THE RIGHT HON. LADY ELIZABETH BLIGH. 



MADAM, 



AT a time like the present, when rank and 

 affluence unite to promote the best interests of science, 

 permit me to express the pleasure I experience, in 

 presenting to the Botanical world this testimony of my 

 zeal, under the promising advantages of your immediate 

 protection. 



The success of young authors, unless attended with 

 conditional recommendations, is always very precarious ; 

 but possessed, as I have the honour to be, of your Lady- 

 ship's favourable opinion, and supported with the ap- 

 probation of other distinguished and literary members 

 of society, I shall venture to publish this Introductory 

 Work, under an assurance, that the same generous 

 feelings which have sanctioned the undertaking will also 

 excuse its failings, by reflecting only on the real claims 

 of merit it may have to the confidence so freely and 

 handsomely bestowed. 



That it may prove more deserving of your Ladyship's 

 future consideration than I anticipate, and be an ac- 

 ceptable oflfciing to the Public, is my earnest and 



