268 
cabinet begins to fill. Jones is at work for me; 
and before the end of the season hopes, he says, to 
get me two hundred of the Lepidoptera; so that I 
shall begin to be somebody. I have lately made a 
purchase of Allioni’s St:rpes Pedemontane, at a 
venture; also I have set my writing-master to copy 
the defect in the second volume of De Geer. (How 
I like that work !) 
Now one has you so near as France, one is apt 
to think that it is no distance at all. Do pray let 
us know when you mean to be in England; how- 
ever, eager as I am to see you, study Tournefort’s 
herbarium well, and my wish is that you would go 
through the whole a second time. Second thoughts 
are best. You need not attempt to smuggle any 
French wine home. It is a cominodity which hangs 
terribly on hand,—so say the wine-merchants ; and 
no one calls for it ;—a true picture of John Bull! 
Tell him he must not have any thing :—Blood and 
thunder ! but he will. Give way to him,—fastidit et 
odit. We are all here upon the tiptoe of expecta- 
tion about the issue of affairs in Holland. Some 
positively assert that there will be war: we have no 
preparations for it. Mr. Pitt is said now to be for 
it, and a Great Personage against it. A few months 
ago they were of directly contrary opinions: Zem- 
pora mutantur nos et mutamurinills. I hope only 
to hear that you are alive and well. 
And am, ever yours, 
S. GOoDENOUGH. 
I approve entirely all that you say on sights and 
