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Encloses generic description of 'Afzelia' [extant]. Studied the 'Brownea' and found they consitute a whole family; Linnaeus took the genus up from Jacquin, Jacquin's first plant different species from Loesling's, among his African plants there are 3 genera belonging to 'Brownea' family, [William] Roxburgh's 'Jonesia' and Aublet's 'Eperica' also belong to it; queries for Smith to follow up.

[Note in Smith's hand detailing his reply] will soon publish essential characters of 'Afzelia' with some other genera in a pamphlet.

Description of 'Afzelia' [in Latin, 4 pp]

Happiness at hearing of marriage of Smith's "amiable young friend". Regret at Smith having removed to Norwich. Relates his summer excursions in Carlingford Bay, Ireland, where he encountered naturalised 'Antirrhinum cymbalaria' and 'Veronica decussata' growing profusely, before sailing to Portpatrick, Scotland. Description of the countryside, including ruins of Castle Kennedy. Travelled onto Glasgow via Culzean Castle, with a description of its setting, and remarks on improvements to Glasgow, return journey to Portpatrick including mountains and plantations. Concludes that August is a bad month for botany, nonetheless found a profusion of 'Parnassia', 'Campanula rotundifolia' covers the fields, missed 'Rhodiola rosea' in Portpatrick. Stayed with Lord Clanbrassil [James Hamilton (1730-1798) 2nd Earl of Clanbrassil] in Dandalk, Ireland, description of his house and grounds, "a great amateur". Congratulates Smith on five plates in [William Curtis'] "Botanical Magazine". Asks whether it is worth subscribing to [Robert John] Thornton's [(c 1768-1837), physician and writer on botany] work. Asks if publication of Andrew's "Ericas" goes on. Saw a 'Phalana' from Virginia at Glasgow that may have been taken for a 'Papilio', reminded him of Smith on insects of North America, and in the "Nat. Miscel." as 'Luna'. Asks if Smith's "Flora" is to be an improved edition of Hudson ["Flora Anglica"]. [Walter] Wade satisfied with 'Hillarney', asks if the enclosed specimen [extant] is '[Hymenophyllum tunbridgense]'. Believes the "invasion" to be a "villainous state trick" [probably General Hoche's attempt in December 1796 to invade at Bantry Bay, Ireland].

Specimen of ['Hymenophyllum tunbridgense'].

Alarmed at the state of growing unrest in Ireland. Comments on reports published by a secret committee of both Houses of Parliament and the "great ability and contrivance shown by the conspirators". Fearful of consequences of a successful French invasion. An unusually cold spring has prevented him from botanising. Disappointed to not get the benefit of Smith's recent lectures. [Walter] Wade will repay Smith soon. Would like to see Smith's 'Lepidopteros' insects but the cost of travelling is very high because of the domestic situation, hopes Smith will give the etymology of the terminology in his study. Believes Smith's friend Johns will have a "magnificent fund of entertainment" in studying shells, remarks that the collection of [Charles Alexandre de] Calonne [(1734-1802) French statesman] probably arose "more from ostentation than taste".

Presumes Smith returned sometime ago from his trip to Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire. Has brought a few of the halfpence Smith was desirous of, has heard that they are made in Birmingham, Warwickshire, in sets. Has not yet seen third volume of "Linnean Transactions". Dublin Botanic Garden "goes on famously" but still no head gardener appointed. Disappointed by lack of natural history and botany in Sir George Staunton's "Voyage", believes he may have been restrained by political motives. Encloses a 'Fumaria' he believes is the one in "English Botany". Assumes Smith has postponed publication of the second volume of his "Tour".

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Received Smith's letter of 19 [May 1797]; glad specimens reached him. Congratulates Smith on his move to Norwich and his marriage. Feels his advancing age; offers to bequeath his herbarium to Smith. News of Dr Woolcombe and Mr McRitchie. Rejoices at prosperity of Linnean Society and success of "Linnean Transactions".

Thanks for Smith's letter of 18 June [1797]; gratified by Smith's acceptance of offer of his herbarium on his death. Recently visited Fife, Dumfermline; account of a gelatinous marine plant. Satisfaction at "Linnean Transactions" and papers on 'Fucus' and 'Carex' in third and second volumes. Encloses specimens from Mrs Roget [extant]. Smith's description of [Nicholas] Gwyn makes him think of "some majestic oak" now mouldering away. All in expectation of Smith's "Flora Britannica". Supposes his Scottish 'Silene amoena' and the Welsh are the same.

Two specimens, labelled by Smith "'Orobus tuberosa' narrow leaved" and "'Valeriana rubra' dwarf".

His Highland tour cancelled due to bad weather. Account of the harvest, which is progressing well; agricultural unrest. Intends to send a paper on the original breed of black cattle.

Thanks for election as F.M.L.S.; sends memoirs.

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His travels through Holland, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, intends to winter in Lausanne. Five days after embarking from Yarmouth, Norfolk, briefly taken prisoner by the Dutch and taken to Amsterdam along with Lord Berwick [Thomas Noel Hill (1770-1832) 2nd Baron Berwick of Attingham] and other passengers, but his baggage was spared and he was able see Holland which he would not have otherwise done. In Germany, where "they respect the Linnean Society", relates that [Georg Franz] Hoffmann, director of Göttingen Botanic Garden, has found undiscovered species in 'Jungermannia' and would like to send a paper on it to the Linnean Society but uneasy over the expense of drawings and plates, wonders if the Society would defray all or part of it. [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon has complained to [Johann Friedrich] Blumenbach and others that he sent the Society several valuable 'Cryptogamous' plants and not had them acknowledged in any way. Hoffman is intending to publish a new account of the genus 'Aster'.

At Bern, Switzerland, saw [Jacob Samuel] Wyttenbach who informed him that [Edmund] Davall is suffering from a paralytic affliction. In Switzerland has discovered a "very excellent and laborious botanist", [Johann Christoph] Schleicher [(1768-1834)], based at Bix. Unsure how long he will remain in Switzerland as his intentions of returning to England via the veterinary schools of France are hindered by the distant "prospect of a peace" with France. Friends are attempting to get him a passport, asks for assistance from Smith and Sir Joseph Banks in attempting to obtain a pass from the Directory [Executive Directory, body of five directors that held executive power in France, 1795-1799] as has been told that letters of recommendation from men of science hold more weight than from men in power.

Sending part one of his edition of "Species plantarum", apologises for deficiencies; reliant on his own herbarium, not having access to England's "well-endowed" herbariums.