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.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Reports that [John] Haviland, Regius Professor of Physic and a trustee of Dr [John] Walker's [(1731-1803) professor of natural history] botanical readership, is opposed to [Thomas] Martyn resigning if it causes an election, in which case he [Peacock] would have to prefer a university member candidate. Haviland is under the influence of Dr [James] Wood [(1760-1839)], the current vice-chancellor, who is strongly prejudiced against Smith. For certain success, as [William] Webb is to be the next vice-chancellor, proposes Smith gains three trustees' support and have Martyn resign without conditions. Recommends Provost of King's College [George Thackeray] as best conduit for Smith's wishes. If the professorship is appointed via the Senate he [Peacock] shall canvas for Smith with junior university members.

A further dividend is to be made on the estate of White, Cochrane & Co. [publishers], instructed to write to Smith requesting £44 14s, being the balance due from Smith to the estate.

[Smith has briefly annotated his reply at bottom of verso of folio]

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.

Garden developments: success of his recently constructed mushroom house, adapted from [Isaac] Oldacre's [(fl 1810s-1852), Lady Banks' gardener at Spring Grove, Isleworth, Middlesex] engraved plan but with flue above ground; explains benefits with small ink sketch. New peach house: Oldacre recommends "noblesse" and "Galande" as those which force best, but [James] Lee prefers the "Buckingham mignon"; details of the building.

Regrets missing the recent show of fruits at the Horticultural Society. Intends to try Lee's recommendation of Verdeltro grapes; reported to be very hardy and one of the grapes Madeira wine is made from. His daughter and Lady George Murray prefer the green Egyptian melon to any other. One of [Erik] Pontoppidan's [(1698-1764), Danish bishop] sea serpents "seems to have got down the American coast - to gobble up herrings!". Recently received 'Linnaea' specimen from [James] Brodie. Praises botanical zeal of Miss Murray, Lady George's unmarried daughter; she began with mosses and would walk five miles to find a 'Phuscum' and brought many mosses from Isle of Man; compares her beginning and Joseph Dalton's with 'Carex' to beginning music with thoroughbass.

Has an ear of 'Talavera' wheat from near Cirencester, [Gloucestershire], and two from Gordon Castle, [Moray]. Ate last green melon yesterday, small but excellent. Prices of apples: abundance of French apples at York imported to Hull, [Yorkshire], at 16/ per bushel; recently given 20/ for natives and 24/ at Thirsk, [Yorkshire], his gardener thinks the French "most like cur Hawthorn Dean".

Forwards book by [Jean Vincent Félix] Lamouroux [(1779-1825), botanist] Smith purchased off him. Requests Smith's opinion on enclosed 'Ulva' specimen [Smith annotation: "merely 'Fucus saccharinus' rather longe!"]. He has been in Shropshire this summer, studying the larch beetle , which "continues its ravages"; in correspondence with [William] Kirby on subject and will present paper to Linnean Society.

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.

Brief account of his tour following his taking of the Cheltenham waters for twenty-one days: returned to Bury via Marquess of Buckingham at Stowe, Bedford, St Neots, Cambridge, and Newmarket, also called on Professor [Thomas] Martyn who appeared cheerful but weak and debilitated. Spent a fortnight in Ipswich and visited to Languard Fort but could not find the 'Santolina maritima' he had noted in his "Flora Britannica" as finding there with Smith on 16 August 1793. Colonel West, governor of the Fort, has enclosed a considerable piece of the sandy ground for a garden.

Wishes to subscribe to Mr Matchett's "topographical history of all the villages in Norfolk", to be published as a supplementary volume to Blomfield's "Norfolk". Charles Miller [(c 1739-1817)], son of Philip Miller, died in London on 6 October, he never married but left all his £35,000 to £40,000 property to his eighteen-year-old daughter, aside from legacies of £5,000. Declined to become an executor after the other two refused to put it into Chancery; he spent twenty years in Bencoolen before returning to England, laments that a man so capable of being a useful member of society passed his life almost unknown and unseen.

Acknowledges receipt of £42 8s 6d from Smith, which balances his account with White & Cochrane's [publishers] assigness. Sorry that Smith's "property has been so sacrificed in consequence of the Bankruptcy, which otherwise no doubt would have produced a considerable profit".

