Professor of Physic will not oppose Smith giving lectures or using the Physic garden, and confident that if Smith's other friend exerts himself another curator of the garden will be gained in Smith's favour [in reference to Smith's campaign for Cambridge botany professorship]. Advises Smith to come in person to look over his interests. Asks if Smith is to make any alterations to "Flora Britannica" as he intends to have his bound.

Syndicate appointed to consider the erection of an observatory at Cambridge. Gives details of passage through the Senate. Was obliged for J. B. Biot's letter of introduction; found his talents and candor delightful. Had estimate from Edward Troughton for instruments for the Observatory. Printing of the examples began yesterday.

Sends specimens of American locust and Hessian fly from Judge [Richard] Peters [(1743-1828)], president of the Agricultural Society of Philadelphia, and seven papers also from Peters on these subjects.

Replies to Roscoe's letter of 18 November. Recovered from the most obstinate bowel complaint he has ever had, which confined him for three weeks. His hard work on [Abraham Rees'] "Cyclopedia", which is now coming to a close, prevents him from saying much on the "sad loss" of the Princess [Charlotte (1796-1817), only child of the Prince Regent]; wonders at possibility of a subscription for a national memorial, as with Waterloo subscription, with a school attached.

Congratulates Roscoe on opening of the Liverpool [Royal] Institution; anxious to see Roscoe's lecture in print; he and Mr Valpy do not know of anyone for the [Classical] tutor. Depending on his engagements accepts Roscoe's proposal [for Smith to lecture on botany]. Coke family "much shocked" by the sudden death of Lady [Elizabeth] Albemarle [(d 1815), first wife of William Charles Keppel, 4th Earl of Albemarle (1772-1849)] at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke], from a miscarriage. Glad that Franklin's letters have been published.

Has been touring Europe but nowhere has delighted him as much as Britain. His impressions of Paris: thinks the French have "not only hung up their harps but hung themselves up also", and though there are as many French here as previously, and there is hardly French character enough about Paris for it to be called the capital of France; great influx of English.

Requests information on Greek melons from the collections of Smith or Sibthorp. Refers to a "melopepon", called by the French "sucrin", and Aristotle's remarks on melons.

The deaths of Dr [Edward] Rigby's [(1747-1821)] quadruplets reported in the newspapers; Goodenough very interested in the case and presumes from their weight that they were very small. Informed that Princess Charlotte's baby weighed 10 lbs [4.5 kg]; before the birth her size was described as alarming [the baby was stillborn and Princess Charlotte died shortly afterwards].

[Thomas] Marsham, his wife, and remaining daughter have moved from Winchmore Hill to Piccadilly, opposite the Lodge in Green Park. Goodenough refuses to have anything more to do with him, and has since heard that he was given £2000 and £200 per annum after losing his job at the West India Docks, but all was seized by other creditors; despairs of the Linnean Society ever recovering the money. Some in the Society say it is obliged to Marsham. "Immense numbers" seeking admission to the Society but [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert could only name two scientific naturalists.

No summary available.

Will be a meeting of the Observatory Syndicate on Tuesday 16 Dec.; hopes that JH can come as his name has great weight.

Hopes Smith's health is better. Sends parcel of plants from [Jacob] Bigelow. Opinion on a pamphlet on young of snakes. Sent Smith's letter of introduction to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. New Derbyshire habitat for 'Clavaria ardenia'.

About friendship.

Received Smith's letter of 14 December; clarifies that whilst he appreciates Linnean Society members with "good pockets, but no brains" he only wanted to hold up the "evil of indiscriminate admission". Discusses [Thomas] Marsham's dishonesty regarding his taking Linnean Society money and how a gift of £2000 from directors of West India Docks was instantly seized by creditors; doubts the Society will ever recoup its money.

Thinks that if Princess Charlotte had been of "common rank" and had a glass of the "good creature" she would have survived [Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), daughter of George IV, died 6 November 1817 of complications following childbirth]. Hopes Smith received the barrel of oysters he sent. Sorry to see [William] Hone [(1780-1842), political writer and publisher] acquitted of ridiculing "the most sacred services of the Established Church"; "well disposed people are roused to see the danger of letting the ignorant rabble loose upon the venerable orders & ordinances of mankind", Goodenough expects a crisis soon.

Thanks for turkies and buns. Comments on Smith's article on botany in the "Scotch Encyclopedia" [Rees' "Cyclopedia"], which he had previously neglected to peruse; admires his defence of Linnaeus' natural classes but considers De Jussieu's system superior. Comments on the "immense" improvement in botany since he first started studying it, citing Smith and [James] Sowerby's "English botany", which would have saved him years of labour.

[Note in Smith's hand] this letter printed in "Selection of the Correspondence of Linnaeus" vol 2 p.577.

Thanks for turkey. Received letter and new work from [Augustin Pyramus] de Candolle who plans to come to England in May or June. Expecting sixth part of [Alexander von] Humboldt's "Nova genera et species", Humboldt planning to come to England in February. Asks after his paper on 'Cinchona' he sent Smith as he has additional observations to add.

Thanks for turkey. Pleased Smith's complaint is reducing but his measures not energetic enough; recommends 40 drops of laudanum a day, to add carbonate of ammonia to his camomile tea and tincture of 'Gentiana', to eat as much meat as possible, and to drink Bristol water, for several years.