His periodical publications delayed by his long stay in London. Gives an account of his correspondence with and about [Richard] Salisbury: received copy of Salisbury's pamphlet ["The generic characters in the English Botany"] and letter signifying that if Smith made concessions he would not publish it. Contrary to Salisbury's claims Salisbury's sisters deny any knowledge of the business. Salisbury has told [Archibald] Menzies he would "give £500" to have never written it but has continued to attack Smith in "Paradisus Londinensis". Is particularly hurt by Sir Joseph Banks' obliviousness to the personal nature of the attacks but has long "been aware of the queerness of this great man" and is now glad he took Goodenough's advice and did name himself only the editor "Flora Graeca", as Banks wanted. As part of an experiment on Banks' humour requested a drawing for use in "Exotic Botany", which was grudgingly granted. Believes his work on 'Globba marantina' and other 'Scitamineae' in "Exotic Botany", in part assisted by [William] Roscoe's paper to Linnean Society, is excellent. [Francis] Buchanan has given him his whole collection of Nepal and Mysore plants, all his manuscript descriptions, and nearly 200 drawings for publication in "Exotic Botany".

Literary plans for winter: intends to finish "Flora Britannica", write a popular introduction to botany, to finish and publish Linnaeus' "Lapland tour", besides going on with "Flora Graeca" and his two periodical works ["Exotic Botany" and "English Botany"]. The first fasciculi of "Flora Graeca" has just printed but with possible errors to correct. Struggled with the 'Umbellatae', 'Silene', and 'Dianthus' in "Prodromus Florae Graecae". The sore on his leg has completely healed but left a "tremendous scar". Finances of the Linnean Society extremely healthy. The alarming state of the nation; "we have only the choice of evils, and perhaps not even that". The new Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)] a "very amiable, benignant character".

Had hoped to congratulate Goodenough in person on his appointment as Bishop of Carlisle at Linnean Society anniversary meeting but his wife and three servants have been suffering from "a sort of rheumatic epidemic" and so has delayed coming to London. The symptoms include intense pain in the back of the limbs, insomnia, and in some cases considerable emaciation and debility. Sending some Latin for "Flora Graeca" for Goodenough to correct. His sister in Liverpool invites Goodenough to stay on his way to Carlisle.

Asks Goodenough to frank an enclosed letter to John Hawkins, Dallington, near Northampton, [Northamptonshire].

Has still not received a letter from Goodenough. Wants Goodenough to read his paper on the new genus 'Hookeria', named after William Jackson Hooker, at the Linnean Society and asks that Goodenough overlook the clash with [Richard] Salisbury's 'Hookera', named after [William] Hooker [(1779-1832)], botanical artist for "Paradisus Londinensis", a "man of no knowledge & of even less character". Has found that Salisbury and William Hooker have been stealing copies of Sir Joseph Banks' drawings and publishing them as drawn from Lady Essex's garden. His wife still helpless with a painful rheumatic illness. Intends to be at the Linnean Society on 19 April.

Grateful for Goodenough's comments on "Flora Graeca" manuscript, discusses use of 'Atho', corrected by [John] Hawkins to 'Athone', and other Latin. Laments the loss of Goodenough's critical letter on his "Introduction to Botany", a similar thing occured when the Duke of Portland franked a letter to him on his "[Sketch of a] Tour [on the continent]". Pleased that Sir Abraham Hume is to become a FLS. Dawson Turner grateful for Goodenough's correcting [of the name 'Griffithsii' to 'Griffithsiae'] and it shall be published in "English Botany" as 'Griffithsiae'. His wife has relapsed into her rheumatic illness. Lord Seaforth an "excellent & very acute man". Directs Goodenough to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert for news of [Richard] Salisbury stealing a figure of 'Byblis' from Sir Joseph Banks.

