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From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
31 Jan 1785
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/3, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Encloses his list of desiderata [extant]. Natural history "an object of perpetual pleasure"; has collected and dried 3000 plant specimens. Believes he has all British species except those in his desiderata, offers Smith any specimens he may desire. His collection of lichens and mosses poor and unsatisfactorily arranged. Believes he has all of Hudson's species of 'Fucus'. Smith's purchase of Linnaean collections "sets Britain above all other nations in the Botanical empire".

[On separate folio] Goodenough's "Desiderata Hudsoniana", several marked by Smith: 'Campanula patula', 'Ornithogalum pyrenaicum', 'Juncus triglumis', 'Arbutus aplina', 'Euphorbia characias', 'Chelidonium hybridum', 'Chelidonium corniculatum', 'Lathraea squamaria', 'Subalaria aquatica', 'Vicca lathyroides', 'Hieracium paludosum', 'Gnaphalium supinum', 'Carex limosa', 'Lycopodium alpinum', 'Fucus cartilagineus', and 'Scirpus pauciflorus'. Smith has also noted "sent 'Lichen miniatus', 'Lichen olivaccus', 'Hypnum painetin', 'Hypnumn curpiratum', 'Isoetes lacustris', 'Phalaris phleoides', 'Agrostis littoralis', 'Lichen globiferus', and 'Lichen glaucus'.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
[May 1785]
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/4, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Impatient to receive specimens from his desiderata. Has five specimens of 'Nasmythia articulata' for [Thomas] Woodward, hopes to establish an exchange with him. Disappointed by [Thomas] Marsham's failure to acquire a cabinet of insects for him from the Duchess [of Portland's] sale [Margaret Cavendish Bentinck (1715-1785), collector of natural history specimens, wife of 2nd Duke of Portland]. Invites Smith to dinner on Sunday, asks him to bring his thesis manuscript for alterations.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
3 Jul 1786
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/5, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Congratulates Smith on his successes in Leiden. Asks after the health of the 'Chamaerops humilis' planted by [Carolus] Clusius [(1526-1609), Flemish physician and botanist]. Interrupts letter to say he has just caught a second 'Cimex personatus'. Has never seen more 'Musca bombylans', 'Musca mystacca', and 'Musca pellucens' than this year. Observes that particular insects can significantly fluctuate year by year; recalls an abundance of the moth 'Geometea sambucaria' eight years ago that has not repeated since. Asks Smith to take as many 'Curculio paraplecticus' as he finds. Believes the 'Ptinus elytris striatis' is Linnaeus' 'Ptinus mollis'. Brief details of plans for forming a new natural history society either within the Society for Promoting Natural History or independently discussed with Sir Joseph Banks, [Thomas] Marsham, and [William] Forsyth [(1737-1804), botanist and founding member of Royal Horticultural Society].

In a postscript Goodenough writes that his brother-in-law, Dr James Ford, has been appointed Dr Mours replacement as physician to St George's Hospital "to the total discomfiture" of [John] Hunter [(1728-1793), surgeon] and "the whole Scotch interest", who had been working to secure Dr Bailey's succession instead.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
25 Sep 1786
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/6, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Received Smith's letter of 8 September. Account of discoveries found on his expedition with [William] Curtis along the Essex coast from Maldon to Harwich via Mersey Island. Insects included: 'Typha major'; 'Festuca fluitans'; 'Sphex fissipes'; Smith's 'Cantharis miniata'; a great variety of 'Coccinellas', 'Muscae', 'Cardui', and 'Cerasi'; many 'Ichneumon', particularly 'Ichneumons sarcitorius'; several new bees including one with red thorax and blue abdomen, fasciated with white; many of 'Sphex'; new 'Chrysis', and 'Carabi'; collected between 50 and 100 new insects. Plants included: 'Lepidium ruderale' on the sea marshes along the coast; Hudson's 'Dactylis cynosuroides' and 'Poa loliacea'; 'Lolium bromoides'; 'Sasola fruticosa'; 'Brassica campestris'; 'Atriplex laciniata'; 'Atriplex serrata'; 'Chara flexilis'; 'Ruppia maritima'; 'Aegilopsincurva'; and 'Bunias cakile', amongst many others.

