constantly desirous of killing time they know not 

 how to employ ! and who express their esteem for 

 persons of a studious disposition by — a shrug. 



"Thus recluse, and little thinking how soon every 

 one of these good women would be obliged to lay 

 aside her cards (the last died literally with cards in 

 her hands), I too often felt the want of a present 

 friend. 



" Having mentioned these several matters, which I 

 could not resist communicating to you, I shall for- 

 get them for a while to turn to other subjects ; for 

 I have two letters from you ! ! — unanswered ! and 

 moreover I must talk a little botany, to convince 

 you that no circumstances whatever can divert me 

 totally from that delightful source of happiness, to 

 which I shall have recourse till my last breath. 



"I have something to tell you which will give you 

 pleasure, affording a new proof how much certain 

 good discoveries in botany are casual, and the effect 

 of some happy moment. 



"I went one day in August to my mountain Suchet. 

 In going up the fir woods at the side, I learnt by the 

 waving of the trees and the uncommon murmur, 

 where I am accustomed to delightful "horror ac si- 

 lentium\ that a strong wind had arisen. When I got 

 to the ridge with the intention of gaining the sum- 

 mit, I found the gale so strong, full against me from 

 the N.E., that after tying my handkerchief over my 

 hat and under my chin, every effort to get on was 

 useless ; when a leg was lifted, I was almost blown 

 back ; — you know by experience what is the power 

 of wind in such positions : I therefore declined it, 



