Thanks for turkey. Linnean Society Council called, presumably to discuss [Thomas] Marsham's "wretched behaviour" [constant delays in repaying money he took from the Society]. Always thought Marsham would forsake the debt. [Alexander] Macleay and [Robert] Brown are in charge of the business but doubts their abilities. Goodenough thinks the actions of several leading members in screening Marsham has encouraged him to deceive the Society and set a bad example to other officers. Received Smith's "Compendium [florae Britannicae"]. Has Smith's copy of "Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis".

Attended Linnean Society Council meeting yesterday, along with [Alexander] Macleay, [Edward] Forster, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, [Thomas] Thomson [(1773-1852), chemist], [Daniel] Moore, and [Joseph] Sabine. Unanimous resolution reached that [Thomas] Marsham should either "confess judgement", otherwise proceeded against immediately as it would then be clear he has no intention to repay his debt. Macleay read a letter from Marsham defending himself; Goodenough also received a letter from Marsham bragging of his honour, that he will repay the principal and interest shortly, and that he borrowed the money from the Society. Goodenough's good opinion of Marsham entirely changed and will not allow any consideration of him stand in the way of the welfare of the Society.

Received Smith's letter of 28 January. Glad that Smith and everyone else agrees with the Council resolution regarding [Thomas] Marsham, though Marsham has requested an explanation of what "confessing judgement" means. Goodenough certain that Marsham will not repay the money unless he is compelled. Reviews the "Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis"; disappointed by the "celebrated Fiorin grass" and doubts whether it should be called variety of 'Agrostis stolonifera' as the book claims, but thinks it "dog cheap" at three guineas.

Reassures Smith he franked Smith's letter to Mrs Martin, comment on Mrs Lloyd. Will be pleased to look over ["Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis"] with Smith; guards his copy and has only allowed [Edward] Rudge to view it, under supervision. Complained to Linnean Society about their habit of holding Council meetings late in the evening, which means he cannot attend, and against the Horticultural Society using the Society's rooms. [Thomas] Marsham has repaid £50 but Goodenough distressed to see the former resolution to make Marsham confess judgement has not been implemented and the business has been given to [Daniel] Moore.

Will give Smith's message about Norwich societies to Lord Sidmouth [Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757-1844), Home Secretary 1812-1822]. [Henry] Hunt's meetings [(1773-1835), radical speaker] are fueling disorder amongst the "lower orders"; there are reports of respectable women being accosted for money on quiet streets and Goodenough himself was "accosted very rudely" in his own street.

Relates message from Lord Sidmouth [Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757-1844), Home Secretary 1812-1822] following receipt of Smith's message: does not trust any information not supported by substantial facts, and assures him he knows everything that is or has been going on at Norwich.

Forwarded Smith's letter to Mr Napier. Pleased Smith will be at Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Hears from [Alexander] MacLeay that [Thomas] Marsham is unwell; hopes this is not a ruse to avoid payment of the money Marsham owes the Society. Smith's information about [Edward] Rudge "without a shadow of foundation".

Amazed by birth of quadruplets to Dr [Edward] Rigby's [(1747-1821)] wife. Fine weather in Cumberland after weeks of rain, though the temperature has always been high; there were swifts until 23 August which is late for the area. Smith's account of being given 'Juncus trifidus' as a new plant reminds Goodenough of the time [William] Withering sent him 'Eriophorum vaginatum' as a new 'Carex glavcosa'. Disappointed that Dawson Turner does not finish his "Fucus". Unsurprised that [Thomas] Marsham's children are marrying to escape their uncomfortable house. Hopes Mrs Lloyd will not offend Smith. Hopeful of a lengthy tranquility in Europe if not pulled into the "American vortex", and glad that no one in Parliament condemned Buonaparte "being prevented from bustling about amongst us again". His 'Lathyrus batifolius' and carnations have performed poorly this year.

Does not see a connection between the birthing and the death of one of Dr [Edward] Rigby's [(1747-1821)] quadruplets. Surprised that it took Smith so long to find 'Thlaspi arvense'; recalls finding it in abundance in the turnip and corn fields of Brompton, Oxfordshire, from whence he sent it to [William] Curtis for "Flora Londinensis" and supplied the London cultivators with seeds.

