Samuel Goodenough, Windsor, [Berkshire], to James Edward Smith, Norwich, [Norfolk]

Begs for natural history news, especially of the new 'Carex' species discovered since he last wrote. Fears all are mistaken over his 'Carex fulva'; left specimens in all stages of growth at the Linnean Society for verification. Identifies himself as the one to ascertain [John] Lightfoot's 'Carex tomentosa' as Linnaeus' 'C. filiformis' after begging the Queen [Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III] to examine her herbarium for the purpose. D[awson] Turner insists on writing to him even after being informed that his neighbour [Thomas] Woodward knows as much [about 'Fucus'], Turner talks of a work on 'Fucus' but has urged him to a "tentamen confervarum". Is about to receive a French paper on the fructification of 'Confervae', will inform Smith of anything striking. Deterred from visiting London by the expensive accomodation