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am in hopes the painting of my (laughter promises 

 to be very accurate. 



I am, with great respect, Sir, 



Your faithful Servant, 



B. Winchester. 



From Mr. Brodie. 



Dear Sir, March 31, 1801. 



Believe me, I shall always feel much pleasure in 

 exerting myself to gratify your wishes, or those of 

 any friend in whom you take an interest. My poor 

 girl had the same desire, — that of rearing all sorts 

 of birds from the egg ; and succeeded with a great 

 many, but was always baffled in the Ptarmigan, from 

 the distance ; for notwithstanding every precaution 

 in packing, and their being carried by a man hired 

 on purpose, swung in his hand, they were always 

 addled. I would recommend their being sent by 

 sea, for many reasons, — a principal one, that there 

 is no mail-coach at present beyond Aberdeen. 



As to the Black Game, they are become so scarce 

 in Scotland that I am at a loss even how to advise 

 you in procuring them. I remember in the year 

 1770, when I resided about ten miles immediately 

 to the westward of Morpeth in Northumberland, 

 they were in immense flocks on an estate in the 

 neighbourhood, belonging to (I think) Greenwich 

 Hospital, having been part of the Derwent Water 

 estate. Perhaps this hint may be of service. The 



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