His need to vent with Goodenough like the Suffolk baronet and wife of their acquaintance, who when apart write to each other every day with minimal formalities, and when Sir Thomas Frankland used to write to him with the "most delightful epistolia" of the moment. Recollects the day he spent with Yeates and Broussonet in the woods of Corby Castle, near Carlisle, where he caught and gave to [Thomas] Marsham 'Elater cuprens' and 'Scarabaeus arvicola', wonders why Marsham has only named Yorkshire for the former species and not mentioned him [in "Entomologica Britannia"]. Found 'Elater pectinicornis' on Cromford Moor near Matlock. Noticed that Dr [Samuel] Johnson [(1709-1784), author] explains the "shard-born beetle" of the poets as born or produced among broken stones or pots, Smith thinks it must mean "borne, or flying about, on shards, or shells (testae)".

Argues for his new 'Hookeria' [after William Jackson Hooker] and 'Brodiaea' genera being put forward in spite of [Richard] Salisbury having already published Smith's 'Brodiaea' as 'Hookera' [in "Paradisus Londinensis", after William Hooker (1779-1832), botanical artist]: wrote his papers on 'Hookeria' and 'Brodiaea' before hearing of Salisbury's intention for 'Hookera' and would not normally object except that Salisbury's Hooker is not a botanist and an associate "in an infamous fraud" on Sir Joseph Banks [stealing figures of 'Byblis' and other plants and presenting them as their own]. Urges Goodenough to read his letter in the "Monthly Magazine" [April 1808 edition] which addresses an erroneous statement in the botanical report in [the February 1808] issue of the magazine conjecturing on the nature of the dispute between himself and Salisbury, which is independent of botany.

Smith's reply to Goodenough's letter dated 12 November 1808. Has Bodaeus' Theophrastus but as [John] Sibthorp's intention was to illustrate Dioscorides does not intends to go further with "Flora Graeca" or "Florae Graecae Prodromus". Requests Goodenough's advice whether to follow [Richard] Salisbury's new generic name for 'Nymphaea alba', 'Castalia', after the manner the petals "chastely fold over & cover the organs of impregnation", in "Florae Graecae Prodromus". Smith would prefer it to be after the Castalian fountain of Greek mythology. Salisbury has separated it from 'Nymphaea lutea' as proposed by Smith in "Introduction to Botany". Believes that 'Nymphaea alba' in Dioscorides provides enough evidence for keeping that name and proposes 'Blephara', also from Dioscorides, for the other generic name, and provides characters for each. Observes how curious it is that 'Nymphaea alba' is strictly gynandrous according to the more correct character of 'Gynandria'.

Believes he has quoted Dr [John] Hull [(1761-1843), physician and botanist] more than commending him, he is a "mere compiler". Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)] gratified to hear of Goodenough's remembrances and is quite recovered, although he lately had a fall at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] after opening the cellar door. Asks Goodenough to frank enclosed letter to Mrs Smith in Liverpool. Amelia Hume's 'Chrysanthemum indicum' in flower. Will send part of his 'Sedum ochroleucum' in a frank for Goodenough to grow.

Forwards letters to SmithEncloses letters [not extant]. Invited to Royal Academy dinner, suspects the invitation is due to Smith.

Has had a sharp fit of gout in his right hand. Hopes Smith liked his last alterations [probably to Smith's Latin]. Sees that Smith has "pacified [George] Don at once, he appears to be a most valuable correspondent", disusses Don's 'Carex' specimens. Hopes to be in London by 10 January [1809].

Uncertain where to forward [George] Don's late "lucubrations" to Smith. Finds that 'Bromus racemosus' is the most common grass in his fields, and has 'Hieracium murorum' growing upon the walls of Rose Castle; offers to send specimen to [James] Sowerby.

When reading in [George] Don's letters he is struck with "the simplicity of his style, & the acuteness of his remarks". Hopes to hear from Smith soon, wishes he would visit "this retired Philosophical spot"; one of the area's two botanists brought him specimens of 'Rubus sylvaticus' and 'Cistus heliantheum' to have planted in the garden, fears he lost his botanical standing by confusing the 'Cistus' with 'Vaccinium'.

"What an indefatigable creature is this [George] Don?". Asks if Don is right about 'Agrostis arundinacea', thinks it may be an 'Arundo epigeios'; 'Thlaspi hirtum' and 'T. incanum' appear distinct. Invites Smith to visit in August; has just discovered a botanist in his neighbourhood who is a Cambridge man and may prove more than an amateur, of which he already has two.

