LIXXKAX SOCIETr OF LOXDON. 57 



name peculiarly proper for us, who have among us the very 

 museum & Lib'' of Lin* in the house where we meet, for you kuow. 

 Sir, I purchased all his remains. We consider his works as a 

 good foundation to work upon, we are best able to determine the 

 different objects he described, to correct his errors & improve 

 what he has left imperfect. On this ground we call ourselves the 

 Lin" Soc'', and I hope you will not thiuk it an improper one. 

 A similar society has been formed in Paris in imitation of 

 ours, wch. has taken the same name: this shows there is nothing 

 giarinaly improper in it. We have ainong us some gentlemen 

 who think in some measure with yourself as to the merits of the 

 illustrious Swede, but all approve of the title of our Soc'' for 

 the reasons above mentioned. — I venerate Ray extremely & 

 admire Hook, but there w*^ be no propriety in taking their 

 names, & the mere title of a Nat' Hist^ Soc'' has been taken by 

 another Soc'' in London. — Pardon me Sir for having to so long 

 intruded upon your valuable time dedicated to so much more 

 important objects. I hope you will pardon the freedom with 

 which I write. I have expressed my thoughts without reserve 

 on the above subject, but shall not have compleatly done so 

 unless I assure you of the high veneration and esteem which 

 I sincerely feel for your char'' & abilities. One w** wish for 

 the honor of human nature that such a character were always 

 free from weaknesses & prejudices, but perhaps that cannot 

 be. That no such may be attributed to you by those who 

 have contrary preposse>sions, or who may not be acquainted 

 with your work, I have kept your letter to myself. You are too 

 respectable to be submitted to the judgement of mere commoa 

 opinion & I could not bear to hear you slighting y spoken of. 



I only beg leave as a particular favor, that you will inform 

 me whether you continue in the same sentiments, & if so, how 

 you would have it made known to the Soc^, or whether you 

 have deigned to listen to the arguments I have presumed to 

 oiler you, & that you will allow your name to stand as it does at 

 present. 



I have the honor to be with the sincerest respect and con- 

 sideration, 



Sir, y'' most ob' & very h'''" Servant, 



Lond", July 21, 1788. ' " J. E. S. 



(Pencil note at foot.) 

 This, tho' headed a co^^y, is in the handwriting of Sir Jas. Edwd. 

 Smith himself, and was found among his papers af uer his death, 

 when it was given me by his widow. S. D. 



(Extract of a letter from Professor Allman.) 



Dec. 2, 1896. 



... I enclose two letters. ... I think the correspondence is 

 too interesting to allow of its being lost without a record. My 

 idea was that in consequence of its general interest as ihrowing 



