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.

Explains to GA the disposition, by the Committee on Papers of the R.S.L., of GA's experimental results [see JH's 1827-5-3].

Describes prismatic spectrum of flame of cyanogen and offers to repeat experiment with Michael Faraday for JH's benefit.

Unable to attend [R.S.L.] council meeting.

Thanks managers of Royal Institution for generosity in offering facilities [to Optical Glass Committee] for erection of a furnace.

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.

Will be out of town for next [R.S.L.?] council meeting. Comments on glass subcommittee report.

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