Thanks for Smith's sympathies on death of his clever and resourceful daughter, [Maria]. She was attended to by Dr [Matthew] Baillie, gives an account of her final illness and death: following her recovery from an indisposition which lasted over a year a bilious attack came on which gave way to a low fever and rapid accumulation of water on the chest and in the lungs, leading to instantaneous suffocation. During the fever her pulse was only from 78 to 84. Calomel, draughts, blisters behind the ears and on the scalp, and seed water were all tried. Sir Joseph Banks very ill but thinks his strong constitution will carry him through; the moderate quantities of L'Eau medicinale he has taken have not had their usual relieving effect.

He is busy with ordinations, confirmations, and visitations. Hopes Smith is well.

Forwarding packets [from George Don], from his comfortable retreat; London much busier than usual this year. Comments on how "indefatigable" [George] Don is, "there is no end to his researches", and "would almost suspect that he had sowed seeds of foreigners". Thinks Don mistaken with his 'Anthoxanthum'.

Mr Holme has arrived here and brought 'Rosa rubella' of "English botany" and 'Cistus marifolius', Holme originally though latter was two species, 'C. marifolius' and C. polifolius'; observations on characteristics.

Sends two plants from [George] Don; cannot work out the 'Anthemis', which is near 'A. cotula', and asks if the 'Atriplex' is 'A. alba' of Gmelin.

Encloses fruit of 'Rosa rubella' at request of Mr Holme. Asks Smith's opinion on news from Europe and whether the "step of Austria" will end the war. Query on calyx of 'Rosa rubella' constant?". Suffering from gout in his left arm and hand.

Had heard that Smith is "making a push at Cambridge" [for the Botany Professorship]. Knows no Cambridge people except Smith's friends Davies, Young of Trinity, and Holme of Peterhouse, but has convinced his Dean of Carlisle, [Isaac] Milner [(c 1750-1820), mathematician] that Smith's science "ought to beat down all barriers of doubt & difficulty & academic etiquette". Goodenough uneasy that Smith has Lord Hardwicke [Philip Yorke, 3rd Earl of Hardwicke (1757-1834)] and friends for supporters as there is "always a strong jealousy of them"; advises Smith to base his cause on his "infinite superiority in the science of botany". Having read Smith's account of his headaches fears Smith may be in danger of developing gout seeing as air and exercise neither "mends nor mars" him. Imminent marriage of Goodenough's daughter, Sophia.