Has been ill since 13 November. Unsurprised by manoeuvres of [William] Cobbett's [(1763-1835), political writer and farmer] inflaming "the passions of the ignorant" at a meeting held in York, believes the argument about the composition of the consitution too finely drawn for the "lower orders". Glad that Smith has ordered the 'Umbellatae', a class he has previously been confused by. Has not seen anything of Professor [Christian Friedrich] Schwaegrichen [(1775-1853)] after refusing [Archibald] Menzies request to support him for a Foreign Member of the Linnean Society.

Received Smith's letter of 30 April. Thinks Smith wise to stay in Clapton rather than London, where he would eat and drink more than he is used to. No longer has time to go over papers and only spoke of Latin errors in David Don's [(1799-1841), botanist] 'Saxifrafa' paper from first sight. Although [Richard] Taylor [(1781-1858), publisher] has exculpated himself to Smith over his reading of the hoax paper on robins Goodenough knows he had time to see it and seek advice whether to read it or not. Agrees with most of the Royal Society's statute revisions but uncertain about doubling the admission fee, supposes it may keep applications down and deter "society hunters".

Sent a barrel of oysters for Smith. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert in high spirits but Mrs [Catherine] Lambert worse than ever and never sees anyone. Smith's distinction between 'Geum' and 'Dryas' "very satisfactory" and Goodenough had not observed it before; singular generic character of 'Icosandria' so striking it makes one examine the plants carelessly.

They had a wintry summer and kept fires in all rooms as in the depth of winter, and garden produce was badly damaged: no apples, unripe pears, flavourless strawberries and raspberries, and corn very late and still green in fields on 3 November, but they produced mulberries only the third time and enjoyed a good peach harvest at the end of October. Less radicalism in his area of Cumberland. Comments on the difficulty of filling the positions of Attorney and Solicitor Generals due to the "great dearth of profound lawyers", similar to the lack of profound scholars in several of the learned professions.

Thanks for turkey. Mrs Goodenough and himself have been ill with the "epidemic cold" common in London, she was treated "very dextrously, & most humanely" by Dr [William George] Maton. Linnean Society council meeting called for Wednesday by [Alexander] Macleay but no indication of purpose; Wednesday also the general meeting for the National Schools so unsure of his attendance. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert just called on him "almost out of his wits" about the rarities brought from Mexico by [William] Bullock [(c 1780-1849), naturalist and antiquary] and Bullock's interviews with a great Spanish botanist, who escaped from the gallows of that country, and is the successor of D'Also "of great celebrity".

Thanks for the two volumes of "English Flora". Goodenough doubts the propriety of the Linnean Society opposing the new Asiatic Society's publication of descriptions of oriental productions to stop them from obtaining a charter as they would continue publishing without a charter, and in any case more publications excite more industry. Hopes [Alexander] Macleay did not propose it himself; suspects Joseph Sabine who is "warped by horticultural interests".

Sorry to hear Smith cannot come to London on 4 May. Spent the last three weeks confined with gout and the "epidemic cold". Sir James Graham of Netherby, his nearest Cumberland neighbour, has died after a ten day illness. [Alexander] Macleay has called a Linnean Society council meeting but not indicated its subject. Enjoying Smith's new work ["English Flora"], hopes to live to see the cryptogamia.

Sorry to hear Smith so unwell, offers to take the chair for Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Due to successively dine with [William George] Maton and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Recently saw Sir [Thomas] Cullum, he is in "blooming" health and forwarded Smith's note and enclosure to him. Lambert in dispute with Rodwell and Martin regarding new edition of his work on 'Pinus' and contemplating taken the matter to the Court of King's Bench.

Linnean Society anniversary meeting "went off most pleasantly" with at least ten more in attendance than last year. [William George] Maton, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, Sir Thomas Cullum, Provost of Eton [Joseph Goodall (1760-1840)], President of Horticultural Society [Thomas Andrew Knight], and [Walden Henry] Hanmer all attended but Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley did not. [William] Anderson [(1766-1846), Chelsea Physic Garden curator] exhibited some plants and [Robert] Brown attended the morning but did not dine. A small species of albatross, a penguin, and another aquatic bird were laid on the table. [Edward] Forster can inform Smith of the finances.

