Thanks Smith for turkeys. Grateful for assistance Smith has given to Mr Home. Postscript of a short Christmas poem by Thomas Tusser, taken from Tusser's "Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry", remarks that it was first printed in 1557.
Discussion of Catholic Emancipation: Smith has great "liberality" on the subject but believes he is not fully informed and that the Dissenters are "very much deceived" if they think the Catholics will allow them to participate with them in power. Goodenough believes Catholics cannot act for themselves in anything concering religion, which is what would make them dangerous if they had power. Regrets that Oxford University have begun meddling in politics by proposing Lord Grenville [William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville (1759-1834), prime minister, 1806-1807] for Chancellor after he had avowed himself "the Champion of Catholic Emancipation". Goodenough hates the subject, particularly as his two sons in Christ Church have "most wantonly & contemptuously" opposed him.
Convinced 'Fucus discors' and 'Fucus abrotanifolius' are the same plant and advises Smith to consult [Elizabeth] Hill [(c 1760-1850), algologist] and [Amelia Warren] Griffiths [(1768-1858), algologist] for further details; the difference is only in the breadth of lower leaves, caused by the season of the year and depth of water. Returns Smith's drawings [of the two 'Fucus'] and thinks they are "expressive enough", showed them to Dr [George] Williams in Oxford but he is not a marine botanist. "Blepharanthis" has his full approbation.
In postscript reports on results of election for Oxford Chancellorship - Lord Grenville won by thirteen votes. Repeats that Smith's 'Fucus discors' is the 'discors' of [John] Stackhouse, Hill, Griffiths, and himself.
Enclosing 8 proofs of work [for "Lachesis Lapponica"]; they have taken care to make them exact facsimilies. Requests that the title mention "engravings by R T Austin".
Discussion of Catholic Emancipation: Smith calls himself a "heretic" but Goodenough shall not apply the term, believes "moderate men of all persuasions think pretty nearly alike". Believes Roman Catholics cannot yet be trusted with power, citing the example of their College of Maynooth, [The Royal College of St Patrick, established 1795, near Dublin, Ireland]. Thinks the Irish will join Napoleon until they gain not the level but the upper hand. Forwarded Smith's letter to [Amelia Warren] Griffiths [(1768-1858), algologist]. Shocked to see [Richard] Salisbury's "surreptitious anticipation" of [Robert] Brown's paper on the New Holland plants ['Proteaceae'] under the name of [George] Hibbert's [(1757-1837), merchant] gardener, [Joseph] Knight [(c 1777-1855)]. Refused to talk to Salisbury at the Royal Society meeting. Mrs Goodenough "nearly killed" falling down the stairs.
Asks after his previous letter [25 May 1809], knowing that Smith responded to Bivona; forwarding letter and box of plants from Bivona to Smith. The work he was printing when he last wrote to Smith is delayed, his other planned works. Sends plates [extant] from one of them, “Fasciculus novae vel minus Cognitarum Siciliae plantarum”, with queries for Smith to answer.
Two uncoloured plates of plants.
In response to Smith's request transcribes an account he previously sent [Dawson] Turner on 'Fucus abrotanifolius' and 'F.discors' being the same species. Has specimens of various ages to send Smith if desired.
His paper on ivy: has further observations; asks how the drawings would be effected if it is ever printed; unsure what to make of Sir Joseph Banks objecting to the printing of Banks' letter on ivy; asks Smith to send back the other papers he sent so he can edit them.