Ill 



p&ietre de rcconnoissance si vous daignez m'honorer 

 de vos conseils. 



Je suis, avec line haute consideration, 

 Monsieur, 

 Votre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur, 



B. MlRBEL. 



De Malmaison, a 13 PraJrial, an 12, 1804. 



From the Duke of Bedford. 



Sir, Woburn Abbey, Nov. 11, 1804. 



I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 

 of the 7th instant, inclosing one for Dr. Abbot on 

 the subject of the Salix Riisselliana. I have de- 

 rived much gratification from the distinct and satis- 

 factory manner in which you draw the line between 

 his Willow and the S. fragUis of Linnaeus ; not 

 merely from the pleasure I feel from everything 

 that tends to elucidate the science of botany, but 

 because I have a peculiar interest in this Willow, 

 from the circumstance of its having been cultivated 

 here by one * whose most anxious and warmest 

 pursuit was a knowledge and improvement in every 

 branch of agriculture, and the consequent benefit 

 to the community at large. It remains for me only 

 to return you my best thanks for this obliging com- 

 munication of your opinion, and to assure you that 

 I am, Sir, 



Your very faithful 



Bedford. 



I have lately discovered accidentally, that my 

 * His Grace's brotber, Francis Duke of Bedford. 



