Forwards letters to SmithEncloses letters [not extant]. Invited to Royal Academy dinner, suspects the invitation is due to Smith.

Forwarded Smith's letter to [George] Don, did not know that 'Limosella' cannot be found in Scotland but remembers it growing on Hounslow Heath and cultivating it in his Ealing garden. There are no naturalists in the Carlisle area or anyone to collect plants. Lists plants he has observed in the area: the variety of 'Plantago maritima' called 'Loeflingii' by [William] Hudson, in elevated moist positions, smaller and with untoothed leaves, does Smith know of it growing in such conditions away from the sea; 'Salix pentandria' in all the moist hedges; 'Campanula latifolia' in shady lanes by Rose Castle; 'Fumaria capreolata' in cornfields amongst turnips, contrary to Smith's statement that it is a southern plant; 'Senecio sarracenicus', possibly escaped from a garden; 'Sanguisorba officinalis', a favourite Oxfordshire plant; 'Serapias latifolia'; 'Salix repens'; a tree called bird-cherry or heckberry, possibly 'Prunus padus'; 'Rubus corylifolius' is common. The hills and wastes are in a wild state and covered with 'Erica vulgaris', 'Juncus squarrosus', 'Tormentilla reptans', 'Lichen rangiferinus' and similar.

Received letter from Hugh Davies complaining that [Edward] Donovan [(1768-1837), zoologist] has attacked him and [Thomas] Pennant over the Beaumaris shark and trifurcated hake in Pennant's "British Zoology", claiming that Pennant did not refer to Davies' figure but instead fabricated his own, and that Pennant makes Davies guilty of gross misrepresentation over the trifurcated hake; Donovan concludes that these fabricated figures left Goodenough wrongly informed in his "Linnean Transactions" paper on the Porbeagle shark, and Donovan is convinced that the Beaumaris and Porbeagle sharks are the same. Goodenough convinced that both his and Pennant's figures are exact and the sharks are different. Exasperated by those, like [Richard] Salisbury, "thinking to raise themselves at other people's expense" and "carping jealousies" engendered by learned societies.

Rose Castle prettily situated but six miles from the nearest badly supplied market town and the house thermometer is already halfway between temperate and freezing.

Comments on two specimens he saw in [George] Don's open letter to Smith: if the 'Hypericum' is not named suggests 'ciliatum' or 'crinitum', and the 'Lamium' has a deeper coloured flower than any of its affinities. Warns Smith to not let [James] Sowerby disgust Don nor put him to needless expense as he is one of Smith's most valuable correspondents.

Events in Spain: Glad the populace and the Ministers are eager for an investigation into the "Portugal business"in Spain [Peninsular War, 1807-1814, war between France and Spain, Portugal, and Britain for control of Iberian Peninsula]. Goodenough enraged by Bonaparte's invasion, "never was there in the history of man a more barefaced invasion of natural right and justice". Eager to hear of the fourth volume of "Flora Britannica". Shall soon begin to think that there is a "party rising up bent on vexing old naturalists - Salisbury, [Edward] Donovan [(1768-1837), zoologist] - I would not willingly add Sowerby".

Forwarded Smith's letter to [George] Don and believes Don will be satisfied with Smith's conciliatory manner and correct his mode of publication, which is symptomatic of a general surplus of natural history publications: "everyone [is] publishing, quite to the nausea of purchasers, the commonest things - when [George] Shaw [(1751-1813), naturalist] published the cock-sparrow & the common snail, I thought it high time to discontinue the Nat[urali]st's Miscellany". Don's discoveries are very valuable; the 'Hypericum' and 'Equisetum' were new to him. Believes others have been more devious than Don has been in attempting to naturalise foreign plants; cites example of Laurents and himself sowing 'Sisymbrium polyceratium' in the streets of Bury [in reference to claims by James Donn of Cambridge Botanic Garden that Don had used Cambridge seeds to grow and then claim as plants indigenous to Scotland, see RelatedMaterial]. Thinks Don's 'Lamium' a distinct species especially if the leaves are constantly petriolated.

