Richard Pulteney, Blandford, [Dorset], to James Edward Smith, 12 Great Marlborough Street, [London]

Compliments Smith's "Tour of the Continent". Received New Holland [Australian] plants from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, one has been named after him ['Pultenaea']. Noticed Smith's restoration of synonyms of 'Pinguicula'. If his paper is being printed in "Linnean Transactions"[presumably "History and description of a minute epiphyllous Lycoperdon"] asks to add [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon's 'Aeidium anemones' of [Johann] Gmelin ["Systema naturae"] p.1473. Anxious for L'Héritier's safety. Has [Heinrich] Tode's "Fungi [Mecklenburgenses]"

Richard Pulteney, Blandford, [Dorset], to James Edward Smith, 12 [Great] Marlborough Street, London

Praises Gaetner's book [De fructibus et seminibus plantarum (1788-1805)], but feels "somewhat repugnant" to any attempt of forming a system on his principles. Thanks for attempts of Smith and others for their praise of his book ["Sketches of the progress of botany" (1790)] but concedes it will be of interest only to curiosity of young botanists and men of general reading. Requests remainder of L'Héritier's works as they appear in Britain though fears revolutions and politics of France will hinder the author. Requests copy of Gmelin's edition of "Systema naturae". Hopes [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert is not idle in Ireland. Surprised that [John] Lightfoot and others should have missed so many Scottish plants now published by [James] Dickson in his second fasciculus [of "Plantarum cryptogamicarum Britanniae" (1785-1801)]. Dr Patrick Browne has given Lambert a manuscript on Jamaican plants, suspects it is of little worth. Apologises for corresponding with Smith on "such unequal terms"

Richard Pulteney to [James Edward Smith]

[Draft or copy] Apologises for delay in replyigng to Smith's letter of 22 October [1790], caused by a severe indisposition all winter. Thanks for Smith's remarks on his book. Responds to points in Smith's letter: Plukenet's authority, John Ray's manuscripts, difficulty of his acquiring books

Richard Pulteney, Blandford, [Dorset], to James Edward Smith, [12 Great] Marlborough Street, [London]

Thanks for "Linnean Transactions" vol 2 and plant specimens. Sorry to hear of death of [François] Borone. Thanks for Smith's "Tentamen de [filicum]". [William George] Maton just returned to Salisbury, [Wiltshire], after taking a degree at Oxford and gaining admission to Linnean Society. Encloses specimen of 'Acidium berberidis' [extant]. Specimen of 'Acidium berberidis'

Richard Pulteney, Blandford, [Dorset], to James Edward Smith, 12 [Great] Marlborough Street, [London]

Wishes he could be in London to attend auction of Paitoni's books. Pleased to hear Smith is contemplating a "Flora Anglica" and new edition of "Flora Lapponica", suggests including all the new plants discovered since publication of "Species plantarum". Astonished by the number of botanical books being published; feels so far left behind that he must give it up. Requests books by L'Héritier; asks Smith's opinion of Krocker's "Flora Siberiaca". Requests Smith's vote for William Frazer's candidacy at the Royal Society. Asks Smith to bid on his behalf for lot 8585 at Paitoni's election, work by Ehrhet

Richard Pulteney, Blandford, [Dorset], to James Edward Smith

Condolences on death of [François] Borone. Brief account of [Thomas] Rackett, [Charles] Hatchett [(1765-1847) chemist], and [William George] Maton's tour of Cornwall and Somerset. Thanks Smith for naming 'Pultenaea' for him, asks if figures of the species could be published in "Linnean Transactions". Sending copy of his catalogue of Leicestershire plants

Richard Pulteney, Blandford, [Dorset], to James Edward Smith

This is a manuscript copy of Pulteney's portion of a joint letter sent by Aylmer Bourke Lambert. It is not known when or by whom this copy was created. Sends greetings, is kept up to date in botanical matters by the monthly receipt of "English Botany", wishes Smith success with "Flora Graeca", feels increasingly frail

Richard Pulteney, [Blandford, Dorset], to James Edward Smith, 12 [Great] Marlborough Street, London

Thanks for Smith's letter of 16 [July 1792] and books; congratulates Smith on return of his health; state of his account with Smith. Expects he will have to draw a line soon regarding his purchase of works on exotic botany. Book orders for himself and a gentleman of his neighbourhood. Should his 'Lycoperdon' paper be intended for publication he has some small additions to make. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert in a "very low & depressed state". Grandmaison has published a French edition of his "View of the Writings of Linnaeus". Cannot come to London to examine Linnaean shells; his own collection contains nearly 1000 distinct species; he has lately inspired two young gentleman of the area in natural history, including [William George] Maton, whom Smith has already shown the Linnaean shells. Hears much of Bulliard's book on fungus ["Histoire des champignons de la France.." (1791-1812)]

Richard Pulteney, Blandford, [Dorset], to James Edward Smith, 12 Great Marlborough Street, London

Thanks for election as FLS. Isolated from progress of botany, owing to his "out of the way" location, not having a botanical correspondent in London, and inability to buy even old botanical books. Declines Smith's offer to acquire L'Héritier's "sumptuous work" until he is sure of its extent; would like to see the treatise on 'Geranium' mentioned in "Hortus Kewensis" but assumes the "present distracted state of France " will disrupt such publications. [Smith has briefly noted on recto of second folio extent and cost of a book

Richard Pulteney, Blandford, [Dorset], to James Edward Smith, 12 Great Marlborough Street, [London]

Thanks Smith for offering to procure botanical books for him; requests L'Héritier's "Sertum anglicum"; directions for sending. Anxious to procure those books quoted by Linnaeus, particularly Dalechamp and Brunssaling. He is about to publish his "Sketches of the progress of botany" [(1790)], orginally intended as an introduction to a large scale English flora