Franked Smith's letter to [Walter] Wade. Amused by Smith's letter stating he is teaching [William Fitt] Drake religion [he had begun training for the clergy], presumes he does not mean Divinity. Debates atonement and "vicarious punishment" as defined by Smith's Unitarian faith and his own. Counsels Smith not to advise Drake and compares the religion of a citizen and of a clergyman.

Arrived back in London. Thanks for "Lachesis Lapponica". Sir Joseph Banks taking him to the [Royal Society] anniversary dinner. Antiquarian Society in uproar; Sir [Henry] Englefield [7th baronet (1752-1822)] "pants" for the Chair but his Popish connection has raised a powerful opponent in Lord Aberdeen [George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen (1784-1860)], who has carried ninety-two votes to three.

Thanks for basket of game. Assures Smith he did not mean to suggest Smith was trying to influence [William Fitt Drake] with his own religious persuasions, and looks upon "any conscientious dissenter as being as good & as religious as any churchman whatsoever".

Will join the Linnean Dining Club, proposed by [William George] Maton, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Mr Baker, if it is a "frugal literary dinner, where eating is not the primary object". Fears the plans for it are moving too fast; could not attend a meeting on subject held at the British Coffee House and attended by Maton, [George] Shaw [(1751-1813)], [Joseph] Sabine, and [William] Pilkington [(1758-1848)] as it would be "out of character". Enjoying reading "Lachesis Lapponica" and the greater maturity of Linnaeus' writing compared to his earlier "Systema".

Busy with the National Schools for the Education of the Poor. Received Smith's shilling in the post and notes it was not tampered with; wishes others were as careful as Smith in ensuring their correspondence is not chargeable to the recipient, as the "vain-glorius Lancaster" [probably John Lancaster (1778-1838), Quaker and public education innovator] did to him in sending a copy of his "seditious" speech in Ireland and an Irish newspaper. Refuses to join the Linnean Dining Club as he does not wish to have his carriage waiting so publicly outside the British Coffee House, the chosen venue for it. Unsurprised to read that "riot & robbery stalk abroad uncontrolled", and even expected it considering how the upcoming generation of men educated upon Lancaster's plan were kept from religious notions and now have a "very general indifference with respect to all religion". No Linnean Society news, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert "enamoured of being in the Chair". Currently preparing two arduous sermons.

Hopes Smith will be able to preside at the Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Asks if anything has been done about the Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington] being elected an Honorary Member of the Society. Forsees "dreadful evils" following the "atrocities which have taken place", makes him lament more the death of [Thomas] Dampier [(1749-1812)].

Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington] unanimously elected an Honorary Member at the Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Fifty-three attended the dinner, including Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North], Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley, Sir Nash Grose [(1740-1814), judge], Sir George Staunton, Sir Thomas Frankland, Mr Poulter, [Thomas] Woodward, [Dawson] Turner, [John] Davies of Trinity College, [Thomas] Hoy [(c 1750-1822)], [Thomas] Marsham, [Alexander] Macleay, [Lewis Weston] Dillwyn [(1778-1855)], Forster, [William George] Maton, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, Symonds, and [Thomas] Rackett. Account of speeches and toasts. Sorry to see that older members such as [James] Dickson, [John] Fairbairn, and [John] Francillon [(1744-1816), jeweler and naturalist] did not attend either the morning or evening. [Abraham] Rees [(1743-1825)], [Robert] Hodgson, [Thomas Andrew] Knight, and Davies Giddy attended in the morning but not evening, and Sir Abraham Hume, Lord Valentia [George Annesley], and the Bishop of Salisbury [John Fisher] [(1748-1825)] promised to attend in the evening but did not.

Pleased to hear that Smith is recovering from his fever with medicines and sea air but asks why, given his propensity for fevers, he has not found a preemptive remedy to be applied at the first signs of one. An abundant harvest expected in Cumberland. Has used his entomological knowledge to cure his farmer's fears timing when to bring in the hay after observing that any approach of rain brings out insects such as 'Tabanus pluralis'. Enquires after the fourth volume of "Flora Britannica". His given his son, Edmund, Smith's "Introduction to Botany". Glad that Smith is to finish settling the Linnean Society's business with the Prince Regent. It never rains all day in his part of the country. Takes it for granted that America will have to be classed as an enemy but hopes peace will be preserved [War of 1812, fought between Britain and USA over British interests in North America, 1812-1815].

