him of any errors apparent.

Thanks for extracted papers from "Linnean Transactions" and New Holland plants [Australia], immediately translated Smith's remarks on 'Sprengelia', it and the drawing to be published by the [Swedish] Academey [of Sciences]. Praises Smith's "Tour of the Continent". Smith's "Tentamen botanicum de filicum ..." is edifying and has thought the same as Smith in some instances in separation of 'Asplenium nodosum' from 'Asplenium'; 'Lindsaea' Dryand from 'Adianthum'; moving of 'Osmunda peltata' and 'Asplenium cicutarium' to their places; division of 'Trichomanis' into two with name 'Darea' being reinstated. Intends to keep Smith's name 'Hymenophyllum' for his "Flora Indiae", may leave out 'Schizaea'. Asks where Smith has placed 'Polypodium reticulatum' Linn and 'Meniscium' Schreb. Discussion of multiple species of 'Lichen'. Requests two copies of Smith's "New Holland Botany".

Thanks for seeds, wishes Smith could have delivered them in person. 'Embothrium buxifolium' healthy but does not exhibit any disposition to flower, would like to show Smith 'Lawsonia inermis'. Encloses specimen of unknown New South Wales plant of 'Didynammia' class. Hopes to see Smith in the winter.

Desires admission to the Linnean Society as an Associate.

Arrangements for visiting Smith. Parcel [from Dr Godfry Christian Reich of Germany] has arrived.

Sends books from Dr [Godfry Christian] Reich, explains discrepancies in contents.

Apologises for absence from Linnean Society meeting. Received from [William] Markwick [(1739-1813), naturalist] a 'Loxia curvirostra' for Linnean Society and attention of [John] Latham. Puzzled whether [James] Dickson's 'Carex' is new or 'Carex rigida'. Quotes [Edmund] Burke that "the age of chivalry is gone" otherwise he would certainly have fallen in love with Miss Charlotte Aynscombe [artist]. Hopes Smith is not affected by the "dreadful sharp weather" and that Smith, Latham, and [Thomas] Marsham will be able to visit him.

Mail coaches to Bungay. Enjoyed last number of "[Botany of] New Holland", particularly 'Eucalyptus' for curious construction of its flowers, and 'Styphelia', Mrs Woodward says the 'Mimosa' are "ugly". Asks for most recent copy of "Zoology [of New Holland]". Acquisition of coins. [John] Stackhouse to lend him a parcel of 'Fucus' specimens; Stackhouse's and [Thomas] Velley's publications. [Samuel] Goodenough has sketched a preface for their paper on 'Fucus' but he is "too speculative" in parts of his theory; notes on contents of the paper.

Fears Smith's father's illness is a "symptom of a breaking constitution". Smith's "Flora [Britannica]" "much looked for". Distress of the poor during this severe frost. Transcribes epigrams from Bacon's halfpence.

Received Smith's letter of 16 December, unfortunate timing as [Pierre Marie Auguste] Broussonet might then have travelled on the "Boston". Abbé Correa's [José Corrêa de Serra] friendship with Broussonet has caused him to be superseded in the previously promised position of public librarian, amongst other "mortifications". The emigrant Dukes of Luxembourg and Coigny took umbrage with Broussonet and applied to "the Council" to have him sent away. Explains that Portugal is under a "weak, irresolute though arbitrary" Prince [John (1767-1826) regent of Maria I, later João VI] surrounded by a "corrupt, ignorant, bigoted, intriguing court", laments confinement of Duke de Lafoens [John de Braganza, uncle of Maria I] who may have imposed some order. Is sure Mr Walpole would undertake Sir Joseph Banks recommendation in protecting Broussonet and obtaining leave for him to stay as long as convenient. However, knowing the the inconvenience he has caused Correa, Broussonet has resolved to leave for Gibraltar immediately, carrying a letter to Mr Pinto, the secretary of state; another from Mr Walpole, with his letter to General Rainsford, and the admiralty order. Anxious to hear of him, observes that "once a man's affairs get into a wrong train, it is often so difficult to set them right again". Ordered Smith's "Tour" as soon as he heard of it.

