WILLIAM SMELLIE. 37 



which give a perfect representation of the birds 

 in their natural colours. These plates are at 

 least as good as those of Mr Edwards, and they 

 are a thousand in number. It is the most beauti- 

 ful work of the kind ever exhibited to the 

 public. 



" In 1773 and 1774, I published two quarto 

 volumes, under the title of " Supplements serving 

 as Introduction to the History of Minerals," on 

 which subject I am now labouring. And in 

 1777, I published a quarto volume as a supple- 

 ment to the Natural History of Man. Finally, I 

 published in 1778, a fifth volume in quarto, 

 which is one of the most important of the whole 

 work, and is entitled, " Of the Epochs of Nature." 

 If you wish it, I shall present you with a copy of 

 this. But it is vexatious that war should inter- 

 rupt the communication between men of letters. 

 I much regret the loss sustained by the prema- 

 ture death of your illustrious navigator, Captain 

 Cook. You will see, Sir, when you read my 

 Epochs of Nature, that I have made much use of 

 his discoveries in the southern hemisphere. 



" If you do me the honour of writing to me, I 

 beg you will inform me whether Dr Horsley 

 has published his new edition of Newton's works. 

 I subscribed for a copy of this work, for which 

 I paid 120 livres to Lord Stormont's Secretary, 

 when he was ambassador in France. He is one 

 of your most accomplished countrymen, and 

 shewed me every mark of civility. I shall ever 

 respect both his merit and his person. I most 



