63 



as descriptions, dry plants, insects, shells, animals 

 both stuffed and in spirits, &c. &c, the whole of 

 which amounted to larger collections than I ever 

 had at once in this country before; but the loss of 

 some of my manuscripts, and particularly my jour- 

 nal, which I had kept from my arrival here to the 

 present time, is irreparable ; and if I should value 

 all my losses, I could not make them less than 1 500/. 

 or 1600/. ; though manuscripts, particularly when 

 they are intended for publication, are invaluable, 

 and may be worth double the sum you first thought 

 of. I am in very little hopes that the Directors will 

 repay me anything; and if they do, it will be a pal- 

 try sum I know. I must therefore rely upon my 

 own exertions and the assistance of my friends, till 

 I may be able to acknowledge their kindness. The 

 present time is the worst, and before any vessel can 

 arrive, which I hope will supply me again with all 

 necessary articles ; in the mean time I must be pa- 

 tient, and do as well as I can. 



When you see the Marchioness of Rockingham, 

 I wish you would tell her something of my distress, 

 if you think proper. After having told you that I 

 am now reduced quite to a beggar, I do not need to 

 apologize for my scrawl and bad paper : I am glad 

 to have any thing to write with and upon. 



I am yours, affectionately, 



Ad. Afzelius. 



P. S. Just this moment, when I was going to seal 

 up the letter, arrives a chartered ship, the Achilles 

 of Liverpool, Captain Hogg, after seven weeks' pas- 



