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should listen to this offer, he earnestly desires to 
buy the duplicates of plants, if any, at whatever 
price shall be judged reasonable. 
“T have lately employed a few hours in trans- 
lating into English a little treatise of Linnzus’s 
recommending the study of nature: it begins by 
showing that this study leads to a proper know- 
ledge of the Deity, then takes a comprehensive 
view of the ceconomy of nature, and ends with a 
number of curious and striking facts in the history 
of anumber of animals.—It is the Introduction to 
a large work of his, which few people here have 
seen; I think this preface would be very accepta- 
table to the public*. 
“T inclose you a preface to it of my own, and 
wish it may meet your approbation. I do not mean 
to put my name to it; all my friends will know it is 
mine; it is not of consequence enough to make me 
known, nor is my name of importance enough to 
make it sell.” 
Rev. Henry Bryant to Mr. James Edward Smith. 
Dear Sir, Heydon, May 28, 1785. 
Yours of the 19th came safe to hand, the con- 
tents of which gave me infinite satisfaction, as they 
informed me of your good state of health, and your 
laudable endeavours to acquire knowledge and lite- 
rary fame; and whatever may be in my power to 
forward such pursuits, you may at all times com- 
* Published in June 1785, under the title of ‘‘ Reflections on 
the Study of Nature.” 
