Thanks for Smith's letter and parcel of specimens, including 'Ophryis loeselii' and two other 'Orchideae'; sent it on to [John] Pitchford, who lectured him for making a joke about Lent; thanks for Retz and Bulliard works. Received Hedwig's work on mosses; his opinion. Requests Smith's opinion of variety of 'Carex panicea' in the parcel from Robinson's. Requests Smith's notes on 'Lycoperdon', particularly 'L. pistillace'; still thinks 'carpobolus' is distinct from 'Lycoperdon' and that [James] Dickson's 'Mucor urceolatus' and this should form new genus under 'Carpobolus'.

Anticipates Smith's "Introductory discourse" [to Linnean Society]; wonders whether to write on 'Lycoperdon' to correct [Charles] Bryant's [(d 1799)] mistakes. Mrs Woodward thanks Smith for the "holy chaplet". [James] Crowe has estranged himself over the election. Attempts to acquire 'Fucus' specimens.

[In postscript on recto of second folio] asks whether 'Astragalus arenarius' of [William] Hudson is 'A. epiglottis' of Linnaeus; observations.

Asks after Smith's "botanical institution" [Linnean Society]; understands they met at Smith's house and that Smith's introductory discourse was well received. Still waiting on Smith's 'Lycoperdon' notes so he can write paper on the genus; justifies his decision to focus on only British species. Sends parcel of a few marine plants for [Samuel] Goodenough, asks for his and Smith's opinion. [John] Pitchford has the true 'Fucus pinnatus' of [William] Hudson but convinced it is 'cartilagineus' of Hudson in fructification. Sends Goodenough specimens of common brown 'Fucus' of Yarmouth beach; observations on its "newness", specimen enclosed for Smith [envelope extant but specimen missing, labelled 'Fucus subsuscus', located 18.74].

Delayed in replying to Woodward by Linnean Society affairs and moving house, the stress of which brought on a fever, pain in the side, and cough of five months duration, now better. Glad Woodward was satisfied with the specimens he sent; recently sent Woodward a paper of his on vegetable irritability via [John] Pitchford. Opinion on his "Introductory discourse" to Linnean Society.

Has little on 'Lycoperdon' except that the little one he sent from Scotland is [James] Dickson's 'fragile'. Confirms 'Astragalus arenaria' is 'A. hypoglottis' of Linnaean herbarium and "Mantissa". Variety of 'Carex panicea' "seems a monster". His house "excellent & pleasant". Asks if Woodward would like to become a Fellow rather than Associate of the Linnean Society; the cost and benefits.

Hopes Smith has recovered from his illness. Would prefer to be a Fellow rather than Associate of the Linnean Society; requests information and rules of the Society. Pleased by Smith's short paper on the irritability of plants. Postponing writing his 'Lycoperdon' paper until the winter; requests Smith's notes and transcript of Dillenius on 'Bovista'.

He and [John] Pitchford searched in vain for 'Ophrys loeselii' in St Faith's bogs, which have been improved and drained, but found new habitat for 'Carex limosa'; [Robert] Stone [(c 1751-1829), botanist] found 'Carex strigosa', a "capital addition" to the Norfolk flora. Received four specimens of 'Algae': 'foeniculaceus' of Gmelin and [William] Hudson; 'Abies marina' of Gmelin but erroneously labelled; a non-descript 'Fucus'; and a non-descript 'Conferva'; observations on all. A recently published figure of [Louis] Gerard's 'Thesium alpinum' does not resemble the Suffolk plant, asks for comparison with Linnaean herbarium. Requests specimens of 'Equisetum sylvaticum', 'Mentha villosa', and 'M. sylvestris'. Asks if 'Fucus pyriferus' Linnaeus is Sir Joseph Banks' 'Fucus giganteus'.

Just returned from Matlock, [Derbyshire], in much better health. Details of Linnean Society fellowship and constitution. Transcribes manuscript note on 'Lycoperdon epiphyllum' from Linnaeus' "Flora Suecica", and his own notes on 'L. pedunculatum'; advises Woodward write only on the English 'Lycoperdon'.

Goodenough received Woodward's 'Fucus' specimens but they have been unable to examine them. Corrects mistakes Woodward made about 'Fucus' in his last letter [30 July 1788, see RelatedMaterial below] and regrets being unable to help with specimens of 'Equisetum sylvaticum' and 'Mentha villosa' at present. Linnean Society has begun to make a library and herbarium of English plants and would be grateful for Woodward's specimens of 'Bromus arvensis', 'Carex limosa', 'C. strigosa', and 'Orobanche ramosa', and he would like 'C. strigosa'.

Saw 'Ophrys loeselii' in [William] Curtis' garden. At Matlock found plants not usually known there, including: 'Thlaspi alpestre', 'Lichen laetevirens', 'L. saccatus', 'L. immersus', and 'Hypnum intricatum' Schreber. Comments that [Richard] Relhan's "vile figure" of 'Thesium alpinum' seems same plant as Gerard's "beautiful & accurate one".

Confirms his intention to become a FLS and sends specimens for their herbarium, including 'Carex strigosa' for Smith and Goodenough, and 'Fucus', including: specimen resembling [William] Hudson's 'F. obtusus' and 'Ulva filiformis'; a 'Conferva'; and others. Discussion of 'Lycoperdon epiphyllum' and 'Serrhula arvenii', latter observed as parasitic in bean fields. Requests specimens of Smith's Matlock plants, including 'Lichens'. Discusses figures of 'Thesium alpinum'.

Asks after botanical publications, including Bulliard's "Champignons", Leers' "Flora", and Bolton's "Fungi", errors with the latter. Sends parcel of seeds of 'Carex strigosa' for [William] Curtis. Attended [Thomas William] Coke's "magnificent fête" at Holkham on 5 November; the newspaper reports were not exaggerated. All anxious for news of the King [George III (1738-1820)], whose illness has been "universally deplored".