Correction of his Latin used in his description of 'Carex axillaris' [for his paper 'Observations on the British Species of Carex']. Unsure if he can see Smith at Kew on Wednesday. Further details of a letter previously sent but apparently lost. Sorry to hear that the Queen [Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III] has been so "[un]impressed" [by Smith's remarks on the French Queen, Marie Antoinette, in his "Sketch of a Tour on the Continent"]; "Kings & Queens naturally like to have the cause of Kings & Queens be praised". Another letter containing a draft for money has also been lost; informed that his postman is "drunk daily" but dares not have him turned out as he has eight children to feed. Promises Smith the lost letter did not contain any critique of his work, only pointed out passages for praise or those which might be taken amiss.

Returns Smith's manuscript.

Polemic by Smith, "People of England! Beware of Wolves in Sheep's Cloathing!" [extant], refuting attempts by others equating political situation in Britain to that of pre-Revolutionary France, dated November 1792.

Recently met Smith's German friends [Caspar von] Voght, Wattenbach, and Smeisser; disappointed that the latter has already claimed discovery of new species of earth in the spar from Strontian in two publications; long statement of his own claims to its discovery. Informed that [William] Withering is to publish new edition of his "Botanical arrangement", will supply him with Scottish plants. Need for a new and enlarged edition of "Flora Scotia", now that Lightfoot's is becoming scarce, and [James[ Dickson has enabled a cryptogamic addition. Asks Smith's opinion of [Joseph] Trapp's proposed translation of [Dietrich Heinrich] Stoever's "Life of Linnaeus".

Encloses copies of a chemical paper he previously alluded to. Thanks Smith for acquitting Schmeisser of the charges he imagined against him [see RelatedMaterial below]. His enjoyment of Smith's "Tour of the continent" and its account of their friend, [William] Younge; thinks Smith may have been more sparing of his "coronal abuse". Notes Smith's entomological studies must be novel to him. Pleased to hear Smith is working on a "Flora Britannica". Asks after English copies of Smith's paper on ferns for Turin Academy. Observed that air effects cause 'Peziza cyathoides' to "discharge its semen".

Read Smith's "Tour"; never met with a book of the kind "so interesting & entertaining"; agreed with all of Smith's politics and has never seen the liberal passage of vol 3 p.145 [on "power combined with cruelty"] exceeded by any author. Examined punctuation of "Hortus Kewensis" and compared it with "Philosophia botanica", with which it "accurately agrees", but cannot approve it as it is contrary to all other authors and rules of punctuation, and cannot understand for what reason Linnaeus would invert the order of the comma and colon. Requests Sierra Leone coins.

Reassures Smith that he reads all of his works. A "moderate person" could not find fault with politics of Smith's "Tour"; surprised at [Thomas] Marsham's violent criticism. Relieved to hear of [Samuel] Goodenough from Smith; their work together on 'Fucus'. Received a proposal for publishing a "Life of Linnaeus", to be dedicated to Linnean Society and written by [Joseph] Trapp; his concerns. Asks Smith to procure Sierra Leone coins from [Adam] Afzelius. Received call from Smith's brother, John.

Reread Smith's "Tour"; his criticisms, intended for use in a second edition. Picks out particular points for praise over two pages, remaining two pages contain corrections, additions, and substitutions.

Smith's "Tour" "highly spoken of" in both the "Analytical Review" and "British Critic Review", the former speaking more advantageously of it, his comment that an attack on [Samuel] Johnson [(1709-1784), writer] and [Edmund] Burke [(1730-1797), politician] would be considered "little short of treason" is true. Requests Smith and [Samuel] Goodenough to examine 'Fucus elongatus' Linnaeus, for their paper on the genus; his own observations. Sent Goodenough probable specimen of 'Fucus corallinus' of "Flora Danica", though he believes it is a variety of 'F. parpucascens'.

Concerned at fate of letters he sent to Smith and [Samuel] Goodenough under direction of [Thomas] Marsham. Received from [Lilly] Wigg [(1749-1828), botanist] a curious new 'Ulva' from the Mediterranean, like 'Fucus lorens'.

Heard that Smith was at [Nicholas Gwyn's] in Ipswich, [Suffolk], before coming to Norwich for his lectures. Glad Smith's lectures are likely to be "handsomely attended". Keen to see [James] Crowe's 'Cerastium'; Smith justly observes it cannot be a hybrid of 'C. aquaticum' and 'Stellaria nemorum'. Unable to send [James] Sowerby 'Trifolium suffocatum' or ['Potamogeton compressus'] again. Sends specimen from Mr Burroughs of Stratton of new 'Vicia' gathered at Alderburgh, [Suffolk], though he thinks it 'V. lutea'; observations. Notes on the 'Ulva' he will bring Smith; wants to reform the genus. Thinks he has 'Mentha exigua' Linnaeus growing in his garden from root of 'M. pulegium' [Smith has annotated "not so JES"].

Thanks for Smith's permission to consult the Linnaean herbarium in his absence, which he will use to examine 'Fucus' specimens. Reassures Smith he will be too busy for any "gallantry" with the maids, who were not chosen, "as single men's maids sometimes are for their superior beauty". Sends paper he has drawn up on genus 'Ulva', including description of new species 'U. decorticata', for Smith's opinion; notes on its contents.

As Smith now a "great collector of coins" asks him to acquire Sheffield coins from Dr [William] Younge. If Smith's brother goes to America wishes him success; discusses coins from the north of England. Asks after Smith's publications "[Specimen of the botany of ] New Holland", "Spicilegium botanicum", and "Flora Britannica". Asks if he could acquire remaining Bulliard plates ["Histoire des champignons"] through [Edmund] Davall. Asks after specimen of 'Atriplex laciniata'. Mr Windham requests visit from Smith.

