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most twelve months since, has made on my mind 

 too flattering an impression to allow me to forget, 

 that in the letter you then favoured me with, you 

 mentioned that in the months of April and May 

 you were usually in London. As I am now settled 

 there, permit me to hope that I may be so fortunate 

 as to be favoured with your personal acquaintance 

 when you this year make your annual visit. Though 

 after along and successless struggle I am compelled 

 to leave the country, my passion for plants rather 

 increases as the power of gratification diminishes; 

 and though I must henceforth, or at least till peace, 

 or something equally conclusive, dismisses me to 

 the continent, (whither I will go if I have strength 

 whenever it is practicable,) botanize on annuals in 

 garden pots out at a window, it will be a consider- 

 able consolation to have an opportunity of being 

 known to the principal of that delightful and sooth- 

 ing study ; and who is, as well in science as in be- 

 nevolence and cultivation of mind, an acquaintance 

 so greatly to be desired. 



I have not forgotten (being still compelled to 

 write, that my family may live) your hint of intro- 

 ducing botany into a novel. The present rage for 

 gigantic and impossible horrors, which I cannot but 

 consider as a symptom of morbid and vitiated taste, 

 makes me almost doubt whether the simple plea- 

 sures afforded by natural objects will not appear 

 vapid to the admirers of spectre novels and cavern 

 adventures. However, I have ventured a little of it, 

 and have at least a hope that it will not displease 

 those whose approbation I most covet. 



