Received Smith's letter of 14 [September]. Yet to hear satisfactory answer about his bottles of wine: he used to import all his French wines and finds it strange that wines from Hamburg should be excepted, though the duty of 4 shillings per dozen is a prohibition except to "very extravagant fellows like myself". His daughter [Mariamne Johnes] thanks Smith for the biscuits; her health is the same but Mr Jones thinks her tumour is much reduced, though she cannot walk. Visits by Mr Galton, [Richard Payne] Knight [(1750-1824), classicist] and [Charles Howard, 11th] Duke of Norfolk [(1746-1815)] prove "that assessed taxes and all the associations armed or unarmed do not keep people at home".

Asks if Smith has seen article in the "Philosophical Magazine" on germination of old seeds with oxygenated muriatic acid; [Nikolaus] Jacquin of Vienna has made germ seeds of 100 and 120 years old. Intends to try it himself this spring and asks Smith to inquire of his chemical friends about making it cheap enough for "us common farmers to besprinkle our turnip seeds" as he believes it would prevent fly and slug. Ponders on the possibility of it being applied to humans in conjunction with article in another magazine in which a French man states he can make people live to the age of the patriarchs.

Thanks for Smith's letter and wishes him success in his application to Mr Gurney. His daughter [Mariamne Johnes] "vastly well" and improving daily. Severe south-westerley wind has blown the tiles off part of roof but has succeeded in making his library and other parts of the house warmer. His daughter seems improved in mind as well as body.

Relates facts and circumstances in case of a void legacy concerning Mr Norton, [Nathaniel] Kindersley, and Mr Harpur. Account of his tour through the north of England. [Adam] Afzelius to visit Smith in Norwich, [Norfolk]. Lack of papers at the Linnean Society; a motion passed not to publish "Linnean Transactions" until the first meeting after the summer recess.

Read Smith's paper at last Linnean Society meeting to a "numerous audience", and never meets with less than 30 on a general night now, still short of papers for next meeting. Asks Smith's intentions for coming to London. Death of [Thomas] Pennant; thinks it a "shame" that none of his works were presented to the Society. Recently afflicted with "a severe fit of the stone". Requests description of 'Scarabaeus conspurcatus' if in Linnaean collections to clear confusion over it, and a magnified sketch by Mrs [Pleasance] Smith or one of his sisters. Criticises preface of Paykull's "Fauna Suecica", intends to attack both him and Fabricius in his own [for "Entomologia Britannica" (1802)].

Thanks for Smith's description of 'Scarabaeus conspurcatus', also requests its measurements. Sorry to hear Smith suffers so much with his health, and thanks Smith for recommendation of "Mephitie water" [for his kidney stones], which he took with some success in 1794, but is now suffering from them again. Confirms death of [Thomas] Pennant.

Glad that Smith has received "Hindoostan" [volumes one and two of "Outlines of the Globe"]. Complains of unfair treatment from the Linnean Society in their censuring him for profiting from his publications. Defends himself: states that he has never made a profit on his books, and has always kept back twenty copies of each run to gift; explains his finances; requests Smith to accept his voluntary resignation from the Society. His son David commanding corps of 100 men from the two parishes of their estate.

Thanks for Smith's "Tracts of Natural History", especially pleased with the account of [Conrad] Gesner [(1516-1565) Swiss naturalist]; discusses Gerard's death. Taking foxglove ['Digitalis'] for his anascara. Was introduced to Mrs Kindersley [a relation of Smith's] the last time he was at Bath, [Somersert]. Asks if Smith knows anyone who can give an account of the colours used in "Hindostan paintings", specifically if any are chemical.

Preparing a "Hindoostan" supplement [to volumes one and two of "Outlines of the Globe"] for publication in spring. Asks for an account of the Norwich shawl industry including materials and wools used.

Thanks Smith and [John] Harvey, [of Norwich, presumably for information on shawl industry]. Received news from the Lieutenant of [HMS] Canada of the victory at Lough Swilly, [Ireland, British defeat of a French fleet carrying members of the United Irishmen, plus troops, to assist in 1798 Irish rebellion against British rule]. Taking treatment of broom infused in gin for his anascara, description of its effect. Encloses extract from his intended "Hindoostan" supplement [to volumes one and two of "Outlines of the Globe"], "Of the shawl wool" [folio number 8.59].

A discharge from his leg has relieved his discomfort [from anascara]. Comments and questions on wool-bearing animals with references to his "History of quadrupeds" and "Arctic zoology", including: musk-ox; argali; broad tailed sheep; bearded sheep; caramanick sheep; Angora goat; shawl goat of Tibet, heard that Lord Egremont sells them [George O'Brien Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont (1751-1837)]; camel; llama; and vicunna [vicugna].

No summary available.

No summary available.

Thanks for Welsh plant specimens. Does not doubt that 'Adiantum' is a different species; will preserve specimen of 'Pelargoniam' for Smith; thanks for specimen of 'S. albidna'. Death of Dr [Nicholas] Gwyn.

