Forwarded Smith's letter to Dr [John] Sims [(1749-1831), physician]. Suffering from a "smartish fit of gout". The engagement of a reader makes sitting in the chair at the Linnean Society "very pleasant". Wonders how the Society can express its dissatisfaction at [Richard] Salisbury's disrespectful treatment of [Robert] Brown [Salisbury's publication of names of 'Proteacea' first described by Brown, see RelatedMaterial]. The Parliamentary "storm" has begun. Glad Smith is so earnest about the fourth volume of "Flora Britannica". [Alexander] MacLeay "most dangerously ill with an inflammation in his bowels", concerned for his wife and twelve children.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. a 'Conferva'; 2. a 'Splachnum', possibly 'S. fastigiatum'; 3. a 'Byssus' or 'Bryum'; 4. possible variety of 'Bryum turbinatum'; 5. possible 'Bryum annotinum'; 6. 'Dicranum undulatum'; 7. a 'Dicranum' not 'D. longifolium'; 8. a 'Dicranum' either 'D. rigidulum' or 'D. varens'; 9. a 'Dicranum' distinct from 'D. rigidulum' or 'D. varens'; 10. a 'Dicranum'; 11. a 'Hypnum'; 12. a 'Hypnum'; 13. a 'Hypnum'; 14. a 'Lichen'; 15. a 'Lichen'; 16. a 'Lichen'; 17. a 'Lichen'; 18. a 'Lichen'; 19. a 'Lichen'; 20. a 'Lichen'; 21. a 'Lichen'; 22. a 'Hypnum'. Asks after items and specimens sent to [James] Sowerby and [Charles] Lyell. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Forwarded Smith's letter to George Don and [Pleasance] Smith's letter to Miss Casmajor. Informs Pleasance Smith he has read and profited from [John] Gay's [(1685-1732), poet and dramatist] "Fables". Hopes Smith fulfills his pledge of publishing fourth volume of "Flora Britannica" this spring. 'Hieracium murorum' growing in garden walls of Rose Castle, fears this information will be too late for Smith to publish and suggests including in Smith's next publication of Don's species. Cold weather has made his gout linger. An angry debate is coming up in Parliament; weary of party politics but this is preferable to Lord Grenville [William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville (1759-1834), prime minister 1806-1807] coming in with the "hungry, unprincipled fellows that must come in with him, both in Church & State". Pities Napoleon's new Austrian wife [Marie Louise of Austria (1791-1847), married 11 March 1810], "she is a good figure, it is said, & a fine shape, but her face is not handsome - rather short & wide" and fears for her happiness should she be infertile.

Just received Goodenough's letter about 'Avena alpina' and 'Arundo neglecta'; response. Would like to buy Schrader's "Flora Germanica". Observations on Goodenough's remarks on 'Hieracium' and 'Galium', confident he has all the nondescript and new ones described in "Flora Britannica". Thanks for seeds. Goodenough mistaken about 'Chironia' and 'Exacum'; observations. Has grown 'Pinguicula vulgaris', observations. Found 'Chironia centaurium', observed that it takes two seasons to vegetate.

Observations on enclosed specimens: 1-6. specimens of a 'Lichen' in every state of growth possible; further discussion of cryptogams.

His brother who lived near Sir William East's in Hurley was so captivated by the "poisonous doctrines of Voltaire & the new philosophy" that he thought he had a right "to go out of life as soon as he was tired of it". Franked Smith's letter to Mr Shepherd. Glad to hear that [George] Don is keen to increase his communications; takes it as a sign for his desire of improvement. The carnations Smith sent are alive and growing; they are being kept in the original ball of earth, wrapped in newspaper, and the whole constantly moistened as he kept the roots of 'Ligustium cornubiense' before planting at Bulstrode [home of Dukes of Portland]. The name of Bulstrode "agitates his mind. 'Monotropa hypopitys' used to grow in Bisham woods, [Berkshire], was sent it from there by Revd Sir Henry Parker. 'Primula farinosa' lining roadsides and over meadows in Cumberland, took roots of it for his garden.

