20 



J. E. Smith to Mr. D avail. 



My dear Friend, London, Nov. 17, 1789. 



I was really very near writing to you to know 

 what was beeome of you, when your most welcome 

 letter arrived. Many thanks for your kind ex- 

 pressions of regard, which I hope to be ever worthy 

 of, inasmuch as similar feelings for you may de- 

 serve them. But how is it that you tell me not 

 one word of your marriage ? Could you think I 

 should not be interested in an event so important 

 to your happiness ? Who is the lady ? May she 

 be worthy of you, and, if possible, no enemy to 

 Flora ! 



Since you went away I am become very intimate 

 with your friend Forster, whom indeed I had long 

 known as a botanist, and now esteem highly as a 

 most amiable and sensible man. Your introducing: 

 me to Lady Rockingham has been peculiarly for- 

 tunate, and I rejoice to owe such an advantage to 

 you. She is a worthy woman ; and her sentiments 

 accord with mine in many things. She treats me 

 with peculiar affability and attention, and some- 

 times consults me medically as well as botanically. 

 She has given me her six volumes of Hortus Ma- 

 labaricus, a very useful and magnificent present. 

 I go to Hillingdon on Wednesday, to present young 

 Jacquin to her. 



I now begin to answer your letter. — Thank you 

 for your care of the diplomas, and Van Berchemian 

 anecdotes thereunto belonging ! — how expressive ! 

 The Linnaean Society goes on admirably. We have 



