Saw Sir Thomas Cullum, who will not be at Bury, [Suffolk], when Smith intends to visit, so recommends that Smith come to them. Agrees with Smith on 'Salix' except for Smith not adopting 'S. borreriana'. Linnean Society elected 10 FMLS last night, [Aimé] Bonpland [(1773-1858), botanist] and Sayr were excluded. Alternative arrangements should Hale End be too far for reaching London.

[Letter incomplete: address label removed, obscuring text on verso of second folio]

Thanks Smith for showing his book "Amoenitates Italicae" to the Linnean Society. Sending another of his publications, "Praelectiones rei herbariae quae et prolegomena ad floram Italicam" via Professor Amici of Modena. Praise of Smith's "English Flora" and "Flora Graeca" as giving the "best direction" for his own work. Thanks for election as FMLS. Would appreciate advice on 'Scabiosa gramontia' and 'Scabiosa columbaria', referring Smith to pages from "Amoenitates Italicae" and adds a clarification of his classification . Offers to send any Italian plants Smith may require.

Laments that his "life has long been a heavy burthen". Encloses his "first step" towards a herbarium. Never heard whether [Thomas] Rackett received his letter on red viper or whether it was read at Linnean Society.

Encloses an arrangement of the species and varieties of 'Salix' compiled by his late gardener [George] Sinclair and asks Smith's opinion prior to Smith examining his collection at Woburn Abbey. Offers to accompany Smith from London to Woburn Abbey.

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.

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]

Sends this via his niece, Elizabeth Daulby, who is giving evidence on Miss Turner's bill in the House of Lords [annulment of marriage between Ellen Turner and E G Wakefield]. Also sends specimens of flower and fruit of 'Amomum Melegueta' preserved in spirits and his accounts of 'Matonia' and 'Amomum' for Smith's opinion; has asked Mr Graves to show Smith the figures of 'Matonia renealmia' and 'Amomum melegueta' [for Roscoe's "Monandrian Plants"].

Informed by Mr Martin [Smith's brother-in-law] that his son, Frederick, has secured his degree and is likely to become tutor to Lord Lindsay and his brother, heirs of the Ancaster family; hopes this will alleviate some of the Martin family's misfortunes. Concedes to Smith's opinions regarding a cryptogamic volume following ["English Flora"].

His friend and partner, [Thomas] Leyland [(? 1752-1827), merchant and banker], died last Sunday, leaving a rumoured £1,500,000. Broods on his increasing physical and mental debilities and recent deaths of his only sister, most of his old companions, his son Robert's only son, and daughter Levon's daughter. Sends copy of American book just received.

Appoints Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough], [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, [William George] Maton, and [Edward Smith-]Stanley as Vice-Presidents of the Linnean Society.