Brief description of 'Gnaphalium sylvaticum' of "Flora Britannica" found whilst walking on an old moor "now unfortunately under the plough". Asks if he was correct regarding 'Astragalus campestris', and [George] Don's 'Carex nivalis'. International affairs: America's "avowed friendship for Buonaparte", Russia's retreat from the French, and Spain's lack of spirit after all the assistance Britain has given.

Pleased that Lord Gainsborough [Henry Noel, 6th Earl of Gainsborough (1743-1798)] has been elected [to the Linnean Society] but intended for the proposal and election to be at different meetings. The King [George III (1738-1820)] is "so far better to have grown perfectly harmless & quiet, but he wavers almost every quarter of an hour" and informed that Dr [Francis] Willis [(1718-1807), physician to George III] thinks a perfect recovery will be accomplished in time with the attentions of friends. Goodenough concerned that people in the King's situation often relapse or continue with irregular waverings. The Chancellor [Edward Thurlow, 1st Baron Thurlow (1731-1806)] saw the King yesterday and left convinced of necessity of immediately declaring the Regent, Goodenough convinced this likely and concludes that he understands that "the string upon which he goes off is Politicks particularly the German". Had not heard of the D of P [William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland (1738-1809)] declining a part in the admininstration, hopes it is not true.

Could not attend meeting on Tuesday because there was no moon for the return journey, fears his Royal Society certificate has been forgotten and asks Smith to ask Mr Greville, Mr Marsden, or Mr Blagden to sign it.

Has just returned from Oxford. Already has a copy of second edition of [Johann Daniel] Leers [(1727-1774)] but asks Smith to look out for a first edition. Arrangements for purchasing L'Heritier's "Sertum Anglicum". Asks if Smith has a spare copy of [Johann Christian Daniel von] Schreber's "Grasses" [ "Beschreibung der Graesser"?]. Asks after progress of Smith's next fasciculus and for Smith to send it him as soon as ready. Argues the value of giving a preface to every fasiculus for saying something upon the nature of work; additional remarks on previously published plants; and prepatory annotations on forthcoming plants. Saw at Oxford Smith's friend Dr [William] Thomson [(c 1760-1806), mineralogist and physician]; persuaded him to give him the plants Smith provided for his abandoned "Materia Medica". Also saw [John] Sibthorp who gave him Cyrpus wine and Hymettian honey and gave him a tour of the rarities of the Sherardian library and garden. Next time Sibthorp is in London intends to compare all the Sherardian collection with Sir Joseph [Banks'] or Smith's collections. Sibthorp's thousand drawings "very excellent" and he has added Linnean names to the Sherardian and Morrisonian collections in his keeping; the garden is superior to the one at Cambridge.

Corrections and comments on Smith's usage of Latin in a manuscript sent for review [possibly Smith's translation of "Flora Lapponica"]. Asks Smith to confirm what he wrote of 'Lichen gypsaeus' and briefly discusses Linnaeus' terminology. In reference to 'Lichen tiliaceus' quotes a Latin remark about [Georg Franz] Hoffmann. Terminology applied in description of 'Lichen cucullatus'. Long discussion of usage and eytymology of "scutella"; "scutellum" incorrectly used by Linnaeus in "Philosophia Botanica", whereas the younger Linnaeus used "scutella"; wishes the elder Linnaeus had been more of a scholar.

Met [Jonas Carl] Dryander on way to Kew where two species of 'Aponogeton' are in flower, the 'Fudisia' [?] with "red superb flowers". Note on reverse of letter asks Smith to send the specimen of 'Cistus guttatus'.

Saw [John] Lightfoot's herbarium [owned by Queen Charlotte] at Windsor yesterday; confirms that Lightfoot's 'Tomentosa' is Linnaeus' 'Filiformis' and that Smith 's "little incurod 'Carex'" from Mount Cenis is not Lightfoot's 'incuroa', however has not been able to compare. As the Uspal Society is now defunct suggests Smith makes his dedication [of Smith's translation of Linnaeus' "Flora Lapponica"] to the Swedish nation, suggests a possible wording, in Latin.

[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]

Confident in Smith and [Jonas] Dryander's judgement respecting his paper ['Observations on the British Species of] 'Carex'''. Preparations necessary prior to the paper being read: asks Smith what he meant about the placing of the synonyma, will have drawn whatever needs engraving, asks how to credit Smith observing the capsules of '[Carex] dioica' and '[Carex] capitata', stating that his distinction between the two came from his own observations. Has omitted mentioning the serrulation of the capsules in many of the species.

