23 
tained is their fruition, to which I am sensible in 
proportion to that fond and eager desire for your 
welfare and prosperity, from which they owe their 
existence. It cannot be doubted but you will recom- 
mend yourself wherever you are by those amiable 
qualities that gained and fixed you so many friends 
in your native place; and I trust to your discretion 
and knowledge of the world to distinguish and 
choose such among those that present themselves to 
your acquaintance, that you will be able to reap 
most advantage from in point of knowledge, true po- 
liteness, and sincere friendship. As for morals, you 
aretoo well grounded in virtue, and sound, unaffected 
piety, to make it at all necessary for me to mention 
them, as I am sure you will shun the immoral and 
profane, both from taste and principle. 
We are happy to hear you are so satisfied with 
your lodgings, and the company you find in them, 
especially the young Swede, whose acquaintance 
must be both entertaining and useful, and his friend- 
ship may be of service when and where you don’t 
expect it*; so it may be right to cultivate it, when 
you have sounded the heart; you know if that be 
not good, no reliance is to be had upon even warm 
professions. It is agreat comfort to us that you are 
received so kindly by Dr. Hope, and that you have 
fallen into such hands as may supply in a great 
measure the place of a father to you; and I have no 
* There appears something prophetic in this observation. It 
was Dr. Engelhart who recommended Sir James to Dr. Acrel, 
and was mainly instrumental in the acquisition of the Linnzean 
collections, as will be noticed hereafter. 
