Recovering from a three week long bout of gout. Received letter from Mr Lynn [Goodenough's son-in-law] stating that the possessor of a disputed estate in the manor of Kirkland, Cumberland, proved at court his right and title to it, so that Mrs Stoddart has had to stop her action [in attempt to claim fees and dues owed to the manor, see RelatedMaterial]. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert appears to have recovered from his intense agitation. [Alexander] MacLeay has returned to town looking pale and thin. Happy but uncertain how stable the peace with America will prove [War of 1812, North American conflict between Britain and Ameria, 1812-1815]. "The world seems tired out with war & strife [...] but France [...] is like the troubled sea, which is never at rest". Sir Joseph Banks "remarkably well". Asks when the fourth volume of "Flora Britannica" is out.

Thanks for turkey. Suffered from a fit of gout but now recovered. [Thomas] Marsham leaving Baker Street for Winchmore Hill today, where Marsham's son and mistress lately lived.

Happy to hear Smith is on the way to visit Rose Castle, sends his compliments and extends invitation to [Thomas William] Coke and reminisces about when they attended the late Lord Rockingham's levees together [Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham (1730-1782), prime minister 1765-1766 and 1782]. Forwarded Smith's letter to Mr Napier.

Informed by Mrs Corfield that [Thomas] Marsham is dangerously ill, and what he thought was a recurrance of his asthma is in fact dropsy. Goodenough fears that the letter and insect 'Hippobosca' he sent, from an owl, that differs from the 'Hippobosca avicularis' will distress Marsham's feelings. Alarmed by Smith's comment on how easily Napoleon could be smuggled out of St Helena and astonished by the actions of the new French government, "they are reconcilable to no principle of soverignity, despotism, humanity or prudence". Uneasy that he has only heard from his son, Edmund, once, since he went to Paris.

Franked Smith's letter for [John] Hawkins. Sorry to hear of the death of Smith's brother, reminds him of death of his only surviving brother when he became Bishop of Carlilse. Heard that Smith has lately had a considerable accession of fortune.

Linnean Society news: [Thomas] Marsham well again but has resigned as Treasurer of Linnean Society, replaced by [Joseph] Sabine; [Alexander] Macleay ill again; Lambert reports on Society struggles that the next volume of "Linnean Transactions" is ready but for someone to compile a list of donations for the year, and there were no papers for the last meeting nor the upcoming one. [Edward] Rudge sends compliments to Smith, reports that a Frenchman has been at Sir Joseph Banks' claiming to preserve dried meat and fish for any length of time. Goodenough has been suffering from gout since arriving in London three weeks ago.

Glad to hear of Smith's accession of fortune. Hears that [Thomas] Marsham is ill again with evident signs of dropsy. Comments on the "frightful" accounts of persecution of Protestants by Roman Catholics in south of France, the Duke and Duchess of Angoulême and Duke of Berri are "bigots of the first order".

In a postscript, upside down at top of recto of first folio, says that [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert has just returned from Whiteknights, [Reading, Berkshire], and by his account "nothing can equal the extravagance & folly of that poor Marquis" [George Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford, later 5th Duke of Marlborough].