MEMOIR OF DRURY. 57 



the value he set upon the collection was 1 000, 

 and he considered it, even at that time, as the first 

 in the world. In writing to Dr. Pallas, and asking 

 him to endeavour to find a purchaser, he speaks of 

 it as follows. cc I don't know whether the Empress 

 of Russia has any collection of Natural History ; if 

 she has, her munificence and bounty may induce 

 her to accept the offer I make of the disposal of 

 mine. Do not think me vain when I tell you that 

 I look upon it as the first in the world. The great 

 number of specimens procured from Africa (I mean 

 that part near Sierra Leone) and the Brazils, I think 

 cannot fail to render it superior to any yet known. 

 The incredible pains and trouble I have taken to 

 procure so vast a variety, I do not urge as a cir- 

 cumstance in its favour ; it best speaks its own 

 value ; but believe me, I would not go through the 

 same trouble again for a thousand pounds. My 

 third and last volume, likewise, which I am now 

 preparing, will inform you what amazing additions 

 have been made to it since the publication of the 

 two first, the great expense of procuring which I 

 am pretty certain will not be repaid me by the price 

 I set on it. I also intend to dispose of all the origi- 

 nal drawings from which the engravings have been 

 taken. These, I must inform you, are wonderfully 

 fine : Mr. Harris, the painter, who executed them, 

 and also engraved and coloured my work, having 

 exerted his utmost skill in making these drawings. 

 The latter I value at 325." * He likewise wrote 

 * These drawings, we are informed, are now in possession 



