214 
not dislike to hear so much of our affairs. Portu- 
gal is to be considered as of very inferior moment : 
but ministry are very much perplexed about Irish 
affairs ; for the treaty says, the French are to be 
the most favoured nation; so the blood of St. Patrick 
thinks that very strange. 
As to natural history, which I busy myself about 
every day, more or less, I am in the first place 
amusing myself with the idea of our New Society, 
which must take place of our present gvoss body, 
the instant it starts. The present society goes on 
in the usual way, of having a fossil or a plant go 
round the table: nothing is or can be said upon it. 
It is referred to a committee to consider of it; the 
committee call it by some name, and send it back to 
the society. The society desire the committee to 
reconsider it: the committee desire the society to 
reconsider it. In the mean time nothing is done ; 
indeed it does not appear to me that any of them 
can do any thing. I have had ashort conversation 
with Sir Joseph, who repeated to me what he said 
to you. Were he not President of the Royal So- 
ciety, I am sure he would join us. 
My Systema Accentuatums ready for the press: 
but I shall not take that step till you return. 
I am much obliged to you for your letters, and 
beg that you would continue to write to me, where- 
ver you are. Your letters are my first-rate amuse- 
ment. In the mean time believe me, 
Your very affectionate friend, 
SAMUEL GOODENOUGH. 
