Replies to Pleasance's letter of 15 [April 1798]. Account of his journey to Oxford. Account of visit to Peter Collinson's [(1694-1768)] garden at Mill Hill, [Middlesex], with [Aylmer Bourke] and [Catherine] Lambert. Attended Mrs [Sarah] Siddon's [(1755-1831), actress] benefit with Mrs Lambert, "The Stranger" and "The Devil to Pay" were performed; his opinion. Arrangements for travelling to Hafod, [Cardiganshire, home of Thomas Johnes]. Opinion of others on the Welsh views. Home in June to meet Frederick and Emma [Smith's brother and sister-in-law].

[Letter incomplete: second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Preparations by Oxford academics in case of invasion. Account of his journey to Hafod [home of Thomas Johnes]. His patient, [Mariamne Johnes], not as well as expected; a lumbar abscess in her thigh. Glad Pleasance does not seem "really unhappy about the invasion"; he expects they will keep the country in suspense; trusts the Navy will prevent any landings.

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] appear to be missing, presumed destroyed]

Thanks Mrs Smith for turkey. Unable to recommend Bracy Clarke to the directors [Executive Directory, body of five directors that held executive power in France, 1795-1799] for obtaining a passport, but nevertheless admires his acquirements as a veterinary surgeon.

Has specimens of 'Poa bulbosa' from France, Syria and Switzerland but not England. Has compared his specimen of the 'viviperous' variation against two texts. Not sending his 'Clumae' as his specimens are foreign. Comments on grasses.

Fears that the packages from India he has sent by waggon may be damaged in transit. Detained in London by experiments with alloys at the Mint.

Has received a letter from [Pierre Marie Auguste] Broussonet in Tangier, [Morocco], and forwarded to Smith a parcel of specimens collected in Barbary by Broussonet. Is sending a collector to New South Wales, asks for any papers from "Linnean Transactions" on plants of the area. Has received letters from [Friedrich Conrad] Hornemann, who was intending to set out for the interior of Africa on 12 September, following difficulties with the French. Thanks Mrs Smith for turkeys.

Received letter from [William] Curtis as if taking leave; Frankland wrote him a local case of angina pectoris being cured by following Dr Fothergill's advice in the "Medical Observations" but Curtis thinks his disorder is not that.

Unable to find Curtis' misquotation of Morrison in 'Lobelia ursens' article from having copied [William] Hudson and note he does not quote Hudson at all for that plant. Agrees that Curtis wrong to criticise Smith's use of terminology useage for 'Sageria corastoides'. Pleased with Smith's progress on the "Flora" and thinks the size and number of volumes does not matter, finding no description objectionable for its length except [Adam Afzelius' paper on] "3 certain 'Trifolia' in "Linnean Transactions", highlights [Richard] Relhan's as being particularly gratifying.

Would prefer a Botany Bay genus to be named after himself though admits he has contributed nothing to the botanical world though he has many drawings of 'Confervae' which he has not published. Gathered 'Viola canina' in full flower this week; proof of mildness of weather. Unsatisfied with his understanding of elms and confused by the different English, Dutch, and Cornish names for the same species. Encloses elm leaves [not extant]: large leaf of English elm, also sent to him from Wiltshire as Dutch elm; a narrow leaf with smooth twigs corresponding with enclosed marked as "common English Elm" from Circencester, [Gloucestershire]; obervations on elm bark.

Encloses specimens of 'Cardamine hirsuta' and 'Cardamine flexuosa' that [William] Withering believes are distinct species. Long list of habitats of "uncommon" plants he has observed.

Corrects an error in his catalogue, 'Geranium phaeum' was found by Mr Severne of Aberly, Worcestershire, not Butt. Lord Valentia [George Annesley] disappointed not to see Smith on his return from Wales. Long list of habitats of plants found in northern England by Butt, including long description of 'Anchusa [officinalis]' with very rough sketch in pencil of the leaf, seeks Smith's opinion and offers to send specimen if required.

Sends specimens and notes by himself and [William] Withering of three genera of grasses, including 'Poa angustifolia', 'P. bulbosa', 'Festuca rubra', 'F. duriuscula', and 'Bromus diandrus', and others.

His daughter's health good. Requests Mr Crown's and Mr Hatchett's forenames. Poplars which came two days ago are now laid in the ground. His daughter [Mariamne Johnes] has benefited from prescribing herself "some vinous tincture of Rhubarb", though she complains of a pain in her right thigh which he supposes is caused by the stay pressing on a muscle. Material for coats.

Has begun work on a new road to join that from the [Devil's] Bridge. Todd [his gardener] has planted almost all their available trees, which now number almost 300,000, and they are now waiting on supply from Scotland, when the number will be close to a million. Weather "unkind and fluctuating, but always ending with wet". Regrets placement of his kitchen garden.

Received Smith's letter of 26 [January]. Impressed with the skills of Mr Williams, who has made an "excellent radical cure of Mrs Johnes toothache"; thinks he will be beneficial for the country. Pleased to hear of Johnson's "very handsome" behaviour towards Mr Enfield. Thanks for gift of "Bufris" fruit "very like an exceeding fine medlar"; asks for a good quantity of them and Mrs Johnes requests Norwich biscuits. The Cardigan salmon has been forwarded, and the cheese must be sent before March or April: it is ripened in ale, similar to how Cheshire cheeses are floated in brine, "for those that like mellow rotten cheese, it would be a treat". Mrs Smith's cordon finished.

