121 
enced a naturalist as yourself. I find by the cata- 
logue, there is a large number of letters from. va- 
rious learned men to the two Linnei, and you say 
I shall find some of yours among them, which you 
wish to have returned ; but as I shall be very soli- 
citous not to mutilate any part of the collection, I 
hope youll permit me to keep them; especially as 
returning them might expose me to endless solici- 
tations of the same kind. I hope you will rest as- 
sured that no improper use shall be made of any 
thing of that kind which may fall into my hands. 
Permit me in my turn to congratulate you on 
your late acquisition, I mean of an agreeable and 
accomplished partner for life. It will always give 
me real pleasure to hear of your happiness, or by 
any means in my power, to express the esteem and 
respect with which I am 
Your most obedient, 
J.E. Smira. 
Dr. Stokes to Mr. James Edward Smith. 
Dear Smith, Stourbridge, October 1, 1784. 
It was with the truest pleasure I learnt from your 
own hand, that you have no intention to dispose of 
any part of the collection. My application had only 
for its object the possibility of the contrary, and 
the fear lest so invaluable a treasure should pass 
into some foreign country, where the memories of 
Linnzus and his truly excellent son would find a 
less enlightened or less faithful guardian than your- 