Notes publication of Smith's "Tracts"; reminds Smith of his request to always have one of the first impressions of his works.

Introduces himself; his acquaintance with Smith's brother, J F Smith of Wakefield. Lists habitats of rarer plants not yet figured in "English botany", found in Yorkshire: 'Saxifraga umbrosa'; 'Saxifraga granulata'; 'Carduus helenioides'; 'Cistus heleanthemum'; 'Sedum telephium'; 'Rhodiola rosea'; 'Saxifraga oppositifolia'; 'Butomus umbellatus'; 'Veronica sentellata'; 'Spergula nodosa'; 'Blechnum spicant'; 'Plantago coronopus'; 'Hippuris vulgaris'; 'Malva moschata'; 'Hypericum humifusum', 'Antirrhinum spurium' and 'Antirrhinum elatine'. Will send specimens of 'Saxifraga umbrosa' when next in Yorkshire and any other rare plants he encounters.

As he only started studying botany two years ago asks how to ascertain the legitimacy of location of plants, referring to article in "Gentleman's Magazine" of October 1796 which he finds insufficient. Just found 'Vinca minor' and 'Helleborus foetidus'.

Apologises for not being able to send Yorkshire specimens of 'Saxifraga umbrosa', 'Carduus helenioides', and 'Rhodiola rosea'. Smith's "obliging letter" has led him to be so much more attentive to study of botany that he is to embark on a botanical excursion to Wales. Requests directions on procuring and preserving Lichens. Ponders the propriety of calling on Welsh botanists without formal introduction; would especially like to meet [John Wynne] Griffith [(1763-1834)] of Garn, Denbighshire.

Last wrote by Mr Brown, surgeon of the Albion, in December; hopes Smith received the seeds, specimens, and insects. Arrived at the Cape a few days ago; sending his son, George, to England under care of a surgeon from Bengal Establishment. Requests Smith's assistance in getting his son, William [(fl 1780s-1810)], who has been studying in Edinburgh, a place as a writer in Bengal Establishment, otherwise to have him appointed his botanical assistant; would write to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert on subject but does not have an introduction.

His health suffered during the voyage but now feels recovered; intends to remain 6 or 8 months, or until William and his sister arrive. Sends box of insects, including many 'Phalena paphia', which yields a large quantity of strong silk, as Smith will see by the cocoons he has sent Sir Joseph Banks, and another species of 'Phalena', the caterpillars of which live on leaves of 'Palma christi', observations on its silk; has written an account on both but yet to publish. Also sends specimens of nutmeg in spirits.

Sending live collection of his mints ['Mentha']; planting and care instructions. Plates and letterpress of his work ["Menthae Britannicae"] almost finished printing, expects it to be published by 1 June.

Numbered list of the mints, in three orders: 'Mentha spicata', 'M. capitata', and 'M. verticillata', 26 specimens in total.

Corrections to several names in the collection of dried mints he sent 1796. Regards to [John] Pitchford.

Additional correction on small separate note.

Sending copies of his book ["Menthae Britannicae"] for Smith and [John] Pitchford; welcomes any observations. Unfortunately he received Smith's kind letter of previous year too late for him to alter any names. Hopes the mints ['Mentha'] he sent Smith are growing well; state of his own. Has sent for the Linnean Society's book of specimens to adjust and rectify them according to his new arrangements; alterations to names of his own collection of dried mints he previously sent Smith.

Comments on price of his book, a "rather hazardous publication". Defends his plates against accusations that they are only varities, insisting that they are permanent varities, having kept their distinction for 25 years.

Informs Smith he is "not quite implacable" on account of Smith's critique in preface to seventh volume of "English botany", and that he is not "intemperately [...] friendly to reform"; wishes Smith had kept him a little more detached "from the furious reformers of Germany, whose zeal has carried them to adopt measures which can never be defended". His only statement on subject is that it renders "the business of investigation more easy", for sake of the ladies who "cannot fail to be shocked at the abominable & indelicate idea of the females riding the males".

Encloses specimen of "fungi parvi globosi" of "English botany"; observations. Asks that Smith delay figuring English 'Drosera' until he has sent specimens as he believes there are 5 species of that genus in the country. Encloses two Portugeuse species of 'Trifolium'; one may be 'T. angustifolium' [Smith annotation: "HL"] and the other belongs to subdivision of 'T. venicaria', if new suggests name 'T. umbellatum' [Smith annotation: "'resupinatum' HL"]; observations. In great hopes that 'Bromus diandrus' will prove valuable addition to agriculture, providing a much needed pasture in late March, though uncertain of expense of tillage; will send seed to any farming friend of Smith's.

Thanks for Smith's praise of his "Botanical Arranagement" and for the "many corrections which it owes to [Smith's] superior knowledge". Thanks for invitation to Norwich, but his health complaints do not allow him to travel, hopes Smith will visit him instead. "The very flourishing state of the Linn[ean] Soc[iety] must be highly flattering to its Founder".