406 DOCTOR FOTHERGILL [1767. 



laid aside for me. The reptiles may be put together in a little 

 common spirit : and the insects stuck through with a pin, and fixed 

 on the inside of a box made of some soft wood. Small birds may 

 be gutted and dried, filling them with tow and tobacco dust ; larger 

 may be opened and gutted ; then filled with salt and pepper. 



Whilst, however, I am putting thee upon these services, I must 

 desire thee not to give into these searches so much as either to 

 lessen thy attention to the duties of thy station here, or thy regard 

 to the more essential ones of another life. I endeavour to keep 

 all these things in their proper place ; and by no means permit 

 them to interfere with more important considerations. They are 

 lawful, but may not be to all expedient ; and whilst I am gratifying 

 an inclination the most innocent, I would take care not to hurt 

 another. I shall be pleased with thy correspondence, and, if oc- 

 casion offers, shall gladly promote thy interest here, as well as 

 contribute to it myself ; but still, remember these pursuits are not 

 the main business of life, but may be allowable relaxations. 



My brother Samuel remembers thy family, and speaks of them 

 with esteem. 



Follow the example of wise men ; seek their company, and then 

 thou will become such thyself, and an example to others. Farewell. 



John Fothergill. 



London, 18th 5mo. 1767. 



Esteemed Friend : 



Thou will see by the inclosed, that it was wrote a considerable 

 time ago, to acknowledge the favour of thy collection of seeds. I 

 was at that time prevented from sending it, and the more dis- 

 couraged, as I could not get Miller's G-ardener's Dictionary, 

 which is still out of print. I have sent, however, an abridgment 

 of this work, not long since published, which I hope will prove 

 acceptable ; though this is not intended as a compensation for thy 

 trouble, but merely as an acknowledgment. 



If thou will continue thy farther care in collecting American 

 seeds, and inform me in what manner I can, with most advantage 

 to thyself, compensate thy care and labour, it will be an additional 

 satisfaction to 



Thy friend, 



J. Fothergill. 



