127 
The whole cost of the collection, including the 
freight, was 1088/. 5s. 
So nice does Dr. Acrel’s conduct appear in the 
negotiation between himself and the purchaser, re- 
jecting all offers till the first was concluded, that a 
report of his being bribed with a hundred pounds 
was circulated in various quarters. In a letter to 
him, Sir James says, “ Dryander immediately contra- 
dicted this malicious falsehood ; but it gives me much 
concern that your conduct, which has been so ho- 
nourable, should have made youenemies. I should be 
very unhappy if you suffer on my account, and shall 
always be ready to bear witness to the rectitude of 
your behaviour, and can at any time produce all the 
letters that have passed between us, as a proof. 
“ Between ourselves, it is certainly a disgrace to 
the university that they suffered such a treasure to 
leave them: but if those who ought most to have 
loved and protected the immortal name of Linné 
failed in their duty, he shall not want a friend or an 
asylum while I live or have any power, though ever 
so small, to do him honour.” 
Sir James’s first idea was to deposit his purchase 
in some spare rooms in the British Museum; but 
he found some objections to the scheme, and pre- 
ferred taking a house, that it might be safer, and 
more accessible to himself and his friends. He 
therefore hired apartments in Paradise-row, Chel- 
sea, whither it was immediately conveyed ; and often 
has he recurred with great pleasure to the first win- 
ter after its arrival, when, with Sir J. Banks and Mr. 
Dryander, they examined the herbarium minutely, 