Glorious weather for the last six weeks but sharp frosts at night, heralded by the arrival of the Barnacle goose 'Anas erythropus'. Discusses Linnaeus' naming of two species under 'erythropus', his own being the male, and [John] Latham's 'albifrons' being the female. Thinks [Dawson] Turner undertook too much with his "Fucus". Ashamed by [Thomas] Marsham's behaviour [repeated delays in repaying money owed to Linnean Society]. Has not seen any of [John] Stackhouse's work but never had any opinion of his "skill or candour". Surprised that Sir Joseph Banks is to make his Lincolnshire journey, and admires the Bishop of Durham's [Shute Barrington] activity at the age of 85 and a half. [Elizabeth] Hill [(c 1760-1850), algologist] in distressed circumstances and contemplating teaching marine botany.

Franked Smith's letter to [John Eddowes] Bowman. The line of distinction between 'Veronica hybrida' and 'Veronica spicata' is imperfectly marked, recalls having plants of both in his Ealing garden. Certain that Linnaeus was incorrect in labelling 'Anas albifrons' the female of 'Anas erythropus', as proved by his having obtained a female specimen of the latter.

Thinks it strange that Dr [Edward] Rigby's [(1747-1821)] quadruplets died so suddenly and without apparent cause. His daughter, Mrs Lynn, became ill with a fever whilst visiting with five of her nine children; Goodenough had to treat her himself with "a good bleeding", diluting and refrigerant liquids, and gentle purgatives. Cumberland farmers finishing their harvests, typhus fever has been worse than usual there this autumn.

Frustrated by the shortsightedness of his servants who do not consider the seven mile journey to Carlisle necessary to procure anything. Interested by all details of the birth and extreme suddeness of deaths of Dr [Edward] Rigby's [(1747-1821)] quadruplets; would like there to be a postmortem carried out on the last to die. Typhus fever endemic in the unclean parts of Carlisle, although it was only noticed after one of the physicians died of it; Goodenough thinks he might have recovered had he been allowed enough wine.

Seeing the pods of 'Thlaspi arvense' reminded him of his father's Oxfordshire home and the plant being mentioned in [William] Curtis' "Flora Londinensis", which he now reads for the comfort it brings in reminding him of old friends. Recently received as "rarities" 'Erysimum barbarea' and 'Agrostemma coronaria' but has not yet received 'Potentilla rupestris'. Remarks on a theory of Dr Clarke's regaring the tomb of Joseph and the Pyramids. Cumberland hills covered in snow, some "lazy" farmers still have cut corn in the fields.

The deaths of Dr [Edward] Rigby's [(1747-1821)] quadruplets reported in the newspapers; Goodenough very interested in the case and presumes from their weight that they were very small. Informed that Princess Charlotte's baby weighed 10 lbs [4.5 kg]; before the birth her size was described as alarming [the baby was stillborn and Princess Charlotte died shortly afterwards].

[Thomas] Marsham, his wife, and remaining daughter have moved from Winchmore Hill to Piccadilly, opposite the Lodge in Green Park. Goodenough refuses to have anything more to do with him, and has since heard that he was given £2000 and £200 per annum after losing his job at the West India Docks, but all was seized by other creditors; despairs of the Linnean Society ever recovering the money. Some in the Society say it is obliged to Marsham. "Immense numbers" seeking admission to the Society but [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert could only name two scientific naturalists.

Received Smith's letter of 14 December; clarifies that whilst he appreciates Linnean Society members with "good pockets, but no brains" he only wanted to hold up the "evil of indiscriminate admission". Discusses [Thomas] Marsham's dishonesty regarding his taking Linnean Society money and how a gift of £2000 from directors of West India Docks was instantly seized by creditors; doubts the Society will ever recoup its money.

Thinks that if Princess Charlotte had been of "common rank" and had a glass of the "good creature" she would have survived [Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), daughter of George IV, died 6 November 1817 of complications following childbirth]. Hopes Smith received the barrel of oysters he sent. Sorry to see [William] Hone [(1780-1842), political writer and publisher] acquitted of ridiculing "the most sacred services of the Established Church"; "well disposed people are roused to see the danger of letting the ignorant rabble loose upon the venerable orders & ordinances of mankind", Goodenough expects a crisis soon.