34 



as unnecessary ; as you will judge, that if I had not 

 thought that parents ought to attend to the care of 

 their children's principles, I should not have asked 

 a person — for my misfortune far too distant from 

 me, to fill this ceremony. I wished that my child 

 might have you for his friend, and I am certain that 

 it will be so. I may safely say that the reasoning 

 you make use of is in such perfect concord with 

 good sense, that if I were obliged to make a formal 

 declaration of my ideas, they would agree very well 

 with yours ; and I would readily^infuse them into my 

 child. My devotion is mostly private, though I fre- 

 quent the church here, and I believe I may any one 

 that is Protestant, without any great impropriety. 



I at no time feel myself so deeply penetrated with 

 veneration for the Divinity as in the contemplation 

 of his works, and hope that the tears of delight and 

 adoration which often escape me in my herboriza- 

 tions, and in examining the wonderful structure and 

 providence so striking in every object, are as ac- 

 ceptable to Him, and as fit to secure me His bless- 

 ing, as my prayers ; and indeed I experience now, 

 with gratitude, more happiness than I could ever 

 have hoped. 



May Heaven preserve you, my best friend, for 

 botany and me ! You are and ever will be the first 

 object of my prayer. My wife and aunts desire their 

 compliments. 



Your devoted and most affectionate, 



E. Davall. 



