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exaggerated in the newspapers. His three sisters 

 have 30,000/. a-piece, which is uncommon here; 

 and very good girls they are. The father did not 

 heap all on the one son. We are very tranquil here 

 and in all parts of the country; yet the newspapers 

 give quite a different account. 



From the same. 



My dear Friend, Dublin, March 25, 1801. 



Our epistolary intercourse is not very frequent, 

 but it must not drop altogether; — that idea I cannot 

 support. I am anxious to know how my amiable 

 friend and sometimes correspondent, Mrs. Smith, 

 does ; mention everybody when you find a moment's 

 leisure and disposition to think of the absent. 



My botanic study has been much interrupted, and 

 not by more agreeable occupation. I have now 

 begun however to resume. Flora Britannica is 

 my constant companion. Verbal description can 

 scarcely be conceived more clear or satisfactory; 

 and I fancy, when the spring is more advanced, it 

 will be a delightful guide through the fields. I per- 

 ceive, however, that nothing but long and constant 

 practice can render the Grasses intelligible and fa- 

 miliar, so that at the first glance the genus may be 

 known. I doubt what I wish for is not attainable, — 

 that some one, or two at most, distinct characters 

 should be pointed out, that for immediate use would 

 decide the plant, without entering into description 

 and minute examination. 