Hugh Davies sent him his three species of articulated 'Juncus' but one had no leaves to it [see RelatedMaterial below]. Remembers the 'Sempervivum sediforme' at Kew and contending with [William] Aiton [(1731-1793), gardener at Kew] that it was 'Sedum', Aiton convinced it was 'Sempervivum' on [Daniel] Solander's authority. Pleased by Smith's proficiency in Greek and with Dioscorides, recommends Theophrastus and Bodaeus' notes. Sorry to see that "envious creature [Richard Salisbury] again barking at you" and reaffirms that Smith is the "King of Nat[ural] History". Was not aware that Dr [John] Hull [(1761-1843), physician and botanist] was of such a "predatory turn". Eager to see "Flora Britannica" complete but glad to find "Florae Graecae Prodromus" progressing so well.

Forwarded Smith's letter to Mrs Smith. Firmly against allowing [Richard] Salisbury to "desecrate the name Castalia" and make it serve for the denomination of a plant inhabiting "foul, stagnating, fetid water" [Castalia was a nymph transformed into a fountain by Apollo]. Additionally objects to it on grounds of being contrary to the rules of analogy and its being a Greek word, thus having nothing to do with Latin etymology. Discusses in detail Dioscorides' nomenclature in reference to Smith's proposed 'Blephara' genus and suggets either 'Nuphar' or 'Madonia'. Suggests correction to Smith's 'Blephara' character. Still receiving invitations to dinner from the Geological Society after repeatedly stating that he cannot join them or any other dining society.

Suffering from a sharp attack of gout. Proposes three emendations, in Latin, of Smith's note of observation in "Flora Graeca" on 'Nymphaea' and 'Castalia' in order to check [Richard] Salisbury and give a Classical reason. Thinks that if the Spanish think themselves warriors and fight a pitched battle it will put a quick end to their hopes [Napoleon's invasion of Spain in 1808]. The 'Sedum ochroleucum' Smith sent is growing well.

[Note] "Charles Lyell Esq, Lyndhurst, Hants." at foot of second folio.

Has had a sharp fit of gout in his right hand. Hopes Smith liked his last alterations [probably to Smith's Latin]. Sees that Smith has "pacified [George] Don at once, he appears to be a most valuable correspondent", disusses Don's 'Carex' specimens. Hopes to be in London by 10 January [1809].

a "dreadful" six day journey from Carlisle to London brought on gout. Discusses 'Nymphaea' as mentioned in Theophrastus, Dioscorides, and Stephen's "Thesaurus". Not surprised at [James] Donn's [(1758-1813), curator of Cambridge Botanic Garden] attacks on [George] Don if he "learned any of the tricks of Thomas Agnew, to whom he was second at Kew" [Donn had accused Don of using seeds from Cambridge to grow into plants to claim as indigenous to Scotland, see RelatedMaterial]. Thanks Smith for offer of a turkey. Has not had a chance to see the "Anti-Jacobin".

Thanks for the turkey. [James] Brodie sent a letter to Miss [Elizabeth] Hill [(c 1760-1850), algologist] via himself, in addition sent him specimens of '[Fucus] lycopodioides' and 'Brodiaea'. Received report from the Bishop of Chester [Henry Majendie (1764-1830)] that the King [George III (1738-1820)] is "perfectly well & in high spirits"; the "Jacobinical rumours" of abdication and regency border on treason. Sir Joseph Banks recovering from a slight attack of gout.

Has letter for Smith from [James] Brodie. Invites Smith to dinner before going on to the Linnean Society with [Thomas] Marsham, "the sight of the three fathers of the Society marching in together must be, as the French say, grand and magnificent". Has a copy of his sermon before the House of Lords on fast-day for Smith [see RelatedMaterial].

Uncertain where to forward [George] Don's late "lucubrations" to Smith. Finds that 'Bromus racemosus' is the most common grass in his fields, and has 'Hieracium murorum' growing upon the walls of Rose Castle; offers to send specimen to [James] Sowerby.

When reading in [George] Don's letters he is struck with "the simplicity of his style, & the acuteness of his remarks". Hopes to hear from Smith soon, wishes he would visit "this retired Philosophical spot"; one of the area's two botanists brought him specimens of 'Rubus sylvaticus' and 'Cistus heliantheum' to have planted in the garden, fears he lost his botanical standing by confusing the 'Cistus' with 'Vaccinium'.

