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well as describe the objects and pleasures of this 
delightful tour. How frequently soever these coun- 
tries have been visited, descriptions of them seem 
never unwelcome to the reader. A traveller, who 
preceded Sir James, observed of Italy, that it is “a 
fine well-known academy figure, from which all sit 
down to make drawings, according as the light falls, 
and their own seat affords opportunity.” So, like 
the pencil or the chisel, the pen also portrays, not 
merely the scene, but the character of the mind 
which directs it, making either a beautiful, a grand, 
or a mean representation. 
The friendly letter of introduction to Professor 
Allamand, which the traveller carried with him, 
from Sir J. Banks, may, without seeming too arro- 
gant, precede the other correspondence; and is 
given as a proof of the high esteem in which, at so 
early a period, Sir James was held by that eminent 
man. 
Letter of Introduction from Sir Joseph Banks to 
Professor Allamand, Leyden. 
Sir, London, June 16, 1786. 
Give me leave to recommend to your notice the 
bearer of this, Mr. Smith: he is an enthusiast in 
natural history, and I really hope will one day be- 
come one of the chief supports of that science. 
He has purchased at a very liberal price the her- 
barium, library and other collections of our great 
master Linnzus, and has for some time had them 
-in his possession. You will find him well informed 