Constantly reminded of Smith by his "very assiduous & ever-to-be-encouraged correspondent Mr G[eorge] Don". Made to doubt his own knowledge after seeing Don's "acute observations", and wonder "where have all these things lain since the days of Adam, that no one should have noticed them before". Does not wish for Smith to be charged for any of [the Don letters and plant specimens]. Eagerly awaiting confirmation of Smith's visit.

Prevented by gout from reviewing Smith's papers; it was caused by his horse plunging into an unexpected hole whilst crossing a river at Old Windsor, Berkshire. Smith "deep in the willows": he thinks they should be described in the two states of fructification and leaf; agrees that 'Salix amygdalina' and 'S. triandra' are the same, having seen it in Bath and on Battersea fields with different leaves but the same bark; found 'Salix rubra fissa' Hoffmann in a holt on the north side of Ely, Cambridgeshire, and not on Prickwillow Bank; wanted to add the habitat of Walmer Castle and Deal, Kent, to 'S. arenaria' but not sure of Smith's plant; glad that Smith has thrown out 'S. hermaphroditica'. Does not follow Smith's 'Polypodium': thought they found 'P. thelypteris' near Bury but Smith has listed it as 'P. oreopteris'; asks how Smith has addressed 'P. aculeatum' and 'P. lobatum' on account of how different they appeared in [William] Sole's garden.

Spent the summer at his living of Cropredy, Oxfordshire, "one of the stillest places imaginable" but complains how all of the country "is in a state of cruel high cultivation, so that Nature's original designations are not to be discovered". Found 'Ulva compressa' on rocks in a rapidly running stream, an occurance never witnessed by him before; informed by [Dawson] Turner that 'Ulva compressa' and 'Ulva intestinalis' are the same plants. Hopes Smith's "Flora [Britannica]" is proceeding; its imperfect appearance "not relished" at Oxford. Did not see [George] Williams at Oxford but did visit the Botanic Garden, which was in very good form, and received 'Crocus officinalis' specimen which agreed with the description and figure in "English Botany". Received an old specimen of [Sir] T[homas] Frankland's 'Bromus secalinus' and now convinced he never saw it before; those sent under its name were 'Bromus mollis'. Presented Smith's gift of a plant to the Queen [Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III]. Knows nothing of political agitation or riots in the market town next to Cropredy.

Disagreements over 'Carex' between him and [John] Pitchford, who believes Goodenough's 'Carex fulva' is the 'C. distans' of all other authors and sent specimen to him of which Goodenough thinks it a slight variety of 'C. flava'. Pitchford believes everyone has been deceived by [William] Hudson's 'C. inflata' which is in fact Smith's 'C. laevigata'; Goodenough convinced it is his 'C. depauperata'. Continually asked when Smith's "Flora Britannica" will be completed. Wishes that he had been on hand when Smith was selecting specimens and writing for "English Botany". Believes that the arrival of peace [Treaty of London, signed 30 September 1801, a preliminary peace between Britian and France] will be particularly beneficial for natural history, hopes that Britain will "keep the lead in science, as we have undoubtedly in naval glory" but dreads introduction of revolutionary principles.

Begs for natural history news, especially of the new 'Carex' species discovered since he last wrote. Fears all are mistaken over his 'Carex fulva'; left specimens in all stages of growth at the Linnean Society for verification. Identifies himself as the one to ascertain [John] Lightfoot's 'Carex tomentosa' as Linnaeus' 'C. filiformis' after begging the Queen [Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III] to examine her herbarium for the purpose. D[awson] Turner insists on writing to him even after being informed that his neighbour [Thomas] Woodward knows as much [about 'Fucus'], Turner talks of a work on 'Fucus' but has urged him to a "tentamen confervarum". Is about to receive a French paper on the fructification of 'Confervae', will inform Smith of anything striking. Deterred from visiting London by the expensive accomodation.

