108 
I shall now look up to you as to a second Lin- 
neus, and without any compliment I think you 
highly deserving of being the possessor of such re- 
mains: at the same time I am afraid your other 
more serious pursuits will not suffer you to make 
the use of them your abilities would otherwise en- 
title you to. The English botanist will now have 
an opportunity of knowing what natives of his own 
country are in the Sp. PI. 
In hopes of hearing from you a little oftener, 
I remain, dear Sir, 
Yours sincerely, 
J. PITCHFORD. 
Dr. Withering to Mr. James Edward Smith. 
Dear Sir, Birmingham, May 27, 1784. 
I thank you most sincerely for the very judicious 
and liberal criticisms you have made upon the sheet”, 
and am happy to inform you that the work in its 
new form meets with the approbation of all who 
have seen it. Your remarks upon the difficulties of 
making the references are unfortunately too true ; 
but as nothing is taken upon authority, I hope the 
actual examination made upon this occasion will do 
away more error than it will introduce. 
Our friend Dr. Stokes has undertaken this part 
of the business, and I think his accuracy and in- 
dustry, as well as his experience, will not be readily 
* Of the 2nd edition of Dr. W.’s Botanical Arrangement, the 
Ist edition of which was published in 1776 in two volumes. 