Received seeds from Charlotte [his sister, in India], describes physical characteristics of one, the others only have their common names so impossible to name them. Expecting two hundred seeds from gardens of Zarsco Zelo [palace in Russia, near St Petersburg], including the "fine peonies that are in the "Flora Rossica"". Satisfied a plant he sent Smith advertisement of is from Russia. His daughter's health much the same. The poor are very sickly. High winds with rain, very changeable.

Mr Abernethy and Dr [David] Davies have been in attendance on his daughter, whose poor health has led them to to cancel their trip to Matlock, [Derbyshire]; hopes Smith and his wife will visit them here instead. Takes comfort in his friends and Smith.

His daughter [Mariamne Johnes] continues to be treated with blisters but they are causing more irritation than they should as Mr Williams is not attending them as he should, and she cannot wear the stays so cannot walk.

His anxiety over possibility of having to go to Ireland [Irish Rebellion of 1798] with his regiment, which offered to go without consulting him, an action he does not understand.

Still waiting to hear whether his regiment will go to Ireland, though as as the rebellion appears almost over hopes he will not have to. Expects Dr [David] Davies today for his daughter [Mariamne Johnes]; her blisters and general health "vastly well" but she has pains in her leg.

They now have much rain; "farmers are never satisfied". Has not yet read [Robert] Fellowe's [(1770-1847), philanthropist] book. Recommends Smith Smith read Lord Orford's [Horatio Walpole, 4th Earl of Orford (1717-1797)] correspondence; he will have "a great treat"; his opinion of them. Having just received his post finds that his regiment are preparing to embark for Ireland, but he cannot go for ten days and is much vexed.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 2 [July]. In great distress about his regiment: received letter from his Lieutenant-Colonel that out of 960 men only 300 would embark [for Ireland] and that out of the rest 200 mutinied on the march to Ormskirk, [Lancashire], at which point General Grinfield and garrison marched against them; many were in irons and tried by court martial but as yet does not know the result. Bad weather prevented several transports from making the crossing, and now after having commanded the regiment for 20 years must leave it disgraced, and blames vanity of Mr Ravenscroft for debacle for never sending him the proposal to go to Ireland to forward to the Duke [of York]. Confusion remains over whether the regiment will go or not.

Dr [David] Davies came last night; he thinks she [his daughter, Mariamne Johnes] is not worse. Recommends Smith read [Horatio] Walpole's [4th Earl of Orford (1717-1797)] correspondence.

No news on his regiment so his distress continues; hopeful that the detachment will be countermanded and that he will be able resign the first moment possible. Likes [Robert] Fellowe's [(1770-1847), philanthropist] book much, particulary on St Paul's epistles; has always regretted that the whole of "revealed religion was not simply confined to the four Gospels". The weather now very cold with heavy showers which is good for his turnips but not his hay. Received an excellent letter from Mr Galton mentioning Smith, will copy in his next letter.

Dr [David] Davies thinks his daughter [Mariamne Johnes] better; the tumour in her thigh has moved to under her stomach and now expects an abcess there; a young boy at Camarthen who also has curvature of the spine is to have a similar one opened today.

Still in Hafod, and as the rebellion [in Ireland] appears nearly finished intends to remain [his regiment had volunteered to tour there], and will try to resign without discredit. His daughter, Mariamne Johnes', health: Mr Abernethy writes that ascending of the tumour towards the belly is not as dangerous as its previous position; Johnes fears operation on similar tumour on a poor boy in Carmarthen has not been successful.

Transcribes extract from letter received from Mr Galton in which Galton states how he would like to see a "Tour of Wales" published by "so intelligent a man & so superior a Botanist as Dr Smith" and that with superior engravings the work would be a success, as "all the publications of [Thomas] Bewick's [(1753-1828), engraver and ornithologist] are instantly bought up & advance in value".

Daily expects Charlotte, [his sister], who has returned to England having "kicked down her bucket most foolishly indeed", so that it would not even "be believed in a Romance".

Recent visitors: Smith's friend Mr Gurney and family came here for breakfast yesterday; "he travels like a Patriarch with all his children". Mr More leaving today after only making two sketches; his inability to ride or walk prevented him from seeing all "our beauties". Missed seeing [John Peter] Laporte [(1761-1839), a "very fine drawer", who was in the grounds. [Richard] Warner [(1763-1857), antiquary] visited for a day; "he publishes as rapidly as he walks". His daughter [Mariamne Johnes] continues "much the same".

Received Smith's letter and enclosure of [Casper von] Voght's letter to Smith; his prices for wine are very satisfactory. Sorry Mr Gurney made so short a stay as he liked him and his family very much. Dr [James] Anderson's health very indifferent. Received a "very handsome" letter from [Thomas] Pennant enclosing one to Anderson. [Richard] Warner [(1763-1857), antiquary] as "rapid a publisher as he is a walker" and expects an account of his summer travels next spring [he visited Hafod], though did not like the company he brought with him. Advises Smith to hasten publication of his own "Tour" in case he is forestalled.

Many of his Russian seeds have come up. They have had finest harvest weather possible but fears incoming rain, hopes it clears before [Richard Payne] Knight [(1750-1824), classicist] visit, who has just lost his mother. Also expecting [Charles Howard, 11th] Duke of Norfolk [(1746-1815)] shortly. His "poor girl" [daughter, Mariamne Johnes] goes on "much as usual", and Dr [David] Davies and Mr Williams think her general health recovered: her back is flatter but tumour remains and she cannot walk in spite of constantly wearing Jones' machine and though they hear of many recovering "we seem to stand still". Fears French gaining "a foothold in Ireland". Asks if Smith has read [William] Eton's "Survey of Turkey", which has greatly amused him, "what rascals they must be!".