20 
had delightful weather, fine roads, and very capital 
towns to pass. We lodged on Tuesday at Alconbury 
Hill, a most excellent house, the neatest I ever saw; 
on Wednesday we breakfasted at Fen Stanton, and 
dined at Cambridge, where I showed John, King’s 
College chapel only, the walks, and fronts of the 
colleges, and the ‘streets: we had time for no more; 
and came to Newmarket to sleep. It was one of the 
meetings, so next day we went upon the course, 
heard a deal of betting, and saw three matches run. 
There was very little company, but some great men; 
the Duke of Grafton, Marquis of Rockingham, Earl 
of Egremont, and, above, all Mr. Charles Fox. It 
“was amusing and agreeable enough to see this pic- 
ture of human life. God be with you, and bless all 
your undertakings ! 
| Your ever affectionate Father, 
JAMES SMITH. 
Writing home to his father on the second of No- 
vember 1781, he acquaints him with the success of 
his introductory letters, and informs him that the 
person from whom he expects to derive most comfort 
and advantage is Dr. Hope*. “He has the highest 
character for abilities and real goodness of heart, 
and is a man of the first consequence in this place: 
his behaviour was at first (as it generally is) a little 
reserved; but botanical subjects opening the way, he 
became perfectly affable, and treats me with almost 
paternal tenderness. Having found that I was quite a 
novice in the study of medicine, he talked the whole 
* Dr. John Hope, professor of botany. 