Excited for Smith's return on account of the new [Linnean] Society; has not been able to see Sir Joseph Banks. Thanks Smith for 'Agrostis minima'. Would be grateful for Smith to acquire any of his desiderata for him, particularly 'Gnaphalium luteoalbum', and 'Origanum'; asks if Smith comes across 'Origanum aegyptiacum' or 'Origanum syriacum' to have "very correct" drawings made of them. Has not seen [Thomas] Marsham since returning from Essex on account of Marsham's bad leg and his own painful boil. Advises Smith to think on conchology when he nears the Mediterranean and informs him of an Egyptian correspondence at Leghorn that may result in 'Origanum aegyptiacum'. Preparing a complete list of Linnaean nomenclature through all classes from 'Mammalia' to 'Lapides' for publication on Smith's return to England.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
3 Nov 1786
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/7, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Grief at the death of his daughter. Thanks for Smith's letter of 21 October and its account of the morals of Paris. Envious of Smith for examining [Joseph Pitton de] Tournefort's [(1656-1708)] herbarium, hopes Smith will be able to study [Sébastien] Vaillant's [(1669-1722)]. Recommends [Carlo] Allioni's collections in Italy, and [Albecht von] Haller's in Switzerland [(1708-1777)]; recommends his former pupil, Lord Compton [Charles Compton, 1st Marquess of Northampton (1760-1828)], for the latter. Account of the anniversary meeting at the Society [for the Promotion of Natural History]: a motion was passed to reduce the four presidents to two, Dr Fordyce and Dr Pitcairn, and a new committee was formed of [John] Hunter [(1728-1793), surgeon], Home, [William] Curtis, [William] Swainson, Lee, [Thomas] Marsham, Mithcell and [Dru] Drury [(1725-1804), silversmith and naturalist]. Goodenough so disillusioned has refused to serve any office in it.

The second part of the letter is written on a printed list of his "Desiderata Hudsoniana". Reminds Smith to procure 'Gnaphalium luteoalbum' for him and to look out for 'Origanum' as he hopes to publish a monograph on it. Has purchased an insect cabinet through [Thomas] Marsham. Smith's translation of Linnaeus' "Dissertation on the sexes of plants" well received by the "Monthly Review". Implores Smith to focus solely on scientific matters and not to "berthen the mind with remembrances of houses & churches" whilst in Europe. Using example of a defunct Society in Brussels illustrates the value of "members of wealth" in society "to purchase, reward, publish" and advises increasing members of the [Linnean] Society "as far as may be safe".

Several plants on the printed list of desiderata have been marked or struck through.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
11 Mar 1787
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/8, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Received Smith's letter of 13 January. Account of the recent politics: his opinion of the imminent commercial treaty with France; hopes it will allow for natural history exports but uncertain of its long term prospects; account of current political state of the measure. Proceedings in Parliament including call for impeachment of [Warren] Hastings [(1732-1818), Governor-General of India 1773-1785] by [William] Pitt (1759-1806), Prime Minister 1783-1801 & 1804-1806] and others. Lord Mansfield is angry that Sir Lloyd Kenyon has been appointed to succeed him and refuses to resign and wishes for Buller instead. Dimisses a very a popular pamphlet [by Sir Nathaniel William Wraxall] called "A Short Review of the Political State of Great Britain" as "a jumble of the best sort of coffee house conversation". Portugal considered very inferior at the moment but Ministry very much perplexed by Irish affairs as the treaty says France is to be "the most favour'd nation".

Busy amusing himself with the idea of their new [Linnean] Society, which must replace "the present gross body" [Society for the Promotion of Natural History]. Critiques its activities which "go on in the usual way of having a fossil or plant go round the table, nothing is or can be said upon it - it is referr'd to a committee to consider of it" and then sent back and forth between Society and committee. Certain that if Sir Joseph Banks was not president of the Royal Society he would join [Thomas] Marsham, Smith, and himself in the new Society. Goodenough's "Systema Accentuatum" ready for the press but shall not print until Smith returns to England; he and Marsham have described 200 new species. Sent seeds received from West Indies to Kew, also received grasses. Currently setting up his insect cabinet with a collection of "some hundreds".