Thanks for use of Smith's house and library. He and Dr [William] Younge went to Drury Lane and saw "Ladoisha", "the most extraordinary piece of machinery" he ever saw on any stage. Visited [William] Withering in Birmingham; his house and its environs; Withering's precarious health, suffering violent attacks to this lungs and spitting blood; if he survives the winter interested by Dr [Thomas] Beddoes' [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] "aerial process"; coins.

Has left specimen of 'Bromus diandrus' and seeds and specimen of Portuguese grass, since found to be 'Andropogon hirtum', from Withering. Notes from his study of the Linnaean 'Fucus' specimens; made some pencil notes on the different species. Thanks Smith's servants.

Queries on his 'Ulva' paper for Smith to resolve. Arrangements for visit by [James] Sowerby and commissions for drawing 'Fucus' species. Received [Samuel] Goodenough's articles for their paper on 'Fucus', which he generally praises, except that his Latin can run into the "oratorical style"; further notes on composition and contents of their paper. Can acquire coins for Smith. Asks if plan respecting Smith's brother, John, [to emigrate to America] is arranged, after seeing report that some people of large fortune who emigrated from Birmingham have been taken prisoner by a French frigate during their passage.

Returns final revision of his 'Ulva' paper; notes on additions, composition, and contents, including figures. [William] Withering informs him that 'Tamarisca gallica' grows plentifully in the hedges at Lizard Point, Cornwall.

Sends new Bungay halfpenny for Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)] Keen to know fate of his paper on 'Ulva', and whether Smith thinks 'Fucus foeniculaceus' of Linnaean herbarium is really 'F. concatenatus' of the British authors, and 'F. concatenatus' of the herbarium is a different plant.

Has opened a correspondence with [John] Stackhouse, who intends to publish on marine plants; transcribes a postscript from one of Stackhouse's letters in which he offers to the Linnean Society a specimen and description of new 'Ulva' found at Weymouth, [Devon]; desires to become FLS. Observations on Stackhouse's new 'Ulva punctata'. Stackhouse's anxiety that his [Woodward] and Goodenough's work will supersede his own. Strongly recommends admitting Stackhouse to Linnean Society. Received drawing and description of 'Fucus tomentosa' for his and Goodenough's paper on 'Fucus'.

Received Smith's letters of 25 [April] and 2 May. Mrs Johnes grateful for copy of "New Holland Flora" [Smith's "A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland" (1793)]. Sending seeds of 'Dombeya' to Hafod, [Cardiganshire]. Has enquired after the 'Pultenaea' but fears getting it to Smith as he wishes. Accepts Smith's invitation to join Linnean Society, having previously felt too ignorant to request it for himself. His opinion on a court scandal involving Smith and de Lue, who acted with "illiberal & bigotted servile conduct" towards Smith. Liston safely arrived in Vienna and hopes he has made acquaintance with [Nikolaus von] Jacquin as desired. His family looking forward to seeing Smith.

Thanks for Smith's letter about sale of Lord Bute's collections [John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute (1713-1792)]; he intended to be a large purchaser but circumstances prevent him, so Sir Joseph [Banks] need not fear him. Admiration of Banks. In London soon on "message of the King's about all these Societies"; invites Smith to breakfast so they can become acquainted. His work on [Jean] Froissart [(c 1337-1405), French chronicler] had been progressing well.

His 'Walteriana' dead, killed gardener attempting to lay it. The plant called "Wana Ta", by the person who gave them the seed, is in fact a creeper and none of the seeds Smith sent of it have germinated, encloses leaf of the plant [extant]. Encloses list of medicines [not extant] for Smith to order from Mr Wilson and have sent from London to Aberystwyth, by sea.

Has returned hom from his regiment to ensure all workmen are out before Smith's visit. Intense hot weather: his dry and can no longer be proud of his cascades. Progress of his work on [Jean] Froissart [(c 1337-1405), French chronicler]. Dr [James] Anderson's "capital improvements" for canals; persuaded him to patent some of them as he was also the author of the patent stove but did not get any thanks as Brodie took a patent out for it and Anderson was too liberal and indolent to fight for money. 'Dombeya' doing well.

Smith has outlined his reply on recto of second folio: asks if Johnes is home in September, as he is lecturing till 18 or 20 August and could be detained longer, and asks "of Fraser's 'Monandrous' plant".

Specimen of a leaf, [Smith annotation on label : "'Bigonia'?"].

Thanks for Smith's letter of 15 [July]. In residence until end of September when he returns to his regiment. Content to stay at home and try to make his "poor neighbours happier & if possible better" whilst his old schoolfriend, [William] Windham [(1750-1810), politician], whose politics have altered much since then enters "on such a stormy sea". Quotes [Jean] Froissart [(c 1337-1405), French chronicler], in French, on historical point regarding King Edward and homage paid by John, Earl Montfort, for Duchy of Brittany.

Pleased Smith has "roused such a spirit for Botany" and thinks it will have a good effect, "for whoever applies in earnest to the study of nature, must feel his heart expand". Not surprised by what Smith says of the knowledge among the "higher ranks of men in trade"; their minds are accustomed to speculation, so as their "fortune increases, that speculation is diverted to other objects", as opposed to the "country squire", a "most despicable animal".

Announces discovery of a "very fine Chalibat spring" [Chalybeate Spring in Tunbridge Wells, Kent] near to the Devil's Bridge, four miles from Hafod, which convinces him more that "this country is not known". All other springs but this have dried up in the great heat. The gardener cannot find the plant Fraser mentions.