Dionysius Lardner is candidate for Dublin Observatory. Please send Edward Sabine's paper on longitude.

On the questions of the usefulness of occultations and the use of mean time in astronomy, JH would much value WS's opinions.

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]

Comments on GA's response to an offer from Dublin [see JH's 1827-4-7]; also about the discussion in the Council of the R.S.L. of a report of experiments from William Whewell and GA; JH makes some disparaging remarks about the work of John Pond.

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.

No news of Dublin. Remarks on a series of experiments. Observations on JH's paper on the Nautical Almanac.

Received the first volume of Johann Pfaff's German translation of William Herschel's papers. Just completed a second catalog of double stars; review of nebulae going slowly. JH comments on his precise sweeps.

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.

Would have answered his last letter sooner but has been confined to his house. Encloses specimen of calcareous spar. Has in the past carried out many experiments on this substance. Is he satisfied with a statement in the Optical Glass report? Missing Transactions for the library.

Informs TT that the R.S.L. will print his paper on chromium. Discusses results obtained in TT's experiments.

She 'can only think of what is past, and is for ever forgetting the present.'

Regarding the telescope of the Rev. [T. J.?] Hussey of Chislehurst.

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.

Corrects yesterday's mistake about 'Russian Platina.' It is chemically pure, but mechanically the worst.

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]

Suggests change in composition of a pot to be made by [Apsley] Pellatt for an experiment.

Further observations on JH's paper on the Nautical Almanac.

Discusses JH's efforts to send various publications to JL and to receive publications from JL. Hopes Franz von Gruithuisen, whose 'strange' lunar observations are causing controversy, will come to England with his telescope. Discusses JH's progress in preparing a catalog of nebulae.

A silly imaginary dialogue among JH's servants, and about JG's travels in Devonshire.