Has just returned from a month long visit to Hastings, Sussex, where he saw the India, Jamaica, and Oporto fleets and collected marine plants. Fishermen brought a blue shark, 'Squalus glaucus', to shore, and as [Thomas] Pennant had only briefly spoken of the species decided to make a full description of it, and had an outline drawing of it made; proposes it for a paper [published as 'A Description of the Porbeagle Shark']. Has a specimen of 'Asplenium marinum' for Linnean Society herbarium. Found two new 'Ulvae' at Hastings. Asks the progress of printing of his paper on 'Carex'; wishes [John] Sibthorp could see it before he finishes his "Flora Oxoniensis". Baroness [Henriette Charlotte von] Itzenplitz has giving birth to a son at Kew.

On reverse of letter note "do get my vol. of Phil. Transactions" and a column of amounts of money.

'Rottoellia compressa' from Botany Bay, [Australia], is in flower at Kew; would like Smith to see it as it is one of the badly described plants in the younger Linnaeus' "Supplementum" and believes it may actually be new. Proposes an errata for his paper on 'Carex'. Unsure if his paper on 'Squalus glaucus' will be ready for first volume of "Linnean Transactions" and whether it was male or female.

Asks Smith to tell the Queen [Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III] how he is filled with honour on being admitted to see her "Lightfootian 'Carices'" and should also want to see the 'Fucus' and 'Confervae'.

Has drawn up a list of errata in his paper ['Observations on the British Species of Carex'], begs that Smith print it at the end of the volume as it is essential for understanding his Latin. His daughter is recovering but his two youngest children now suffering from bowel complaints. Requests the plates.

Apologises for the trouble he has caused in trying to preempt the punctuation corrections of the typesetters [for his paper 'Observations on the British Species of Carex']. Thanks Smith for naming the genus 'Goodenia' in his honour; asks for as many specimens of species as possible. Has no "violent objection" to Smith's use of the term "Tetrathica" aside from Linnaeus' own condemnation of it; believes it and Jussieu's 'Myriothica' are innocent uses but suggests the alternatives 'Excavaria', 'Cellularia', or 'Valvaria'.

Discussion of the "defect of Louis XVI" [an apparent infertility, from his marriage to Marie Antoinette in 1770 till their first child was born in 1778, presumably for inclusion in Smith's "Sketch of a Tour on the Continent"]. Goodenough believes it was caused by an "incurvation of the penis [...] owing to an uncommon shortness & rigidity of the fraenum" according to a commonly believed report from his brother-in-law who was in Paris at the time. Suggests wording for Smith's opinion of the defect, in Latin. The tooth-ache which left him "half dead" has been cured.

Encloses a supplementary paper for "Linnean Transactions"explaining the plates to his paper 'Observations on the British Species of Carex', does not intend for it to reflect badly on [James] Sowerby. Fears the letter sent from Bulstrode in January giving his opinion on Smith's "Tour" has miscarried; reiterates his enjoyment of them but expresses his concern that three or four passages will not meet with royal approval as "Kings and Queens love to read the praises of Kings and Queens". Surprised by Smith's "multifarious" reading, took several pages to be in the style of Dr [Andrew] Kippis [(1725-1795), nonconformist and biographer].

Correction of his Latin used in his description of 'Carex axillaris' [for his paper 'Observations on the British Species of Carex']. Unsure if he can see Smith at Kew on Wednesday. Further details of a letter previously sent but apparently lost. Sorry to hear that the Queen [Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III] has been so "[un]impressed" [by Smith's remarks on the French Queen, Marie Antoinette, in his "Sketch of a Tour on the Continent"]; "Kings & Queens naturally like to have the cause of Kings & Queens be praised". Another letter containing a draft for money has also been lost; informed that his postman is "drunk daily" but dares not have him turned out as he has eight children to feed. Promises Smith the lost letter did not contain any critique of his work, only pointed out passages for praise or those which might be taken amiss.

Apologises for absence from Linnean Society meeting. Received from [William] Markwick [(1739-1813), naturalist] a 'Loxia curvirostra' for Linnean Society and attention of [John] Latham. Puzzled whether [James] Dickson's 'Carex' is new or 'Carex rigida'. Quotes [Edmund] Burke that "the age of chivalry is gone" otherwise he would certainly have fallen in love with Miss Charlotte Aynscombe [artist]. Hopes Smith is not affected by the "dreadful sharp weather" and that Smith, Latham, and [Thomas] Marsham will be able to visit him.