394 
Rev. Wm. Kirby * to J. EF. Smith, PLS. 
Dear Sir, Barham, Dec. 5, 1791. 
I received your letter and obliging present, which 
I shall keep as a precious relic, not only on account 
of their great original possessor, but also for the 
sake of the worthy donor, whose name I prophesy 
will not be forgotten while that of Linnzus is re- 
membered, and the study of the works of an all- 
wise Creator continues to be a favourite pursuit 
with enlightened Europe. Pray give my compli- 
ments to Mr. Marsham, and tell him I am prepa- 
ring another box of insects for him. I was much 
gratified lately by having an opportunity of calling 
upon Mr. Woodward, who very obligingly showed 
me his herbarium and collection of fossils. I men- 
tioned to him a plan upon which we had some con- 
versation when you were at Ipswich,—I mean the 
establishment of a provincial society for the pro- 
motion of the knowledge of the natural history of 
this county. He approved much of the design, 
and desired to be a member, in case such an insti- 
tution should take place. I have a friend in an 
adjoining parish, who is a very ingenious naturalist, 
(Rev. Charles Davy}, of Caius Coll.,) with whom I 
have had some conversation upon the subject; and 
he tells me that he has had the same idea long in 
* Author of a very delightful Introduction to Entomology, in 
union with Mr. Spence. 
} Translator of Bourrit’s Letters upon the Glaciers, and son 
of the Rev. C. Davy, of Onehouse, in Suffolk, the very learned 
author of Letters on Literature. 