Opening of [Liverpool Royal] Institution and his Introductory Lecture delayed by the "awful calamity which has involved all the country" [probably death of Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), only child of the Prince Regent, on 6 November 1817, which led to widespread grief and mourning]. Hopes Smith has seen their Report. Discusses plans for appointment of a Classical tutor and asks for Smith's and Mr Valpy's opinions and recommendations; they are also planning a Mathematical School and discussing whether to nominate professors or obtain as and when the best instructors possible; offers any future botany nomination to Smith. The Botanic Garden is in "high condition" under [John] Shepherd's [(c 1764-1836)] care.

[Swartz writes, in English] Received Smith's letter of 19 June. Thanks for the article intended for the supplement to "Edinburgh Encyclopedia", and the new edition of "Compendium florae Britannicae", intends publishing a much needed similar work on Scandinavian plants. Longs to see botanical part of [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia". Pained to hear of valetudinarian state of Sir Joseph Banks. Has sent the most recent "transactions" of Swedish Academy [of Sciences]. Praises work and talents of [William Jackson] Hooker. Impatiently awaiting sequel of Robert Brown's "Prodromus".

[Acharius writes, in Latin] He has waited a long time for a letter from Smith. Staying with Swartz. Asks after a letter and rare lichen he sent Smith a few years ago via Mr Ekenstam, and monographs on 'Glyphis' and 'Chiodecton', with illustrations, for "Linnean Transactions". Requests copy of [Dawson] Turner and [William] Borrer's "Lichenographia britannica" as soon as it appears, as he is preparing a "Philosophia lichenologica".

Sends plants from New York and New Hampshire. Brief account of his journey through Nova Scotia to Boston, [Massachusetts]. Arrived back in Britain in August. Has a parcel of plants for Smith from [Jacob] Bigelow; new species of 'Orchis' nearly allied to 'O. fimbriata'; they are to write a "Flora of the Eastern States" together; preparations for the work. Observations on American plants, including: 'Viola parviflora', 'Viola clandestina', 'Claytonia spatulafolius', 'Erythronium', 'Silene'. Requests introduction to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert so as to consult Pursh's herbarium, in Lambert's possession. Assistance received from [Robert] Brown and use of Sir Joseph Banks' library.

Duke of [John Russell, 6th] Bedford 's letter concerns Linnean Society only so has returned it. Suffering from a "tedious stomach & bowel compl[ain]t". He and Lady [Pleasance] Smith "can think nothing but the late sad event, it is truly deplorable, no one can calculate the effects" [probably reference to death of Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), only legitimate grandchild of George III].

Sends plants from [Olof] Swartz for confirmation. Thanks for Smith's remarks on his "Flora Londinensis" work. About to publish a periodical work on "exotic mosses"; requests specimens.

Professor of Physic will not oppose Smith giving lectures or using the Physic garden, and confident that if Smith's other friend exerts himself another curator of the garden will be gained in Smith's favour [in reference to Smith's campaign for Cambridge botany professorship]. Advises Smith to come in person to look over his interests. Asks if Smith is to make any alterations to "Flora Britannica" as he intends to have his bound.

Sends specimens of American locust and Hessian fly from Judge [Richard] Peters [(1743-1828)], president of the Agricultural Society of Philadelphia, and seven papers also from Peters on these subjects.

Replies to Roscoe's letter of 18 November. Recovered from the most obstinate bowel complaint he has ever had, which confined him for three weeks. His hard work on [Abraham Rees'] "Cyclopedia", which is now coming to a close, prevents him from saying much on the "sad loss" of the Princess [Charlotte (1796-1817), only child of the Prince Regent]; wonders at possibility of a subscription for a national memorial, as with Waterloo subscription, with a school attached.

Congratulates Roscoe on opening of the Liverpool [Royal] Institution; anxious to see Roscoe's lecture in print; he and Mr Valpy do not know of anyone for the [Classical] tutor. Depending on his engagements accepts Roscoe's proposal [for Smith to lecture on botany]. Coke family "much shocked" by the sudden death of Lady [Elizabeth] Albemarle [(d 1815), first wife of William Charles Keppel, 4th Earl of Albemarle (1772-1849)] at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke], from a miscarriage. Glad that Franklin's letters have been published.

Has been touring Europe but nowhere has delighted him as much as Britain. His impressions of Paris: thinks the French have "not only hung up their harps but hung themselves up also", and though there are as many French here as previously, and there is hardly French character enough about Paris for it to be called the capital of France; great influx of English.

Requests information on Greek melons from the collections of Smith or Sibthorp. Refers to a "melopepon", called by the French "sucrin", and Aristotle's remarks on melons.

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.