Regrets hearing of Smith's continued illness but expects to find him perfectly recovered and in London next month. Thanks Smith for reminding him of the money he owes to Linnean Society, has written to rectify this at once.
Encloses an address [extant]. He has sent his “critical observations on some errors of Pursh” by another conveyance. Death of Dr Bery Barton, a member of the Linnean Society. Collecting a new herbarium, currently has 3000 specimens of 150 species. Hopes to be an occasional correspondent with Smith.
“Circular address on Botany and Zoology; followed by the prospectus of two periodical works: Annals of Nature and Somiology of North America. By C S Rafinesque” [33 pp].
Regrets being unable to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting this year as he has a paper on the larch insect to submit to the Society, and wished to announce a new edition of his "Nereis Britannica". Undertook new edition over the winter in order to present a thesis sent to the Moscow Society of Natural History some years ago, in return for being made a member; he has added 30 plates to the 17 in the thesis, comprising the whole of 'Fucus', and has printed a limited number, though it will be cheaper than any new printed book.
He has been busy arranging the animals in Aristotle, in preparation for new edition of Stephen's "Thesaurus". Hopes Smith has been well in the two years since they last saw each other.
Asks after Smith following his recent visit to Hare Street. Wishes to reprint his "Linnean Transactions" paper on ivy in "Fragments of Landscape Gardening", asks if he can also add the sketch if still available. Asks if his daughter could attend any lectures Smith gives in the spring.
[Note in Smith's hand] did not receive this letter until September [1816].
Heard from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert that Smith is unwell, hopes he can still attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting. The royal couple [newly wed Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), daughter of George IV, and Prince Leopold (1790-1865), later Leopold I of Belgium] were meant to have moved into Camelford House on Thursday but it was not ready; Goodenough thinks it an unsuitable home for them and that Lord Grenville oversold it [William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville (1759-1834), prime minister 1806-1807]. Sorry to hear of the death of [Thomas] Johnes. Informed by Lady and [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818), collector of antiquarian items] that Sir Joseph is better, they talked about Prince Leopold's visit to Spring Grove [Banks' Middlesex country house]. [Thomas] Marsham has repaid another £100, and will have the remaining £200 for when a new Treasurer is appointed.
Hopes [Thomas] Marsham will repay the remaining money he owes by Linnean Society anniversary to avoid setting a precedent regarding the duty and responsibility of members. Brief remarks on use of Latin. Goodenough thinks Camelford House is a "poor confined habitation for royalty to inhabit" [the house stood at junction of Oxford Street and Park Lane and was purchased for the newly married Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), daughter of George IV, and Prince Leopold (1790-1865)].
Informed by [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert that Smith agrees to increasing the number of FMLS to allow five new members; requests Smith's own opinion.
Reports from morning part of Linnean Society anniversary meeting: convinced [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert that the Society's rules would not allow five new FMLS; [Thomas] Marsham only paid £28 of his debt but proposes to repay the remaining £400 in two, three, and four month installments; Goodenough asked [Alexander] Macleay to consider not toasting Marsham's name at the dinner.
Reports from evening part of Linnean Society anniversary meeting: fifty-four members present, including: [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley, [William George] Maton, Sir Thomas Cullum, [Thomas Andrew] Knight, Mr Greenough, two Forsters, Mr Simmonds, [James] Dickson, [Thomas] Hoy [(c 1750-1822)], Holmes, Mr Burchall, [Thomas] Rackett, and [William] Kirby. [Thomas] Marsham apologised by letter for not repaying the £100 as intended and proposed to repay the remainder in installments. Goodenough advised [Alexander] Macleay not to publicise this so as to avoid further disappointment. Marsham's name was not mentioned during the toasts at the dinner, and by accident Sir Joseph Banks and the honorary members were also overlooked.
President of the Horticultural Society [Thomas Andrew Knight] offended by [Patrick] Keith's treatment of him in "Physiology of Plants" ["A system of physiological botany"]. Shocked to see how old Kirby looks and how "amazingly distended" Hoy's chest is. Believes it would be better to reduce rather than increase number of FMLS, cites example of Royal Society who are reducing their foreign members to thirty; thinks forty is sufficiently large for Linnean Society, and proposes keeping ten spaces free for emergencies. In postscript states that whenever Marsham's name was mentioned there was silence.