Has been visiting, confirming, and holding public days in his diocese this year; his last official duty to host a state dinner for the judges. Was recently sent a 'Lysimachia vulgaris' which turned out to be 'Lysimachia quadrifolia'. Read in the newspaper of death of Mr Walker of Liverpool, whilst awaiting delivery of parcel of plants from him, caused by an insurgent privateer firing on the pleasure boat he was travelling on. Weavers in Cumberland have returned to their work after some trouble; Goodenough would like clarification whether the "meetings of the discontented" are legal or not, believes that "our people did not think of grumbling until some incendiaries put it into their heads". Goodenough thinks it folly for [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's brother-in-law, Mr Bennet, to contest an election in Wiltshire. Death of [Samuel] Lysons [(c 1763-1819), antiquary]; he will be "much missed and desired". Sir Joseph Banks had jaundice but recovered and Mrs Goodenough well again.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 27 August. Discusses possibilities for Smith publishing a new edition of "Flora Britannica" following the new edition of "Compendium florae Britannicae"; cannot advise on the "English Flora" not knowing anything of Smith's plan. Praises Lady Banks as "one of the best natured creatures alive" and recalls her skill in telling her "famous Lincolnshire story" and the interaction between her and Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)]. His son Edmund appointed headmaster of Westminster School. Has always evaded staying with [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert at Boyton on account of his "irregularities"; thinks Lambert's brother-in-law Mr Benett is ruined. For Goodenough "reform is but another word for revolution". Does not recall ever seeing 'Cricus tuberosus'. Has never seen Fonthill Abbey but from a distance, amazed by its fourteen mile enclosing wall [home of William Thomas Beckford (1760-1844), novelist]. Unsurprised that trade is suffering.

Thinks his son, Edmund, is the best appointment for headmaster of Westminster School. Believes that the discontent in the country is the fault of "itinerants who [...] poison the minds of everyone" by teaching them to think "they are denied every comfort". Uncertain what has been done at Manchester but the Attorney General confident he will prove at the trials that the magistrates and yeomanry deserved praise, not censure, in defending themselves [at Peterloo Massacre of 16 August 1819 cavalry charged into a large crowd demanding parliamentary reform, killing fifteen]. A meeting of radicals presided over by [Thomas Jonathan] Wooler [(1786-1853), journalist and radical] to be held on Monday, with the Whigs calling for another meeting the following day. Not surprised by Smith's account of the Russian train with the Archdukes. One of Goodenough's young male servants died of an inflammation thirty hours after drinking cold water when hot; his father lives with Colonel Woodhouse at Witten Hall, Norfolk.

Hopes Smith received the barrels of oysters he sent. Has not seen [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert for a fortnight, a private report says that Mrs [Catherine] Lambert is "quite deranged". Sir Joseph Banks unwell. The "famous American serpent [...] of immense size and length", mentioned by Aldrovandus [(1522-1605), Italian naturalist] now ascertained to exist after being seen by 300 people at once, and will hopefully be caught soon. Calls in north-west Yorkshire for military patrols following reports of radicals going about publicly armed; Goodenough thinks this "feverish anxiety" will come to a crisis soon, especially as [William] Cobbett [(1763-1835), political writer] has just landed with bones of Thomas Paine [(1737-1809), author and revolutionary].