Numbered observations on enclosed plants, gathered on trip to Angushire coast in summer of 1809: 1. 'Dactylis glauca', differences between it and 'D. glomerata'; 2. 'Festuca glauca'; 3. 'Aira'; 4. 'Poa' possibly 'P. bulbosa'; 5. 'Poa procumbens' first time found in Scotland; 6. 'Poa' possible variety of 'P. pratensis', proposes name 'P. pubescens'; 7. new 'Poa' proposes name 'P. depaupirata'.

Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

"Wonderful [George] Don! What things he finds!", will forward letter to Norwich. 'Sedum ochroleucum' just on point of flowering and the two carnations growing well. Lists the rarities in his garden, in hope of tempting Smith to visit Rose Castle: 'Orobus sylvaticus', 'Alchemilla alpina', 'Campanula rotundifolia' (Scotch variety), 'Vaccinium oxycoccos', 'Sedum ochroleucum', 'Eryngium alpinum', 'Hieracium mucorum'.

Numbered observations on enclosed grasses: 1. 'Poa glauca'; 2. a 'Poa' distinct from 'P. glauca' and 'P. gromerata'; 3. a 'Poa' like no.2 but in a different colour; 4. 'Poa' like 'P. memoralis', hopes Schrader's "Flora Germanica" will throw light on it, impatient to hear from Goodenough on that matter; 5. 'Avena' [Goodenough annotation: proposes name 'A. distans']; 6. 'Festuca' like 'F. casia' [Smith annotation: "'rubra'? not near 'casia'"]; 7. 'Poa' possible variety of 'P. pratensis'; has a new 'Rosa' like 'R. involuta' [Smith annotation: "does it differ from 'remota'?"]; 8. 'Carex' possibly 'C. straminea' of Willdenow.

He has 2 varities of 'Chaerophyllum aureum'; observations on plants growing on them. Two different species of 'Rosa spinosissima', one of which would answer to name 'R. glauca'. After further examination convinced the 'Glechoma' he previously sent is a species.

Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Numbered observations on enclosed plants: 1. a 'Rosa' which he proposes naming 'R. nivalis'; 2. a 'Rosa' he proposes naming 'R. glauca'. Going to mountains of Bredalbane and Ben Lawers tomorrow in hope of finding rarities.

Sends specimen of 'Festuca' which he has cultivated for 3 years, lists marks of distinction from 'F. elatior', proposes name 'F. longifolia' or 'F. altissimo'. Also encloses piece of stem of 'F. elatior'.

Sends two more packets from "the wonderful man" [George Don], thinks Don's 'Rosa glauca' should be named 'Rosa sanguisorbifolia' on account of the leaf. His field containing 'Galium witheringii' has been mowed but will search for more and send to [James] Sowerby if successful, did not realise it was so rare to Smith.

On first looking at the 'Rosa glauca' he thought it had the exact leaf of 'Sanguisorba officinalis'.

Recently dispateched fresh and dried specimens of 'Galium witheringii' for [James] Sowerby to figure. The plant grows in moist but "barrenised" part of Bank meadow, near Rose Castle, alongside 'Linum catharticum', small 'Agrostis vulgaris', and 'Potentilla anserina'. Believes the sparse vegetation of this part of the meadow is due to eing fertilised late in the season with coal ash. Brief description of appearance of 'Galium witheringii'. Sent Smith two letters from [George] Don.

Had a successful botanical excursion to Ben Lawers, though was sorry to just miss [William] Borrer.

Encloses lichens and mosses. Numbered remarks on enclosed specimens: 1. 'Carex ustulata' of Wahlenberg; 2. 'Erioparum gracile' of "Annals of Botany"; 3. 'Cerastium' proposes name 'nivalis'; remarks on 'Festuca' he sent in last letter; 4. 'Dicranum longifolium'; 5. 'Gymnostomum luteolum'.

Intends to visit mountains of Clova soon. 'Andromeda caeruleo' has been found in Scotland, though not by himself.

He has just received two specimens of 'Andromeda caerulea', one of which he encloses and the other he sends to [James] Brodie; discovered by his friends Messrs James and Brown, nurserymen, who accompanied him on his first Highland excursions on his return from England, where they discovered: 'Juncus castaneus', 'Carex pulla', 'Festuca calamaria', 'Spergula saginoides', 'Bartsia alpina', 'Veronica saxatilis', and 'Convalaria verticillata', between 1786 and 1792, "long before the late [John] Mackay [(1772-1802), nurseryman and gardener] knew anything whatever about plants", they sent specimens to both Mackay and Dickson.

