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'.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

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.

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.

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.