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obliging present of a “Sketch of a Tour on the 
Continent,” which I received some months since. 
What little acquaintance I had before the pleasure 
of having with you, I must confess interested me 
very sincerely in your success through life; as you 
appeared to merit in the highest degree the encou- 
ragement of every one who was anxious to promote 
that noblest of all studies, the study of natural hi- 
story. But since the perusal of your work, methinks 
I discern in your character some traits which, for 
the sake of my much-loved country, I most fer- 
vently wish were the leading ones in the character 
of every Englishman. You unite religious and moral 
with natural philosophy ; you permit it to conduct 
you, as it was ever intended it should, to the great 
Origin of all; and while it enlightens your mind to 
contemplate the most sublime subjects, it heightens 
your enjoyment of that infinite variety of pleasures 
which the society of those of a similar turn for im- 
provement must afford. While you have contracted 
no mean prejudice against those who may differ from 
you in opinion, your benevolence inclines you to 
think every individual of every persuasion entitled 
to your charity and good-will. Allow me therefore 
to assure you that, for the benefit of the world ia 
general, as well as those particularly of your own 
circle of friends, both Mr. Watt and myself most 
unfeignedly wish you health and long life! since 
we are both fully persuaded, if by an All-gracious 
Being you are blessed with the one, your ardent 
and indefatigable pursuit after useful knowledge 
will render the other a blessing to mankind. 