Numbered observations on enclosed plants: 2. 'Carex leptalea' of Wahlenberg; 3. 'Eriophorum scheuchzeri', only specimen he has found of it, requests its return; 4. 'Spartum'; encloses specimen of 'Carex diocia' for comparison with the 'C. leptalea'l; 5. 'Carex'; 6. 'Poa' possibly 'P. pumilis'.

Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Thinks German botanist [Johannes] Flüggé [(1775-1816)] is correct in use of 'Paspalus' over 'Paspalum'; discusses the etymology, there can be "no dependence upon Linnaeus for learned criticism". 'Datura stramonium' is "equally efficacious with the foreign plant [unspecified]" for curing the "asthma with paroxysms". His yellow carnation has not flowered this year. Harvest now in great activity, they have had a few days of curious weather. Recently endured a very wet botanical excursion with his family into the high mountains, gathered 'Lycopodium selago', 'Lycopodium clavatum', 'Lycopodium alpinum', 'Empertum nigrum', 'Pteris crispa', 'Aspidium thelypteris', 'Parnassia palustris', and a few Lichens. Growing very fond of Rose Castle and area.

About to set out for London, hopes to be there for Royal Society anniversary meeting. The King [George III (1738-1820)] is ill and everyone in suspense over the consequences of the illness, hopes they will wait in patience for his recovery, which seems promising. Was heavily involved in the first edition of "Hortus Kewensis" and thinks it highly useful. [Jonas] Dryander's death a "dreadful loss", praises his skills as a librarian, work on catalogue of [Sir Joseph] Banks' library, and his character.

Smith's reply to Goodenough's letter dated 9 November 1810. Confident of the King's [George III (1738-1820)] recovery but waits for the "authentic declaration of the physician's opinion". Agrees with Goodenough's eulogy of [Jonas] Dryander's character. [Alexander] Macleay and [Thomas] Marsham agree with Smith in proposing [John] Symmons for Dryander's replacement as vice-president. Death of Lady East, is suffering from dropsy, is imminent; praises her character. Profits by society of Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)]. [Robert] Brown is Dryander's replacement as Sr Joseph Banks' librarian. Hopes [new edition of] "Hortus Kewensis" will continue.

Impossible to find one single person to fill all the roles [Jonas] Dryander performed, especially someone with knowledge of all Sir Joseph Banks' collections. Proposes [Thomas] Marsham as Dryander's replacement for vice-president of the Linnean Society, citing example of the Royal Society Treasurer who is always a vice-president. Thinks Smith's choice of [John] Symmons unsuitable as he has discontinued his attendance at the Linnean Society for years and no longer has a strong interest in natural history. Believes Marsham expects to be appointed.

Resolved a dispute between [William Elford] Leach and [William] Bullock [(fl 1790s-1840s)] at the Linnean Society, in part by giving a sketch of the origin of the Society, owing its stability to "never admitting society hunters, but only practical men who would have an interest in its welfare". One party wanted to propose a vote of censure and put it to the ballot on the same night, "quite illegal". The matter was settled after Leach wrote a letter of apology.

Smith's reply to Goodenough's letter dated 5 December 1810. Thanks Goodenough for his "most judicious & able conducting" of the last Linnean Society meeting [resolving a dispute between William Elford Leach and William Bullock (fl 1790s-1840s)]. Agrees that [Thomas] Marsham is the best candidate for vice-president of the Society but is hurt that Marsham has hinted to others he expects to be appointed, despite having previously rejected the office. Intends to postpone the appointment of a vice-president and would like Marsham to explicitly state his desire for the role. Goodenough should put anyone he thinks suitable into the Council except [John] Symmons, lest it fuel rumours of his being appointed vice-president. Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)] moving to London soon having bought a house in Welbeck Street.

Clarifies that [Thomas] Marsham has not positively said he wants the appointment of vice-president of Linnean Society; Goodenough has only inferred that he wants it. States Marsham's qualities for the position against [John] Symmons' unsuitability. Possible attack of gout coming on. The King [George III (1738-1820)] is getting better and had "no alientation of mind" for the greatest part of the week. Considers the King a personal friend after he took the whole responibility of Goodenough's appointment as Bishop of Carlisle.