"What an indefatigable creature is this [George] Don?". Asks if Don is right about 'Agrostis arundinacea', thinks it may be an 'Arundo epigeios'; 'Thlaspi hirtum' and 'T. incanum' appear distinct. Invites Smith to visit in August; has just discovered a botanist in his neighbourhood who is a Cambridge man and may prove more than an amateur, of which he already has two.

Constantly reminded of Smith by his "very assiduous & ever-to-be-encouraged correspondent Mr G[eorge] Don". Made to doubt his own knowledge after seeing Don's "acute observations", and wonder "where have all these things lain since the days of Adam, that no one should have noticed them before". Does not wish for Smith to be charged for any of [the Don letters and plant specimens]. Eagerly awaiting confirmation of Smith's visit.

Discusses etymology of 'Ethulia', 'Euclea', and Linnaeus' non-scholarly formation of names. Fears death of Lady Amelia Hume will remove Sir Abraham Hume from natural history. Continually asked when the fourth volume of "Flora Britannica" is out. Had told a group of country botanists in Carlisle region that Smith was coming to visit, they shall be disappointed. If Smith visits next year requests root of Smith's "pale primrose-coloured Carnation".

Thanks Smith for his intention to send the second volume of "Florae Graecae Prodromus". Smith's "Piquote pink" carnation a curious plant, the yellow one sounds "very extraordinary" and requests a flower. In a letter to him [James] Brodie confused an enclosed specimen of 'Scirpus setaceus' for a 'Carex', reminds him of the time [William] Withering sent a drawing he was sure was a new 'Carex glareosa' and was in fact 'Eriophorum angustifolium'. The 'Sedum ochroleucum' Smith sent flourishing, asks if it will survive being kept in the open air. Everyone impatient for fourth volume of "Flora Britannica".

Thanks for Smith's "great curiousity", the primrose carnation. Finds it odd that is has no smell, Mrs Goodenough recalls seeing one at Windsor which was also scentless. Received a specimen of the plant Smith wrote to Mr Weatherhead about but can not recollect what it is called, it was possibly 'Stachys' but can find nothing in Gmelin's "Systema Naturae". [Hugh] Davies and [Edward] Donovan [(1768-1837), zoologist] are still in dispute over fish: Davies' letter appeared in the "Gentleman's Magazine" two months before Donovan's response, the former writes like a Welshman and the latter an artist "who thinks all the world must be as eager as himself to cull some lucky snap which has escaped the eyes of others", discusses the grievances and fears being dragged in on account of his paper on the Porbeagle shark in "Linnean Transactions" which used a drawing of Davies' [see RelatedMaterial]. Asks Smith to look for 'Confervae' in Lowestoft. Political horizon "clouding".

Smith need not fear burdening Goodenough with his post. Sorry to see that the impudence of the Carlisle choristers has "blazened forth in the public papers" [the choristers refused to sing at services until their salaries were raised]. Asks Smith to bring native specimens of 'Ophrys corallorhiza' when he comes to London, previously received a foreign specimen of it but it is now found near to Edinburgh. Asks if Smith has figured 'Serapias latifolia', a bed of is growing wild near Rose Castle. Presumes [Hugh] Davies will rise to [Edward] Donovan's [(1768-1837), zoologist] letter in the "Gentleman's Magazine" on their dispute over fish [see RelatedMaterial]. Expecting a "fiery session" in the House of Lords this season on account of the British troops in Spain and Walcharen and Catholic Emancipation and equates the political situation to that directly before the fall of Carthage and the French Revolution.

About to leave for London. Saddened by the death of his "most steady friend & counsellor & patron", the Duke of Portland [William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland (1738-1809)].

Thanks for second volume "Florae Graecae Prodromus"; discusses etymology of Delphi therein. Sir Joseph Bank's gout and [Thomas] Marsham's absence in Warwickshire viewing an estate allowed him to sit in the chair at the Council and at the Royal Society meeting where a paper on hydrogen and oxygen by [Humphry] Davy was read. There are reports that Lord Wellesley is to join the Ministry [Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852)] and people seem confident a great naval victory has been achieved.