Hopes Smith is recovered from illness which left him unable to read. Appointed Dean of Rochester and comfortably lodged, however, the town itself is "naval, military, & suited to the various business of a dockyard" and does not perceive much literature in the minor canons. Fears intellectual isolation but hopes to make an aquaintance with Mr Wrighte, foreign secretary of the Antiquary Society. Informed that the country about Rochester is well situated for botany but lacks the encouragement of a companion and discouraged by the "loose fellows from the navy and dockyard with their doxies". Thinks Smith's 'Carex [divisa]' is a good figure but wishes he consulted him first as he would have informed him of the variations caused by soil types, following observations on Isle of Sheppey. Thinks [William] Hudson in his first edition ["Flora Anglica"] took Smith's 'L. chrysophthalmus' for Linnaeus' 'juniperimus'. Asks Smith's opinion of [Thomas] Marsham's book ["Entomologia Britannica"]; thinks it "gives great consequence to English entomology". Greeting for the Bishop of Norwich [Charles Manners-Sutton (1755-1828)].

A disagreement at Oxford involving Dr [George] Williams and a new professorship [possibly the Aldrichian chair of anatomy and physiology, founded 1803]. It is opposed by his son, [Edmund Goodenough (1785-1845), headmaster and dean of Wells], but he has written to him pledging his own support for Williams. Unsure of his son's objection unless it is the wish of the Dean of Christ Church, whom he generally has to second on account of multiple kindnesses shown to him.

Smith's forty-five 'Salix' species make him impatient for the remained of "Flora [Britannica]". Nobody interested in botany in Rochester and the dryness of the area is not favourable for the fructification of mosses; however there are "great tracts of wood" and Lord and Lady Darnley have a hothouse, greenhouse, and "an idea of an arboretum". Found a new plant in a hothouse called "Egyptain 'Amaryllis'" which flowered in February to be a 'Pancratium' "caule biflora", refers to [Johan Jacon] Dillenius' "Hortus Elthamensis". [Thomas] Marsham wrote suggesting to leave him out of the Linnean Society Council and vice-presidentship for next year; happy to comply as long as he is not "let down improperly". Hopes Smith's reception at Frogmore [the Queen's country house in Berkshire] will be followed with fresh invitations.

Succeeded in gaining his son's support [Edmund Goodenough (1785-1845), headmaster and dean of Wells] for Dr [George] Williams at Oxford, although from his son's note and Smith's letter unsure "what this place of physical contention is" [possibly a disagreement over the Aldrichian chair of anatomy and physiology, founded 1803].

Apologises for missing Linnean Society anniversary meeting; [Thomas] Marsham rescinded his offer of accommodation and it is otherwise too difficult finding a place to stay in London. Also surprised at the expensive dinner tickets which he believes will "frighten away most of the valuable members" such as [John] Fairbairn, [Thomas] Hoy [(c 1750-1822)], [Jonas] Dryander, and [James] Dickson; compares prices with Westminster School and Orphan School dinners. Observed his first rare plant in Rochester, 'Ophrys nidus-avis', at the side of a wood. Is not confident of Rochester's suitability for botanising; the hills mean there is very little rain. Asks when the remaining part of ["Flora Britannica"] appears; fears [Napoleon] Buonaparte will invade before it does. Gives his regards to [Aylmer Bourke] and Mrs [Catherine] Lambert.

Thanks for the two copies of third volume of "Flora Britannia"; humbled by the "deference you have paid to my humble attempts at the genus 'Carex'". Has just heard that there is a "lady botanist" at Rochester; regrets that both at Windsor and Rochester there were no naturalists, "this horrid war turns all men's minds to drums, trumpets & arms". Will try to attend the Linnean Society anniversary meeting but wishes for his resignation of the vice-presidentship to take place before then. Praises Smith's support of "English Botany", thinks the variety of 'Hedypnois autumnalis' is a distinct species. Unsure of 'Picris hieracoides'; always thought it a one foot high dwarfish plant and cannot find it in "English Botany" and has been told by Eton botanists that it is a smooth plant growing over the ferry in a lane in Datchet, Berkshire, about three feet high. Encouraging his and [John] Sibthorp's acquaintance, Miss [Elizabeth] Hill [(c 1760-1850), algologist], to study marine plants. Dr Walter Vaughan, an old friend of Smith's from Edinburgh and Leiden, has established a practice in Rochester and "threatens" to take up botany in the summer. Goodenough's wife a "sad invalid".