Smith's reply to Goodenough's letter dated 5 December 1810. Thanks Goodenough for his "most judicious & able conducting" of the last Linnean Society meeting [resolving a dispute between William Elford Leach and William Bullock (fl 1790s-1840s)]. Agrees that [Thomas] Marsham is the best candidate for vice-president of the Society but is hurt that Marsham has hinted to others he expects to be appointed, despite having previously rejected the office. Intends to postpone the appointment of a vice-president and would like Marsham to explicitly state his desire for the role. Goodenough should put anyone he thinks suitable into the Council except [John] Symmons, lest it fuel rumours of his being appointed vice-president. Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)] moving to London soon having bought a house in Welbeck Street.

Clarifies that [Thomas] Marsham has not positively said he wants the appointment of vice-president of Linnean Society; Goodenough has only inferred that he wants it. States Marsham's qualities for the position against [John] Symmons' unsuitability. Possible attack of gout coming on. The King [George III (1738-1820)] is getting better and had "no alientation of mind" for the greatest part of the week. Considers the King a personal friend after he took the whole responibility of Goodenough's appointment as Bishop of Carlisle.

Sending plants; 'Icones inedita'; accounts; Miss Watson has sent specimens of the 'Meum'.

Requests Smith's assistance in finding a builder to rebuild the Parsonage House at his friend's Rev Trivett's new living near Yarmouth, Norfolk. Recalls seeing 'Mespilus germanica' in Sussex, compares it to figures in several works and concludes that the one in "English Botany" is a cultivated variety. Asks why [Thomas] Martyn has not been mentioned in "Hortus Kewensis" as the publisher of [Philip] Miller's "Gardener's Dictionary". [James] Donn [(1758-1813) gardener] is publishing another edition of "Hortus Cantabrigiensis".

Returns proof sheet [of William Jackson Hooker's paper on 'Andraea'] with an added 'Menziesia'. Warns Macleay not to mention "the private anecdote" from India, which he believes false. Pleased Macleay approves of his plans about the vice-president.

Introduces Baron Ch[ristian] von Vietinghoff, who wishes to become FMLS. He has created a catalogue of the plants of the Moscow Botanic Garden; had diploma of their Moscow Society sent to Smith some time ago; planning a new edition of his "Flora Germaniae", requests most recent issues of "English botany".

Thanks for turkey, the "chief decoration of our Christmas dinner". [Robert] Brown engaged on "Hortus Kewensis". Lady Banks is better, and Banks' gout medicine continues to work, although [Samuel] Goodenough refuses to take it.

Roscoe's paper [see RelatedMaterial below] has occupied all the meetings of the Linnean Society this season butis now finished. Death of [Jonas] Dryander a "great loss to us all in his way". Keen to get his part of [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia" forward, till [William Fitt] Drake can relieve him from part of it, who is now ordained and is settling near him in January; asks if Roscoe has seen his biographies of famous botanists.

Enjoying good health this winter. Expects to see Roscoe take his seat again in Parliament under a new ministry. Invites Roscoe to come to Norfolk and visit Holkham [home of Thomas William Coke] for the pictures, statues, drawings, books, and charming company. Sends via Mr J Thornley. [William] Roxburgh has described all the East Indian 'Scitamineae' according to Roscoe's system.

Sending what plants he can for "English botany" and two "Flora Graeca" plates, including the frontispiece. Sends an 'Hieracium' from [Jonathan] Salt [(1759-1815)] of Sheffield. Uncertain what to do with [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's 'Cnicus tuberosus'.

[Written on recto of proof page from "English Botany" no 2249, dated February 1811]

Replies to Smith's letter of 15 December [1810]. Seldom sees [Dawson] Turner since leaving Bungay, [Suffolk]; has made observations on Turner's 'Fucus simpliciusculus' and its resemblance to his 'Ulva decorticata'; notes. Comments that Turner's work ["Fucus sive plantarum fucorum"] seems to relax as it approaches its end; a number has not come out for two months; criticises its unpleasant arrangement.

"Most severe loss" to Linnean Society and students of natural history all over the world in death [Jonas] Dryander; repsumes [Robert] Brown will succeed him at Sir Joseph Banks'. Death of Windham and the loss to residents of Earsham, [Norfolk]; obituaries.