Hopes Smith sees [Carlo] Allioni; greatly admires his natural history work. Calls [Lazzaro] Spallanzani [(1729-1799), physiologist] a "rascal"; detests a natural history thief "beyond all possible theives" [Scopoli dispute]. Requests 'Curculis paraplecticus' and 'Agrostis minima'.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
13 Aug 1787
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/9, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Critices the Society for the Promotion of Natural History for "dron[ing] on in its usual course" and particularly for a shambolic lecture by Dr Pitcairn on a new arrangement of shells. [Emanuel Mendez] da Costa [(1717-1791), naturalist] was at the meeting and "enjoyed everything said against Linnaeus", he had a paper on the fossil and living 'Asteria' which he would not deliver to the Society as intends to publish it himself.

Found a 'Cicada aurita', said to be a German insect, 'Silpha germanica', and many previously undescribed insects, further activity hindered by multiple attacks of gout in the summer. Travelling to Hastings, Sussex, on Saturday to collect new insects. Filling his insect cabinet with [Thomas] Marsham and [William] Jones' assistance, latter acquiring 200 lepidoptera for him. Purchased [Carlo] Allioni's "Stirpes Piedmontana". Has set his writing-master to copy the defect in second volume of De Geer, a work he loves. Advises Smith to study closely [Joseph Pitton de] Tournefort's [(1656-1708)] herbarium and not to bother smuggling any French wine home as their is now an over-supply. Anxiety over the issue of affairs in Holland, many positive that there will be war, it is said [William] Pitt approves it but a "Great Personage" is against it, a few months ago they were of contrary opinions.

Envies Smith for the sights he has seen, and to have 'Orchis abortiva' and 'Orchis coriophora'. Has heard that the Oxford Botanical Garden is in a "terrible condition". Glad Smith left Pavia before publication of his translation of Linnaeus' "Dissertation on the sexes of plants" as [Lazzaro] Spallanzani [(1729-1799), physiologist] would "assassinate" him.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
[1788]
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/10, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Sends 'Carex halleriana', 'Rosa alpina', and a new species of 'Origanum' for Smith's opinion. Concerned at Smith's impending absence and shall look upon it as a year's loss to "our infant [Linnean] Society". Hopes Smith will give [Thomas] Marsham his opinion of best way in making the Society known in a "proper and respectable manner". Recommends preparing the papers already submitted so that it may be known how earnest they are to communicate findings; acquire drawings of plants and insects for which no good picture exists; to publish new new and dubious species such as 'Astragalus arenarius', 'Athamanta oreoselinum'; indexes to old botanical books; and partial floras. Requests to borrow [Richard] Brown's "Prosodia Pharmacopceorum" for a few days.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
18 Feb 1789
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/11, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Pleased that Lord Gainsborough [Henry Noel, 6th Earl of Gainsborough (1743-1798)] has been elected [to the Linnean Society] but intended for the proposal and election to be at different meetings. The King [George III (1738-1820)] is "so far better to have grown perfectly harmless & quiet, but he wavers almost every quarter of an hour" and informed that Dr [Francis] Willis [(1718-1807), physician to George III] thinks a perfect recovery will be accomplished in time with the attentions of friends. Goodenough concerned that people in the King's situation often relapse or continue with irregular waverings. The Chancellor [Edward Thurlow, 1st Baron Thurlow (1731-1806)] saw the King yesterday and left convinced of necessity of immediately declaring the Regent, Goodenough convinced this likely and concludes that he understands that "the string upon which he goes off is Politicks particularly the German". Had not heard of the D of P [William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland (1738-1809)] declining a part in the admininstration, hopes it is not true.