Informed by [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert that after the retirement of the company at the Linnean Society anniversary meeting dinner [Alexander] Macleay, Joseph Sabine, and others stayed in the room to make further speeches in spite of the numerous toasts made by Goodenough; thinks it copies "the habit of low societies [...] and utterly unworthy of the dignity of such a society as ours". Sabine has already given great offence after being chosen a member of their new club, the Athenaeum; did not invite Smith to join as he is so rarely in London but happy to propose him.

The lumbago he suffered from on his journey to Rose Castle has brought on gout. Relates an anecote relating to "the late sweet warbler" Mrs Sheridan and an apothecary. Smith must have enjoyed Sir Thomas Cullum staying.

Rose Castle gardens have suffered much, including goosberries, currants, and plums; a great loss for them living in a lone house so far from a town. Forwarded Smith's letter to Mrs Martin.

Royal Society Copley Medal awarded to Dr [John] Brinkley [(c 1763-1835), astronomer], the opponent of [John] Pond [(1767-1836), astronomer] as to the parallax of fixed stars. They [the Royal Society] cannot be accused of "any partiality to either of these great astronomers" though wishes that Pond's theory was right.

Reports that Mr Plumtree has become a member of the Athenaeum club, which now numbers 990; once 1000 has been reached members will be ballotted. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's parlour dog bit five of his household; the bitten parts were mostly cut out. Saw Sir Thomas Raffles [(1781-1826), founder of Singapore] yesterday; he looked as though he had not moved since they last saw him.

[Alexander] Macleay appointed to the Colonial Secretaryship in Botany Bay, [New South Wales]. Goodenough and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert propose either [Charles] Stokes [(1783-1853), stockbroker] or [James] Bicheno for Macleay's replacement as Linnean Society Secretary. Warns Smith of Joseph Sabine's "spirit of ascendancy" and his influence over [John] Lindley [(1799-1865), botanist].

Explains the enclosed "little note" [not extant] written by himself and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Reports that [James] Bicheno will accept the post of Linnean Society Secretary. Thinks [Robert] Brown unsuitable for the position but believes he would make a good President should Smith die or be removed, of which measure "more than a common hint has been thrown out". Goodenough long thought [Alexander] Macleay considered himself "master of the Society" and never troubled himself about the vice-presidents, which led Goodenough to withdraw from attending for several years past. Adds that if Brown were to be Secretary in a similar style to Macleay the Society would become the "cat's paw" of the Horticultural Society.

[Robert] Brown has declined the Linnean Society Secretaryship; it would be a waste of his "great talents". Unsurpised that [Alexander] Macleay should think the Secretaryship undervalued as he made himself President whilst the position by ordering councils without consulting any of the vice-presidents, contrary to the charter. Glad that Smith approves of [James] Bicheno.

Sorry to hear of Smith's loss in India but forwarded his letter to [William] Roscoe; worries about his friends in Madras, where the has been bad cholera. Sir Thomas Raffles [(1781-1826), founder of Singapore] is fitting up Sir Humphry Davy's house to make a large display of natural history specimens. There are many candidates for Linnean Society membership though unsure whether or not they are practical naturalists; has always feared an influx of unscientific persons. Has a "sort of dread" of the Horticultural Society.

Apologises for the trouble caused by [James] Bicheno taking issue with the Council meetings, though unsure why this should be as they are flexible and rarely held [Bicheno had been offered the position of Linnean Society Secretary]. Knows nothing of [Edward] Barnard but dreads "the interference of the busy Horticulturalists". Glad Smith agrees that [Robert] Brown's abilities make him unsuitable for the Secretary position.

Everyone agreed that the Catholic Association [Roman Catholic political organisation established by Daniel O'Connell to campaign for Catholic emancipation] should be put down yet insist on talking about it "forever".

Clarifies that [James] Bicheno never meant to refuse the Linnean Society Secretaryship. Cannot believe the report that [Edward] Barnard is to be appointed as he is too close to [Joseph] Sabine. Informed by [Alexander] Macleay that [Thomas] Marsham escaped repaying "his shameful fraud" in part by Macleay's ordering of Councils so late at night that Goodenough could not attend. Goodenough affronted by Sabine's request to subscribe to Macleay's portrait and a summons to the Society to arrange for it, as he has no authority to do so. Thinks Barnard will do as Sabine directs him.