96 
we both know a large library takes up a deal of 
room. All this, and a great deal more that must be 
supposed, convinces me that it will require no small 
nor inelegant house to place so capital a collection 
and library in a commodious manner, such as will 
“answer your design in the possession. Indeed I 
perceive that, however probable the possession of 
this and your plan is to prove advantageous, I am 
afraid it is out of the reach of our abilities to attain. 
Had I but you, I had not hesitated one moment; 
every shilling of mine should be at your devotion 
to serve any good purpose; and your dear mother 
would be as contented as I should be, to retire upon 
the moderate income of our real estate, till Provi- 
dence, withdrawing us from the world, should leave 
you in possession of that also. That you have con- 
sulted Dr. Pitcairn and other judicious friends, I 
much approve; they and your own prudence will 
advise you about the intrinsic merit and value of 
the collection, how to have it examined, and every 
thing relating to that part of the business: but none 
of them can know how far the purchase would be 
expedient in our circumstances and situation ;—our 
own wisdom must guide us there. 
I cannot but suppose that the library of such a 
man as Linneus, and which is called a fine library 
too, must be worth a great deal, perhaps all the 
money advanced ; but upon the subject of its great 
supposed value, the character and esteem of its col- 
lector in his native country, who must be proud of 
him and everything tha belongs to him,—TI can 
hardly conceive they will suffer it to depart from 