Could not attend meeting on Tuesday because there was no moon for the return journey, fears his Royal Society certificate has been forgotten and asks Smith to ask Mr Greville, Mr Marsden, or Mr Blagden to sign it.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
23 Nov 1789
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/12, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Has just returned from Oxford. Already has a copy of second edition of [Johann Daniel] Leers [(1727-1774)] but asks Smith to look out for a first edition. Arrangements for purchasing L'Heritier's "Sertum Anglicum". Asks if Smith has a spare copy of [Johann Christian Daniel von] Schreber's "Grasses" [ "Beschreibung der Graesser"?]. Asks after progress of Smith's next fasciculus and for Smith to send it him as soon as ready. Argues the value of giving a preface to every fasiculus for saying something upon the nature of work; additional remarks on previously published plants; and prepatory annotations on forthcoming plants. Saw at Oxford Smith's friend Dr [William] Thomson [(c 1760-1806), mineralogist and physician]; persuaded him to give him the plants Smith provided for his abandoned "Materia Medica". Also saw [John] Sibthorp who gave him Cyrpus wine and Hymettian honey and gave him a tour of the rarities of the Sherardian library and garden. Next time Sibthorp is in London intends to compare all the Sherardian collection with Sir Joseph [Banks'] or Smith's collections. Sibthorp's thousand drawings "very excellent" and he has added Linnean names to the Sherardian and Morrisonian collections in his keeping; the garden is superior to the one at Cambridge.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
[1790]
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/13, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Corrections and comments on Smith's usage of Latin in a manuscript sent for review [possibly Smith's translation of "Flora Lapponica"]. Asks Smith to confirm what he wrote of 'Lichen gypsaeus' and briefly discusses Linnaeus' terminology. In reference to 'Lichen tiliaceus' quotes a Latin remark about [Georg Franz] Hoffmann. Terminology applied in description of 'Lichen cucullatus'. Long discussion of usage and eytymology of "scutella"; "scutellum" incorrectly used by Linnaeus in "Philosophia Botanica", whereas the younger Linnaeus used "scutella"; wishes the elder Linnaeus had been more of a scholar.

Met [Jonas Carl] Dryander on way to Kew where two species of 'Aponogeton' are in flower, the 'Fudisia' [?] with "red superb flowers". Note on reverse of letter asks Smith to send the specimen of 'Cistus guttatus'.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
[Dec 1791]
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/14, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Saw [John] Lightfoot's herbarium [owned by Queen Charlotte] at Windsor yesterday; confirms that Lightfoot's 'Tomentosa' is Linnaeus' 'Filiformis' and that Smith 's "little incurod 'Carex'" from Mount Cenis is not Lightfoot's 'incuroa', however has not been able to compare. As the Uspal Society is now defunct suggests Smith makes his dedication [of Smith's translation of Linnaeus' "Flora Lapponica"] to the Swedish nation, suggests a possible wording, in Latin.

[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
20 Mar 1792
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/15, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Confident in Smith and [Jonas] Dryander's judgement respecting his paper ['Observations on the British Species of] 'Carex'''. Preparations necessary prior to the paper being read: asks Smith what he meant about the placing of the synonyma, will have drawn whatever needs engraving, asks how to credit Smith observing the capsules of '[Carex] dioica' and '[Carex] capitata', stating that his distinction between the two came from his own observations. Has omitted mentioning the serrulation of the capsules in many of the species.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
16 Sep 1793
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/16, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Has just returned from a month long visit to Hastings, Sussex, where he saw the India, Jamaica, and Oporto fleets and collected marine plants. Fishermen brought a blue shark, 'Squalus glaucus', to shore, and as [Thomas] Pennant had only briefly spoken of the species decided to make a full description of it, and had an outline drawing of it made; proposes it for a paper [published as 'A Description of the Porbeagle Shark']. Has a specimen of 'Asplenium marinum' for Linnean Society herbarium. Found two new 'Ulvae' at Hastings. Asks the progress of printing of his paper on 'Carex'; wishes [John] Sibthorp could see it before he finishes his "Flora Oxoniensis". Baroness [Henriette Charlotte von] Itzenplitz has giving birth to a son at Kew.

