a "dreadful" six day journey from Carlisle to London brought on gout. Discusses 'Nymphaea' as mentioned in Theophrastus, Dioscorides, and Stephen's "Thesaurus". Not surprised at [James] Donn's [(1758-1813), curator of Cambridge Botanic Garden] attacks on [George] Don if he "learned any of the tricks of Thomas Agnew, to whom he was second at Kew" [Donn had accused Don of using seeds from Cambridge to grow into plants to claim as indigenous to Scotland, see RelatedMaterial]. Thanks Smith for offer of a turkey. Has not had a chance to see the "Anti-Jacobin".

Thanks for the turkey. [James] Brodie sent a letter to Miss [Elizabeth] Hill [(c 1760-1850), algologist] via himself, in addition sent him specimens of '[Fucus] lycopodioides' and 'Brodiaea'. Received report from the Bishop of Chester [Henry Majendie (1764-1830)] that the King [George III (1738-1820)] is "perfectly well & in high spirits"; the "Jacobinical rumours" of abdication and regency border on treason. Sir Joseph Banks recovering from a slight attack of gout.

Has letter for Smith from [James] Brodie. Invites Smith to dinner before going on to the Linnean Society with [Thomas] Marsham, "the sight of the three fathers of the Society marching in together must be, as the French say, grand and magnificent". Has a copy of his sermon before the House of Lords on fast-day for Smith [see RelatedMaterial].

He has been collecting the palmated 'Saxifraga' for some years, and has cultivated them in every soil and situation to determine to settle which are species and which are varities, will send specimens of all those he thinks species.

Encloses specimens of 1. 'Saxifraga' from Angushire that may be two species or two varities [Smith annotation: "'pedatifida' Ehrhart"], observations; 2. 'Lamium' he sent last year [Smith annotation: "pray send seeds"]; 3. '[Lychnis] alpina' [Smith annotation: "HL"]; 4. a 'Juncus' distinct from common species [Smith annotation: "no"]. Observations on the 'Lamium'. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Encloses plant specimens, thinks most are new. Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. new 'Ranunculus' proposed name 'R. macrophizus' [Smith annotation: "same as D Turner's from Snowdon, acris?"]; 2. new 'Saxifraga' [Smith annotation: "same brought by [Turner] from Snowdon -new -petals round"]; 3. new 'Potentilla' [Smith annotation: "surely a variety of 'aurea'"]; 4. new 'Grimmia'. Has also enclosed specimen of 'Potentilla aurea' of "English botany" [Smith annotation: "new probably"]. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Encloses further plant specimens, some of which he believes are new to Britain. Numbered observations on enclosed plants: 1. 'Glechoma', possibly 'G. hirsuta' [Smith annotation: "var[iet]y of 'hederacea' with abortive anthers?"]; 2. 'Saxifraga' he thought a hybrid between 'S. hypnoides' and 'S. geranoides' [Smith annotation: "'pedatifida'?"]; 3. 'Saxifraga' previously sent on 3 April 1807; 4. possible 'Viola uniflora' [Smith annotation: "'lactea' var."]; 5. possible 'Viola pumila' [Smith annotation: "Mr Crowe's little shrubby violet?"]; 6. 'Viola' from Ben Lawers distinct from 'V. trivalis'; 7. possible 'Sirapus alba' [Smith annotation: "I think so"]. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Encloses further specimens, numbered observations: 1. an 'Aira' [Smith annotation: "In HL from Lapl[an]d. I think it new 'A. vivipara' JES"]; 2. 'Erigeron uniflorum' [Smith annotation: "right"]; 3. new 'Saxifraga'; 4. a 'Saxifraga' the same as his no.4 in letter of 17 December 1808; 5. 'Geum' close to 'G. rivale' [Smith annotation: 'rivale?'].

Necessity for someone with books and botanical knowledge to publish a monograph on palmated 'Saxifraga'; difficulty of recognising the species in "Flora Britannica". Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Numbered observations on enclosed plants: 1. 'Orabus angustifolius', which he has also previously [Smith annotation: "no" "'tuberosus' ß Will[deno]w"]; 2. 'Thlaspi hirtum' [Smith annotation: "exactly mine"]; 3. new 'Avena' proposes 'A. alpina' [Smith annotation: "pubescens?"]. Observation on 'Thlaspi' specimens. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. a rose discovered by H Templeton; 2. variety of 'Rosa spinosissima' [Smith annotation: "right 'cyphiana'"; 3. a rose differing from 'Rosa spinosissima'; 4. true 'Erigernon alpinum' [Smith annotation: "right"]; 5. 'Erigernon uniflora' [Smith annotation: "right"].

Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith. After weighing the letter was forced to take out the two 'Erigernon' specimens.

Encloses a specimen of 'Chaerophyllum' which he formerly sent via [Charles] Lyell, which he previously intended to call 'C. pubescens' [Smith annotation: "'C. aureum'"]. Encloses 'Erigernon' specimens left out of his last letter. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Uncertain where to forward [George] Don's late "lucubrations" to Smith. Finds that 'Bromus racemosus' is the most common grass in his fields, and has 'Hieracium murorum' growing upon the walls of Rose Castle; offers to send specimen to [James] Sowerby.

When reading in [George] Don's letters he is struck with "the simplicity of his style, & the acuteness of his remarks". Hopes to hear from Smith soon, wishes he would visit "this retired Philosophical spot"; one of the area's two botanists brought him specimens of 'Rubus sylvaticus' and 'Cistus heliantheum' to have planted in the garden, fears he lost his botanical standing by confusing the 'Cistus' with 'Vaccinium'.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. native 'Agrostis arundinacea' [Smith annotation: "'Arundo neglecta' Ehrhart. Can it be Knapp's 'calamagrostis'?"]; 2. 'Rubus' like 'R. fruticosus' [Smith annotation: "I cannot make it out"]; 3. full grown seed vessels of 'Thlaspi hirtum' and what he calls 'T. incana'; 4. 'Galium uliginosum' [Smith annotation: "right (burnt the spec[ime]n)"]. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Encloses further specimens he hopes will be new to British flora. Numbered observations: 1. 'Galium witheringia' [Smith annotation: "right!"]; 2. 'Gnaphalium' like close to 'germanica', supposes 'Filago arvenses' of Withering [Smith annotation: "'germanicum'?"]; 3. variety of 'Achillea millefolium' [Smith annotation: "a var[iet]y of 'millefolium'"]; 4. a 'Daucus' like 'D. carota' [Smith annotation: "'Carota'?"]. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Numbered observations on enclosed plants: 1. two varities of true 'Hieracium paniculatum' of Linnaeus; 2. a 'Thalictrum' distinct from 'T. minus'; 3. a 'Hypericum' possible hybrid of 'H. hirsutum' and 'H. quadrangulum' [Smith annotation: "wrote March 20 1810, surely only 'hirsutum' in a wet soil"]. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith, apologises for inconvenience to Goodenough.

"What an indefatigable creature is this [George] Don?". Asks if Don is right about 'Agrostis arundinacea', thinks it may be an 'Arundo epigeios'; 'Thlaspi hirtum' and 'T. incanum' appear distinct. Invites Smith to visit in August; has just discovered a botanist in his neighbourhood who is a Cambridge man and may prove more than an amateur, of which he already has two.

Numbered observations on enclosed plants: 1. a 'Lemna' like 'L. trifolia'; 2. an 'Equisetum' with habit of 'E. variegatum'; 3. a 'Potamogeton' possibly 'P. graminosum'; 4. a 'Poa' probably not variety of 'P. nemoralis' [Goodenough annotation: "'Poa angustifolia'? S.C."]; 5. possible 'Festuca triflora'. Will be among the 'Hieraciums' next, when he will be able to "puzzel [sic] all the Botanists of England". Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Encloses specimens of 'Hieracium', which are "truly intricate like the willows and some other families", believes no one can judge of between species and varities unless they cultivate them; numbered observations: 1. 'Hieracium ramosum' said to be native of Hungary; 2. 'H. kalmii', contrary to Goodenough's claim distinct from 'H. prenanthoides'; 3. a 'Hieracium' he previoulsy thought described in "Flora Britannica". Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Encloses specimen of true 'Hieracium prenanthoides'. Numbered observations on additional enclosed specimens: 1. an unknown 'Hieracium'; 2. possible 'H. kalmii' raised from seed by Mr Mackay; 3. a 'Hieracium' grown by late [William] Curtis in his Lambeth garden, never found wild, raised from seeds sent by [James] Donn [(1758-1813), curator of Cambridge Botanic Garden] under names of 'H. cornatum' and another.

Constantly reminded of Smith by his "very assiduous & ever-to-be-encouraged correspondent Mr G[eorge] Don". Made to doubt his own knowledge after seeing Don's "acute observations", and wonder "where have all these things lain since the days of Adam, that no one should have noticed them before". Does not wish for Smith to be charged for any of [the Don letters and plant specimens]. Eagerly awaiting confirmation of Smith's visit.