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.

Introduces Charles [Lucien] Bonaparte, [2nd] Prince of [Canino and] Musignano [(1803-1857)], who has been residing in the United States studying natural history. Bonaparte has updated [Alexander] Wilson's ["American Ornithology"] and collected an extensive collection of American insects. Asks that he be made a member of the Linnean Society. Has received third volume of Smith's ["English flora"] including copy for "Lyceum of Natural History".

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]

Sending specimens of living 'Salix borreri', collected by [William] Borrer in Bredalbane, [Perthshire]. Invites Smiths to stay at Hale End, so they can attend Linnean Society [anniversary meeting] together. Received paper from [Henry Thomas] Colebrooke [(1765-1837), botanist] on the Quinary divisions, unsure if he was serious or hoaxing them. Concerned that the Society will never be able to accomplish rotation of chair by the vice-presidents.

[Smith noted his reply in corner of verso of first folio]: replied by telegraph will be with Forster on 1 May.

Pleased Smith will be coming on 1 May, arrangements for the visit. Sorry the box was not sent before 'Salix borreriana' spoiled.

Sorry that Smith was not able to come on 1 May, hopes he will still be able to come on 15 May. New Linnean Society Council to include Sir Stamford Raffles [(1781-1826), founder of Singapore], Charles Bell, [Nicholas Aylward] Vigors [(1786-1840), zoological administrator and quinarian], Dr [John] Bostock and [Joseph] Sabine. Believes Honorary Memberships should be kept for princes and other very distinguished persons.

Sends copy of his "Sylva Britannica" for admission to Linnean Society library; his work on the book.

Appointed Professeur au Jardin du Roi.

He is exiled from his country and family; intends to generate an income by creating and selling a hortus siccus of London plants; his progress. Sending parcel of specimens to Smith for opinion and so his hortus siccus will be more valuable through association with Smith's herbarium, and copy of his second book, edited by Dr de la Llave of Mexico. Observations on some of the specimens.

Change in the weather; "extraordinary phenomena" of a "yellowish substance" observed on surface of rain water cisterns which on burning proved to be sulphur; Mr Dalton the chemist says it has not been observed since the execution of Charles I and Cromwell's usurpation, as mentioned by Baker, unable to find this in his "Chronicles"; other opinions on the cause, including being swept up from volcanic mountains. Discussion of Norwich election with Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)]. A grebe taken on a ship's deck; sent to be stuffed. A very bad mackerel voyage, causing the pedlars to make trouble. Dined at the Lockwood's; a picture of Mrs Lockwood's great aunt by Sir Thomas Lawrence.

Invites Smith to view his collection of plants at Bury Hill.

Thanks for Smith's letter on his rare 'Fenillia'. Safely received seeds from Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania].

Apologises for not writing but he has been ill since Christmas with a swelling in his knees which prevented him from walking and a suppresion of urine. Recovering very slowly after treatment from [William George] Maton and [Thomas] Copeland [(1781-1855), surgeon].

Thanks for Smith's botanical letter. Sympathises with Smith's family distresses with his own: his severe loss at death of his second son and his eldest son's having run into debt, despite his £1600 per annum, Goodenough has refused to pay the £2000 he applied for.

In Brighton for a change of air as the gout in his knees and suppression of urine prevented him from returning to Rose Castle, [Carlisle], recovered a little after treatment from [William George] Maton and [Thomas] Copeland [(1781-1855), surgeon]. Has not attended any of his Societies and has no news since the death of Sir [Thomas] Stamford Raffles [(1781-1826), founder of Singapore]. Presumes the "S" in Smith's letter refers to [Richard] Salisbury. Admires Smith's "English Flora" and especially the work on the umbelliferae.

Thanks for Smith's medical advice, which accords with [William George] Maton and [Thomas] Copeland's [(1781-1855), surgeon]. Goodenough believes all his maladies are connected to his gout; his ankles and feet are beginning to swell again after having left off using a crutch following twelve months of suffering.

Smith should not worry about "Mr S" as "he is quite blown up & I hear gone abroard" and cannot show himself in England again. A scandal involving a member of the Athenaeum; no one has been able to persuade him to make an appearance or personally deny the rumours. Had not heard of [William Jackson] Hooker's corrections of himself and Smith but not concerned. Scarcely a house in London without someone unwell.

Wishes he could be in London to dine with friends at the Free Masons and Thatched House Tavern. Received visit from eldest son of [Thomas Andrew] Knight and on remarking on the valuable property [Richard] Payne Knight [(1750-1824), classicist] left to the British Museum received reply that his father and family had been left enough to satisfy all. Hopes the "alarming bankruptcies" are not affecting any of their friends, particularly the Forsters, though concerned the failure of Sir Peter Pole's [2nd baronet (1770-1850)] banking house has affected [Edward] Rudge as their families recently intermarried. Dawson Turner is being consulted regarding auction of [Sir Thomas] Gage's library and collection of plants and drawings, including boxes of plants from India never examined; wishes Smith could examine some of Gage's cryptogamia drawings. Dr [John] Sims intends to decline superintendence of the "Botanical Magazine". Observed 'Primula chinensis' in a lady's parlour, it seems to be 'Primula praenitens' of "Botanical Register" vol 7 plate 539.

Remarks on death of Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington]: reread Smith's Dedication to him several times, his second wife [Jane Barrington] thinks it remarkable he underwent a lithotomy operation at thirteen years old. Will be in London for Horticultural Society and Linnean Club meetings.

Received visit from General [Thomas] Hardwicke. Advises Smith not to hurry [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor], though wishes Smith was being painted rather than sculpted. Details of coaches coming to Bury from London in anticipation of Smith's visit.

His son and family have returned from Paris but daughter-in-law still very ill despite having tried all the celebrated baths on the continent; they plan to leave again in autumn without trying Mahomed's steam baths in Brighton, [Sussex]. Plans to visit Ramsgate, [Kent]. Invites Smith to Bury on his return from London.