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Requests specimens, presumably collected during Smith's northern tour, of 'Juncus spicatus', 'Juncus biglumis', 'Juncus triglumis', 'Gnaphalium supinum', 'Anthericum calyculatum', 'Salix lapponum', 'Polytrichum alpinum', 'Lichen polyphyllos', 'Polypodium rhoeticum', and a fructifying 'Lichen fasciularis', some are marked in pencil with a cross. Has sent a specimen of 'Lichen parellus' that may differ from Smith's. A list of plants he has found in the summer. Turnip crop in Norfolk devastated by black caterpillars, has been unable to find the fly that produces them, but [Eleazar] Albin's "A Natural History of the English Insects" relates how a similar blight in 1719 was caused by the 'Ichneumon' fly, which Bryant disputes. The only flies collected from the turnip fields are possibly the 'Tenthredo rosae', sends two specimens for Smith for information and asks which fly Albin's black caterpillar produces.

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Introduces Mr Cooper, who has left the Church of England to study physic. Asks if Dr [William] Cullen [(1710-1790), chemist and physician] proposes publishing another volume of his "First Lines [of the Practice of Physic" (1777-1784)]; asks after progress of Ferguson's ["History of the Progress and Termination of the Roman Republic" (1783)] and Dr [William] Robertson's [(1721-1793), historian and Church of Scotland minister] "History of America" [(1777)]. Comments on "savage" Bruno. Norwich news.

Received Smith's letter [of 31 December 1781]. Presumes Smith is developing his own "manners & carriage" from association with the genteel of Edinburgh. Congratulates Smith on his acquitting himself so well in dancing; they are relieved to hear he is not exhausting himself with study. Glad of Smith's acquaintance with [John Henry] Engelhart and that his other acquaintance [Lubbock] has improved. Norwich news, including recovery of health of Smith's sisters, Esther and Fanny.

Account of his journey occasioned by Tolson's "infamous conduct" [Tolson was apparently James Smith's journeyman]; difficulties of trade. Responds to Smith's letters of 22 January [1782] and 12 February [1782]. Amusements are part of Smith's education. Pleased by Smith's enquiries of his grandfather's last illness; opinions. Mr Matineau recommends Smith become a member of the Medical Society. Usefulness of Latin to compliment Smith's French and Italian.

Delighted at Smith's speaking at Medical Society; encouragement. Dr Martineau thinks it better Smith does not attend apothecary's shop where he intends to settle down and to go to London before taking his degree. Encourages Smith's mixing with genteel society to give him a "polish". His friends all impressed with Smith's letters. His current trade accounts. Hopes change in government and ending of wars with America and Europe will improve conditions. Fears for sugar trade. Norwich news and winter weather. Discusses change of Ministers. Progress of Smith's brother, Richard. Skillful business conduct of Smith's brother. The family's evening conduct. Defends his use of the "out of fashion term", "loving".

Pleased to hear of recovery in Smith's health and grateful he is inclined towards virtue. Patterson was previously wounded by a gentleman at Colchester who thought him too intimate with his wife, whilst apprentice to a surgeon. Their joy at Smith's Natural History Society. Approves of Smith's proposed Highland expedition. Smith much obliged to his aunt for introducing him to so many respectable friends and acquaintances. Warns Smith to take care of his heart "in the midst of so many agreeable young ladies". [William] Smith unaware of intention of Sheffield families to visit Norwich next year. Unable to visit Smith in Edinburgh this summer on account of business; details of this, including fears of Dutch invasion and his not desiring Smith's brothers to take on military careers. An influenza in London. Uncommonly cold and wet season, with flooded fields, so that people are anxious for grass crops for their cattle. Norwich news. Upturn in political situation.

May accompany Smith on a tour of Cumberland and Westmorland, "there is ever a degree of horror in the grand and majestic prospects of Nature in solitude". Glad both their spirits were better at their recent parting than on their first. Hopes for Smith's future career and success. Account of his journey from Halifax, [Yorkshire], to Norwich, including trip to the theatre, where Frank [Smith's brother] "first saw a Montebank on the stage", disappointed by Lichfield, [Staffordshire], expectations of Birmingham, [Warwickshire] exceeded, ascended [John] Wyclif's [(d.1384), English theologian and reformer] pulpit at Lutterworth, [Leicestershire]. Norwich news.

