Announces newly formed Astronomical Society. Invites AB to join.

Announces formation of the Astronomical Society. Will be pleased to propose [CG] as an associate.

Asks if FB is willing to be proposed as an Associate member of the Astronomical Society.

Rules of new Astronomical Society. Offers to propose JB as associate.

There has been another fire at Hereford. [W. G.?] Hayter is to be judged next Tuesday. Hopes all are well. Own family has suffered from an attack of influenza.

A chest has been sent to Smith via Captain Phillips of the Henry Porches, containing plants from Nepal, Sumatra and Penang. Portion of the Nepalese plants were collected within the first range of the Himalayas by the late Mr R Stuart, the Sumatra and Penang plants are from Mr Jack, employee of Sir Stamford Raffles [(1781-1826)]. Some of the scitamineae plants are for [William] Roscoe, pleased to hear from Roscoe that four new species of 'Roscaea' were amongst former parcels sent. Received a synoptic account of all the 'Hedychia' he has sent, by Roscoe. Hopes to gather more species of 'Hedychia' during his Nepal expedition commencing next July, intends to send regular parcels to Smith, Sir Joseph Banks, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, and [Henry Thomas] Colebrooke [(1765-1837), orientalist]. Was unable to send a chest of plants to the Linnean Society as he wished. Copies of first volume of [William] Roxburgh's "Flora Indica" sent for Smith and the Linnean Society. List of the plants contained in second volume of "Flora Indica", with observations.

Hopes Smith received his letters of 24 July and 6 August [1819] [not extant]. News of [Henry Lloyd] Loring [(c 1784-1822), Archdeacon of Calcutta].

CB is 'incurable castle-builder.' Denies that JH falls easily into love. Eradicating 'one hastily conceived & silly passion' has deadened JH's heart. Any future love must follow a long acquaintance and friendship.

Has just returned from the Chapter, which has been considering the case of [W. G.?] Hayter. Will now decide on Thursday as new fires have taken place.

Subscriptions to the fund to build the observatory [see GP's 1820-5-6] are coming in only slowly.

Coming to Slough at Lady Herschel's invitation.

JW to be proposed as cathedral organist by Dean of Hereford. Current organist under suspicion for starting fires at college. Thanks for support of JH's friends.

Believes that JH's candidate will get full support when the Chapter decides on the position of organist. Hopes all are well. Sends this to Slough.

Regarding Prince Leopold. JH must come to town to mix with men of science. There are two vacancies on the Board of Longitude. Regarding a certain star.

Hopes to take up abode in his former lodgings. To what star does CB refer to in his last letter [see CB's 1820-5-22]?

John Pond's last communication to Committee is in press. Save its second printing.

Is grateful for his letter and also for sending the regulations of the Astronomical Society on which he sees the names of many distinguished men. Accepts with gratitude the offer of his book.

Has received the rules of the Astronomical Society. Gives full details about himself.

Requests FB's paper on the eclipse and the reports on observations of the eclipse that JH has received. Discusses criteria to be used in deciding what to print in the Astronomical Society's journal.

Is grateful for being recommended as a member of the Astronomical Society. Thinks the Society will confer great benefits in the field of astronomy.

Comments on Smith's delight at [Francis] Chantrey's [(1781-1841)] monument to the Dean of Lichfield's [John Woodhouse] two children, though he prefers [Louis-François] Roubiliac's [(c 1702-1762)] bust of [Alexander] Pope [(1688-1744), poet] in the British Gallery. Sorry to hear that the Dean of Lichfield is destroying old work in the cathedral and remodelling it in Roman cement, Goodenough recalls being pressured but refusing to do the same when superintendent of repairs at St George's Chapel, Windsor, and only replaced old work where it was already gone, as with the window mullions.

By coincidence witnessed the Queen's [Caroline (1768-1821), wife of George IV] entry into London to a "huzzaing" mob; describes her progress from Pall Mall, Carlton House, St James's Street, to Alderman [Matthew] Wood's house in South Audley Street, accompanied by that "young boy or man ([William] Austin)" and a three year old girl she has adopted, at the same time the King [George IV (1762-1830)] was presenting papers in Parliament instituting proceedings against her. Goodenough not taking a side. Prince Leopold [(1790-1865)] wants to become President of Royal Society, Goodenough thinks him "too far above the level of mankind".