Doubts authenticity of Christy's 'Cistus surreyanus' found near Addington, having searched the area himself with [William] Borrer and only finding 'Cistus helianthemum'.

[First two and a half folios by Mary Jane Forster to Pleasance Smith]: Thanks for turkey. Glad that Smith is well enough to tend to botanical pursuits. Mildness of the weather. Family news.

[Remaining folio and a half by Edward Forster to Sir James Edward Smith]: his pleasure at introducing a banking correspondent, John Eddowes Bowman, into a botanical one; proposed him as FLS.

He is about to be married to [Jane Martyn (d 1896)], a granddaughter of Professor [Thomas] Martyn. Requests Smith's assistance in obtaining drawings or descriptions of 'Martynia longiflora' and 'M. craniolaria', for coloured drawings he intends to have made of all the 'Martynia' as a gift to his wife.

Return of David Douglas [(1799-1834), botanist] from America and his "great acquisition of new species of plants"; proposes that he be raised from ALS to FLS, with the usual fees waived, as recognition of his achievements. It would also compliment that Horticultural Society, the Linnean Society's "sister". The old Linnean Club "going on prosperously this season".

Following Smith's promise of assistance in procuring plants for his just established Salicetum, sends list 'Salix' already in his collection and requests that Smith procure cuttings of any 'Salix' species wanting.

Sorry to hear of Smith's illness. Asks that when Smith is at his friend Mr Forster's [probably Edward Forster] to compare his collection of willows against the Woburn catalogue. Invites Smith visit Woburn [Abbey, Bedfordshire] whilst he is in London. Pleased to hear that Smith is going to sit to "that admirable artist", [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor] for his bust.

Sorry to hear of cause of Smith's detention in the country. [Edward] Forster had invited [George] Sinclair to see his collection of willows; sorry Smith will not be able to see him but will ensure specimens are sent to Smith.

Sorry that return of Smith's illness prevented him from visiting [Edward] Forster, to whom he had previously sent a collection of his willows for Smith, concerned Smith has not seen them. His gardener has several specimens he wishes to show Smith, hopes he will be able to see Smith soon.

Encouraged to write to Smith by the "persevering attention bestowed by [Smith] upon the progress & the wishes of young botanists, of which he possess so many solid proofs in [Smith's] works".

Discusses apparent ambiguity in earlier editions of "English botany" and "English flora" over the 'Ophrys' species considered 'O. apifera' by Haller and 'O. adrachnites' by Professor Murray; errors respecting localities; encloses sketches, to be returned; William Hutchinson of Hythe, [Kent], [Patrick] Keith [(1769-1840)] author of "Physiological Botany", Robert Price of Lyminge, [Kent], and himself all think it is variety of 'O. apifera'; detailed history and observations.

Provides localities for various local plants.

Encloses specimen of 'Cyperus longus', and remarks and sketch of an unidentified grass, to be returned, and sketch of floret and advanced seed vessel of 'Phyteuma spicatum'. Lost most of his 'Ophrys' specimens; encloses one.

His pleasure at receiving so flattering a letter from Smith, "what a charm is thrown by this delightful science over the most dull & painful hours of sickness".

[Separate note] Does not believes colour should be used as a character for 'Ophrys apifera'; remarks on its colour.

List of plants he considers not generally known, offers to send any specimens: 'Epilobium [densum]', 'E. spicatum', 'Ononis spinosa', 'O. arvensis', 'Iris', 'Tormentilla media', 'Veronica decumbens', and 'V. praecox'.

His son [George William Clinton] who is destined for the medical profession, is enthusiastic in the pursuits of natural history and admires Smith and is sending him some specimens, hints that an acknowledgment would be appreciated. Received Smith's of 26 June. Comments on how much the names of [Thomas William Coke] and Smith are appreciated in his country. [David] Hosack has married "an excellent woman with a splendid fortune".

Small newspaper clipping attached entitled "More Wonders", a humorous piece on natural history curiosities and "gentlemens' corsets".

Thanks for Smith's hospitality in England; sending specimens. Encloses sheet of queries, Smith has inserted his answers to these.

Observations on the moving of Ireland's only indigenous heath to the genus 'Dabaecia' [sic]. Asks whether any of the four English heaths are wild in Ireland and if not whether the bogs of Ireland are composed of the roots of 'Salix herbacea' or 'Dabaecia', or another plant. Asks whether 'Erica vulgaris', 'Erica cernua' or 'Erica tetralix' are found along with 'Erica vagans' in Cornwall.

[Duppa incorrectly names 'Dabaecia', which is a non-existent genus. Pleasance Smith (see PubInNote below) believes he probably meant 'Menziesia', and says the Irish heath plant was originally named 'Andromeda dabaecia' by Linnaeus].

Printing a "copious" index to his "History of Birds"; details of its intended size. Condolences on death of Samuel Goodenough; believes Smith and himself are only surviving founding members of Linnean Society.

Death of the Bishop [Samuel Goodenough]. His niece Ethel[red Catherine] Benett to be married to Lord Charles [Spencer-]Churchill [(1794-1840)], second son of the Duke of Marlborough [George Spencer-Churchill], details of a wedding visit by Murrays and Selways.

In postscript Lambert anxious to mention something that occured just before he left London [there are no details but his reference to old sayings "no good can come out of Israel" and "you cannot wash the blackamoor white" imply this may relate to Richard Salisbury]. Last sheets of "Description of the genus Pinus" are to be printed.

Informs Smith of the return of [David Douglas (1799-1834), plant collector and traveller], after two years exploring the Columbia River region on behalf of the Horticultural Society and Hudson's Bay Company. He saw a giant pine 19 feet in diameter and 215 feet high, amongst many other discoveries.

Thanks for turkey. The Duke of York in "the last stage of a hopeless case" [Prince Frederick (1763-1827), died 5 January 1827 of dropsy and apparent cardio-vascular disease]. Dares not mention the name he alluded to as the matter is not followed up, but it begins with an "H" [presumably the scandal involving a member of the Athenaeum mentioned in Goodenough's previous letter].

Cannot attend next week's Linnean Society anniversary meeting owing to illness and prior committment to attend two Episcopal meetings. Has not seen anything of Sir T[homas] Cullum or [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Fears he will not be able to go to Rose Castle this year, and Mrs Goodenough is exceedingly ill.

[Note by Pleasance Smith] last letter Goodenough sent to Smith before dying in Worthing, [Sussex], on 12 August 1827, buried in the North Cloister of Westminster Abbey close to his friend Dr [William] Markham, Archbishop of York [(1719-1807)]

[Letter possibly incomplete: address label is on a separate piece of paper, text of the letter appears extant]

Attended two Linnean Society meetings with [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert in chair. Attended Horticultural Society anniversary meeting but few members attended as they were electing new officers; a breakfast and general display of flowers and fruit is being held at Chiswick on 30th June. Davies Gilbert in chair at Royal Society meeting last night, after the readings they now retire to the library for tea and to view specimens of nature or art laid on a table. Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] at Linnean Club at Thatched House Tavern, alarmed by how ill he looks.