Reply to Goodenough's letter dated 25 September 1812; will pacify Mr Holme's botanical pride, should it become necessary. Cannot change his name for 'Carex rariflora' as it is already printed in a current book, as well as it being difficult to find new names for so large a genus; Goodenough's suggestion of 'nivalis' is suitable to many exotic ones. [Dawson] Turner busy "being all things to all men & women", and printing a "Lichenographia Britannica" with [William] Borrer.

Discussion of domestic and international affairs: the new Parliament will not find their business easy; fears Britain will have to give up Spain; Britain making America a maritime power; sees comfort in Russia [Napoleon's failed invasion of Russia]. Received account from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Sir Joseph Banks: Lambert has found 'Carduus tuberosus', it is as obstinate a weed as '[Carduus] arvensis'. Smith intends to follow the the thirty-sixth, and final, volume of "English Botany" with the fourth volume of "Flora Britannica", and has finished the third part of "Florae Graecae Prodromus".

Two weeks of examinations begin tomorrow. Experiments writing with glass pen. Describes glassmaker's methods. Suggests application to micrometers.

His summer uneventful but saw [James] Sowerby on his way back to London after staying with [Dawson] Turner in Yarmouth, and received letter from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert who was in good spirits and said first Linnean Society meeting was very full. Proposes establishment of annual Linnean Society medal for the best paper, similar to the Royal Society's Copley Medal. Sorry for the death of [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow. Will be in London at Pall Mall from February to April.

Hopes to meet Smith at Linnean Society meeting of 7 [December]. Offering 200 specimens of Mauritius plants to Linnean Society, with descriptions; also collected woods and minerals but they are currently detained. Asks that Smith bring drawing of "a fine 'Malvaceous' tree with large yellow flowers"; observations; [William] Roxburgh unable to determine it; sending transcript of description he gave Roxburgh in 1810 [extant]. Description of 'Malvaceous' tree.

No summary available.

Will always receive those friends Smith recommends to him. Would be glad for the "turkey treaty" to begin again. [Sir William Jackson] Hooker has settled his affairs with respect to his ill-fated voyage to Ceylon. [Robert] Brown and [William Townsend] Aiton working on "Hortus Kewensis".

His knee injury worse and confinement with rheumatism or lumbago across the "loins" prevents him from paying Smith and [Thomas William] Coke a Christmas visit. Has written and printed a review [see RelatedMaterial below] of [George] Canning's [(1770-1827), politician] Liverpool election speeches in response to his continual "attacks and sneers against all peaceable people". Repairs to his library and new additions, including a frieze in distemper by Michaelangelo under a picture of his master, Ghirlandaio.

Sending details of some new theorems he has come across.

About the lady JG intends to marry; also JG's law practice.

No summary available.