Thanks Smith for opinion on his manuscript [Velley's 'Remarks on the Nature and Propagation of marine Plants' for "Linnean Transactions"]. Discusses origin and use of the word "seeds" and his initial reluctance to apply it to marine plants, references [Carl Friedrich von] Gaertner [(1772-1850)] and discusses his own observations of 'Fucus' and 'Confervae'. Wishes to forward to Smith parts of a collection of exotic duplicates he has lately received.

No summary available.

[It is probable that this letter was never sent as it bears no date, valediction, signature or address, appears unfinished, and from references in other letters to a long letter started in January but not sent.]

Currently suffering poor physical and mental health after discovering that a large part of his herbarium has been spoiled by damp though his recent acquisitions escaped, including wild specimen of 'Daphne alpina' Haller "Historia stirpium" no.1026. Reminiscences at length on his life, including his first introduction to botany move to Switzerland following father's death, introduction to Smith and increasing passion for the subject, limitations imposed by decreased patrimony, becoming a recluse, and marrying despite intending to remain single; has been unable to botanise in Alps since that time due to becoming a father, also preventing him from publishing his work and legal troubles with his wife's brother. Describes his son and daughter and fears for their future as they are strangers in both the country of their birth and native land of their father and "the desolation of the times in which we live is fit also to inspire melancholy", thinks England is "running headlong into ruin". Disastrous wars have doubled the price of everything and a famine was only narrowly avoided by an abundant potato crop and Turin rice; the armies on the Rhine and a collusion founded on private interest on part of Balsois to supply neighbouring French with grain disrupted the Swiss' usual provision from Suabia.

Responds to Smith's letter of 26 September 1794: would like to know his opinion of the 'Carex' he sent; sent seed of 'Digitalis' and 'Verbascum nigrum'; the 'Biscutella' specimen and seed he sent Smith originally came from seed from Moscow Hort. Demidof.; 'Saxifraga mutata'; plunging temperatures made him fear for his 'Morina'; Rhine armies and cold weather have pushed wolves into areas of human habitation; account of his discovery of 'Cyathea montana' on Mount Suchet for first time in the Jura, hopes this mountain and Davall's stock of books will tempt Smith to visit as well as plants 'Saxifragus hirculus' and 'Carex leporina' Linnaeus, 'Orchis abortiva', and 'Orchis coriophora'.

Reports death of [Jean Baptiste François] Bulliard [(1752-1793)] who did "so much in the Fungi"; an error in his plate 333 'Crataegus oxyacantha' fig A should be 'Prunus spinosa' fig B 'Crataegus monogyna' Jacquin. Still unable to forward Smith's parcel to [Jacques] Dorthes in Montpellier due to total annihilation of commerce at Geneva. Received [James] Dickson's outline for a greenhouse but needs fully detailed plans, there being no similar structures in Switzerland. Enjoying Smith's "Tour" though confesses he has never read any Rousseau, his eyes being weak from the smallpox and having lived in such seclusion has focused on visiting Nature rather than reading; remarks and opinions on page references Smith gave him from "Tour".

No summary available.

Plans to accept [Thomas] Marsham's invitation to dine with Smith and others. Offered MD diploma by Dr [Godfry Christian] Reich as part of his membership of Imperialis Academia Naturae Curiosorum, [Erlang, Germany]; asks Smith and Dr Simmons to sign the certificate in his support.

Arrangements for [Charles] Bryant [(d 1799)] to be paid for the collection of grasses Bryant is sending [Samuel] Goodenough. He has corresponded with Goodenough on Linnaeus' 'Carex actua', they have found it is his 'C. stricata'; observations. Condolences to Smith on death of François [Borone].

Condolences on death of [François] Borone. Brief account of [Thomas] Rackett, [Charles] Hatchett [(1765-1847) chemist], and [William George] Maton's tour of Cornwall and Somerset. Thanks Smith for naming 'Pultenaea' for him, asks if figures of the species could be published in "Linnean Transactions". Sending copy of his catalogue of Leicestershire plants.

[Copy or draft]

Thanks for copy of "Icones plantarum". Sending a "trifle" from his "youthful days".