Received Smith's letter of 6 August [1782]. Surprised to find that Dr Walker is a divine and not a physician. They hope Smith will win [John Hope's] Gold Medal [for best Scottish herbarium]. Norwich news. Francis, [Smith's brother], has left with Charles [as cloth journeymen], received letter from Ixworth, [Suffolk]; John, [Smith's brother], does not have same business aptitude. Does not want Smith to become proud or self-important. Mr Cooper is coming to Edinburgh, may call on Smith's assistance. Mr Masham observed that the oak leaves did not appear this year till 44 days later than in 1779.

Received Smith's letters of 19 and 29 August [1782]. Reiterates comments about Mr Cooper's arrival in Edinburgh; his inattention and incivility. Francis, [Smith's brother], has returned [from journeyman duties], trade has fallen off alarmingly. News of Norfolk friends.

Mr Cooper. [John] Pitchford has a "quire of Botany" to send Smith. Anxious queries of whether Smith's residence at Sheffield, [Yorkshire], "produced or discovered" anything intimate; warns him against engaging his affections until seeing something of the world. Norwich news. They have had large "fire & sky rockets" made on Mousehold Hill to answer some at Lowestoft, [Suffolk], and Yarmouth, [Norfolk]; hopes they are not in danger from the enemy. Shambles of Tom Day's dinner for his election to office of sheriff.

Mr Morgan's "appeal to the public" in response to Brand's letter. Details of parcel being sent to Smith. Mr Cooper to look Smith out; an agreeable companion for Smith, warns Smith not to become so used to his acquaintances that he does not keep other company, like English travellers abroad. Long discussion of consequences of Morgan's appeal. Pleased with Smith's letter to Mrs Pitchford, thinks a correspondence with her will introduce a familiar and gay style to his letter writing, the French habit. Mr Nouaille thinks Richard [Smith's brother] should be encouraged in his skill for drawings and become an architect or surveyor. Smith's aunt Kindersley's translation of a French essay. They have not heard of Smith's cousin in India [Nathaniel Kindersley]. Norwich news.

Does not think botany is essential to medical education beyond knowing which plants are used in medicine. Botanical discoveries: Sir Joseph Banks and [Daniel] Solander call Smith's 'Lichen miniatus' 'L. deustus'; [James] Crowe and [James] Dickson found 30 new cryptogamic species in Norfolk including two 'Pezizas' and a Jungermannia called 'hypnoides'; [Henry] Bryant found Dillenius' 'Sphaerocephalus terrestris minimus'; [Robert] Stone of Bungay [(d 1829)] discovered 'Hydnum imbricatum' and 'Lycoperdon coliforme'; description of a 'Fungus pulverulentus [...]' Ray "Synopsis methodica" 28.12. Discussion of plants: has not seen 'Lichen pullus' or 'Fucus palmatus'; Crowe's 'Lichen horizaontalis'; mistook 'Lichen parellus' for 'Lichen pertusus'; discoveries of 'Helvella caryophyllaea', 'Lichen miniatus', 'Boletus lucidus'; hopes to send 'Agaricus quercinus', 'Agaricus betulinus', and 'Boletus fomentarius'. Young [Carl] Linnaeus [(1741-1783)] is in London, has stopped his publication plans on account of Banks' 40,000 discoveries [possibly Australian plants].

Thanks for specimens; disappointed in obtaining some of Smith's desiderata, but hopes to acquire 'Ophrys aranifera' and 'Genista pilosa' from [Thomas] Woodward, as well as 'Stratiotes aloides'. Hopes Smith is enjoying his time and excursions in Scotland. Obstinate remitting, intermitting fevers in Norwich not yielding to "the Bark"; they are using a red bark taken in a Spanish prize, said to be stronger than the common.

Discusses Norwich 'Lichen', including: 'L. tartareus', 'L. parellus', 'L. pertusus', 'L. ventosus', and 'L. gelidus'; queries meaning of word "testaceus". Believes 'Cynosurus caeruleus' and 'Fontinalis pennata' Smith sent are incorrectly named; suggests 'Festuca decumbens' and 'Hypnum complanatum', respectively. [James] Crowe has a valuable Yorkshire correspondent, Mr Alexander, who supplies many plants, including 'L. fluviatilis'. Recent acquisitions: 'Tremella nostoi' and 'Peziza acetabulum', Sir Thomas Cullum found possible 'L. nivalis'. Plant supposed to be 'Hydnum imbricatum' not so; notes.

Comments on Smith's remarks on Crowe's 'Elymus', which had also been confirmed by Sir Joseph Banks and young Linnaeus in London.