[Letter incomplete: lower third of second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Confined to his house for the last three weeks but almost recovered. [Liverpool Botanic Garden] has purchased [Thomas] Velley's herbarium, including his marine specimens. Asks if his "Rocket against the French botanists" [paper comparing systems of Linnaeus and Jussieu, see RelatedMaterial below] has been read yet; thinks he can now fully explain the distinction between a natural and artificial system; wishes the animosities between Britain and France could be confined "within such harmless limits" but the business of "cutting throats" now seems to be a permanent state of society. Published some brief observations on speech by Lord [Thomas] Grey [de Wilton, 1st Earl of Wilton (1749-1814)] and has collected his political tracts into a volume, will send copies for Smith, William Taylor, John Taylor, and Samuel Taylor.

[Liverpool Botanic] Garden flourishes; [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] has "collected more plants than he cou[l]d probably have done in a voyage round the world". Sorry to hear that so many of the country's finest [plant] collections are being broken up and dispersed; symptomatic of the state of the nation led by ministers who "ride it like an ass, with nails for spurs, & a bludgeon for a whip".

Has given [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert all the plants he collected on his travels on condition of receiving descriptions of any new species and a list of the whole, and instructions that any duplicates be sent onto Smith. Particularly anxious to know whether Smith has received all the 60 new species belonging to the Grecian collection.

Thanks for turkey. Sir James Graham [1st baronet, (d 1824)] cannot expect to be made vice-president if elected to Linnean Society Council, on the Council's recommendation, he as he has only attended the Society once.

Refers to letter and books he sent in June 1810. Asks Smith to recommend his ichthyological discoveries to Dr [George] Shaw, having heard he recently wrote a "Natural History of Fishes". Resigned to not becoming a corresponding member of the Linnean Society. Sends his memoir on genus 'Bertolonia', which contains 6 species that had been confused with 'Verbena nodiflora'. Asks for directions to send papers to "Annals of Botany". [Antonio] Bivona [Bernardi] is grieved that John White, the bookseller, has refused to sell the books he sent. Currently illustrating [Franciscus Cupani's] "Panphyton Siculum", further remarks on it.

This is a duplicate copy of Rafinesque's letter, sent with his letter of 30 March 1811.

Refers to letter and books he sent in June 1810. Asks Smith to recommend his ichthyological discoveries to Dr [George] Shaw, having heard he recently wrote a "Natural History of Fishes". Resigned to not becoming a corresponding member of the Linnean Society. Sends his memoir on genus 'Bertolonia', which contains 6 species that had been confused with 'Verbena nodiflora'. Asks for directions to send papers to "Annals of Botany". [Antonio] Bivona [Bernardi] is grieved that John White, the bookseller, has refused to sell the books he sent. Currently illustrating [Franciscus Cupani's] "Panphyton Siculum", further remarks on it.

A fit of gout has taken away the use of his right hand. Thanks for turkey, hopes to send oysters in return once they are good again. Smith's appointment of [Thomas] Marsham as vice-president "gives universal satisfaction". Proposes that [Robert] Brown's position and salary as Linnean Society Librarian be divided between him and another person; "£100 per ann[um] & the use of the House is extravagant pay for 4 hours service in a week".

Thanks for Smith's letter of 31 December. His wife and daughter [Mariamne Johnes] have severe colds, and he has been ill, too, but by following medical rules of cupping, blistering, and Calomel, they have gained relief. Hopes to see Smith in London in the spring.

Has long heard of the treasures of Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] but doubts likelihood of his ever visiting. Has amused himself with the exiled King of Sweden's father's work, and Madame des Duffand's letter to Lord Oxford. High winds and heavy rain but no snow.

Thanks for Smith's intended nomination of him as a Vice President of the Linnean Society, and though he would prefer to be nominated Treasurer he will not withold his assent. [Samuel Goodenough] recovering from severe fit of gout.

Notes that his his paper on classification [see RelatedMaterial below] has been read at Linnean Society; confident his principles are correct, and confirmed by Smith's assent, but could have given better examples. Critiques Count [Johann Centurius] Hoffmannsegg's [(1766-1849), naturalist] "Flore Portugaise" [(1809-1840)], which quotes Smith; plates coloured well but the system shows need to adhere to an established plan of arrangement so botanists can understand each other; discusses further.

Expecting his copy of Smith's "Tour of Hafod". He has been devising a method for putting an "effectual end to the African slave trade" and also looking into the state of the arts during the Middle Ages for a memoir. Looking forward to Smith's Lancashire visit.

Sends letter from [Georg Franz] Hoffmann and copy of "Hortus Mosquensis"]. Intends to publish a work on the rare plants of northern and southern parts of Russia, asks Smith to procure him some English subscribers. Requests plants from Botany Bay, [Australia]. Has sent Sir Joseph Banks a prospectus of his other work on the insects of Russia, asks Smith to procure subscribers for this also. Sends twenty packets of seeds of "the rarest plants of the Cokases", intends to send more.