Indebted to Smith's publications for the progress he has made in botany; offers to send 'Lichen' specimens not in "English botany" for Smith's opinion at later date, and now sends others, including: 'Parmelia conoplea', 'P. subiginosa', 'P. plumbra', 'P. ambigua', 'P. farrea'; observations. He and Mr Knight found 'Targionia hypophylla' last summer in Radnorshire, also found in Montgomeryshire.

Requests that Smith mark the specimens he has sent in a particular way. Remarks on habitats of 'Parmelia scrobiculata', 'P. aquila', and 'P. perforata'.

Thanks for turkey and specimens of 'Dianthus'. [Samuel Goodenough] ill. Fonthill Abbey and grounds purchased by [John] Benett [(1773-1852), his brother-in-law], the walks and drives to kept in good order. The abbey itself is in ruins, mentions the tower falling with a "tremendous crash" and the previous owner, [John] Farquhar [(1751-1826)], having a narrow escape. Acquired work on Brazilian ferns.

Offers to obtain any or all of the Hungarian plants described by [Franz Adam von] Waldstein and [Paul] Kitaibel in ["Descriptiones et icones plantarum rariorum Hungariae"] from a Munich botanist, in exchange for British specimens.

[Note, possibly in Smith's hand] "of Laycock Abbey, Nephew of Ld Lansdown".

Thanks for turkey. Turns down offered potential post [of vice-president] in favour of [Robert] Brown. Heard from [Alexander] Macleay at Rio de Janeiro, assumes they have reached New South Wales by now. Hopes Smith's niece is bearing her misfortune well. Account of recent Linnean Society meeting. Their bank quiet but fears great distress across the country and expects to hear of banks failing.

[Letter incomplete: large portion of second folio cropped, unclear if any significant text missing]