On reverse of letter note "do get my vol. of Phil. Transactions" and a column of amounts of money.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
24 Sep 1793
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/17, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

'Rottoellia compressa' from Botany Bay, [Australia], is in flower at Kew; would like Smith to see it as it is one of the badly described plants in the younger Linnaeus' "Supplementum" and believes it may actually be new. Proposes an errata for his paper on 'Carex'. Unsure if his paper on 'Squalus glaucus' will be ready for first volume of "Linnean Transactions" and whether it was male or female.

Asks Smith to tell the Queen [Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III] how he is filled with honour on being admitted to see her "Lightfootian 'Carices'" and should also want to see the 'Fucus' and 'Confervae'.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
3 Nov [1793]
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/18, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Has drawn up a list of errata in his paper ['Observations on the British Species of Carex'], begs that Smith print it at the end of the volume as it is essential for understanding his Latin. His daughter is recovering but his two youngest children now suffering from bowel complaints. Requests the plates.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
10 Nov 1793
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/19, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Apologises for the trouble he has caused in trying to preempt the punctuation corrections of the typesetters [for his paper 'Observations on the British Species of Carex']. Thanks Smith for naming the genus 'Goodenia' in his honour; asks for as many specimens of species as possible. Has no "violent objection" to Smith's use of the term "Tetrathica" aside from Linnaeus' own condemnation of it; believes it and Jussieu's 'Myriothica' are innocent uses but suggests the alternatives 'Excavaria', 'Cellularia', or 'Valvaria'.

Discussion of the "defect of Louis XVI" [an apparent infertility, from his marriage to Marie Antoinette in 1770 till their first child was born in 1778, presumably for inclusion in Smith's "Sketch of a Tour on the Continent"]. Goodenough believes it was caused by an "incurvation of the penis [...] owing to an uncommon shortness & rigidity of the fraenum" according to a commonly believed report from his brother-in-law who was in Paris at the time. Suggests wording for Smith's opinion of the defect, in Latin. The tooth-ache which left him "half dead" has been cured.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
18 Mar 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/20, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Encloses a supplementary paper for "Linnean Transactions"explaining the plates to his paper 'Observations on the British Species of Carex', does not intend for it to reflect badly on [James] Sowerby. Fears the letter sent from Bulstrode in January giving his opinion on Smith's "Tour" has miscarried; reiterates his enjoyment of them but expresses his concern that three or four passages will not meet with royal approval as "Kings and Queens love to read the praises of Kings and Queens". Surprised by Smith's "multifarious" reading, took several pages to be in the style of Dr [Andrew] Kippis [(1725-1795), nonconformist and biographer].

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
31 Mar 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/21, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Correction of his Latin used in his description of 'Carex axillaris' [for his paper 'Observations on the British Species of Carex']. Unsure if he can see Smith at Kew on Wednesday. Further details of a letter previously sent but apparently lost. Sorry to hear that the Queen [Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III] has been so "[un]impressed" [by Smith's remarks on the French Queen, Marie Antoinette, in his "Sketch of a Tour on the Continent"]; "Kings & Queens naturally like to have the cause of Kings & Queens be praised". Another letter containing a draft for money has also been lost; informed that his postman is "drunk daily" but dares not have him turned out as he has eight children to feed. Promises Smith the lost letter did not contain any critique of his work, only pointed out passages for praise or those which might be taken amiss.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
20 Jan 1795
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/22, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Apologises for absence from Linnean Society meeting. Received from [William] Markwick [(1739-1813), naturalist] a 'Loxia curvirostra' for Linnean Society and attention of [John] Latham. Puzzled whether [James] Dickson's 'Carex' is new or 'Carex rigida'. Quotes [Edmund] Burke that "the age of chivalry is gone" otherwise he would certainly have fallen in love with Miss Charlotte Aynscombe [artist]. Hopes Smith is not affected by the "dreadful sharp weather" and that Smith, Latham, and [Thomas] Marsham will be able to visit him.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London