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happiness, that your mind is so naturally formed for 
virtue, that our minds are entirely at ease on that 
account, which is the most important of our con- 
cerns about you nevertheless, and that they are only 
the subordinate cares for your health and prosperity 
that give us much anxiety. Thanks to you for the 
account you give us of your intimates! it delights us 
that you find such congenial to your own mind. ‘The 
establishment of your new society for natural hi- 
story, in which you appear so conspicuously, fills us 
with pleasure which need not be described; we flatter 
ourselves it is a presage that you will arrive at emi- 
nence in your profession, and reap a good harvest 
of honour and profit. How happy will that make 
both your most affectionate parents in the decline of 
life! What joy is it to us to contemplate, that as 
you must now be the fabricator of your own fortune, 
you begin your career so happily! You are certain 
you have our daily prayers for the continuance of 
the protection and favour of our universal Parent 
and Benefactor, whose blessing I have no doubt 
you omit not to solicit yourself, with a piety which 
I trust never will forsake you. 
“JT would by no means oppose your journey to the 
Highlands, if it would answer any good purpose, of 
which you are to be the judge; and Dr. Hope’s 
sending his son along with you is a pledge of its 
safety: but by no means go without one baggage 
horse at least; I think you had best have a galloway 
to ride, and if not each one, at least one amongst 
you in case of weariness or “any accident, and take 
guides as often as there is a chance of wanting 
