24 



thee ; and with it I sent on board, in a canvass wrapper, a 

 large bundle of paper, a present from Dr. Dillenius, which, I 

 think, will furnish thee with paper for specimens, and for seeds, 

 for thy life time. It is fine Dutch paper, and very fit for such 

 purposes, because it will bear ink." 



(Then, after cordially thanking him for divers rare and curi- 

 ous objects of Natural History, just received, a bare reference 

 to each of which occupies two printed pages, he goes on,) 



" I thank thee for thy curious present of thy map, and thy 

 draught of the fall of the river Owegos (?). I was really both 

 delighted and surprised to Bee it so naturally done, and at thy 

 ingenuity in the performance. Upon my word, friend John, I 

 can't help admiring thy abilities in so many instances. I shall 

 be sparing to say what more I think. A man of thy prudence 

 will place this to a right account, to encourage thee to proceed 

 gently in these curious things, which belong to a man of leisure 

 and not to a man of business. The main chance must be 

 minded. Many an ingenious man has lost himself for want of 

 this regard, by devoting too much of his time to these matters. 

 A hint thee will take in friendship : thy obliging, grateful dis- 

 position may carry thee too far. I am glad and delight much 

 in all these things none more : but then I would not purchase 

 them at the expense of my friend's precious time to the detri- 

 ment of his interest and business, (now, dear John, take me 

 right.) I showed them to Sir Hans. He was much pleased. 

 Lord Petre deservedly much admires them ; and, indeed, does 

 every one that sees them, when they are told who was the per- 

 former. 



"All this is writ by rote, or from memory, for I dare not, nay, 

 I cannot, look into my letters ; for I have no time to add more, 

 but to tell thee in the trunk of the Library Company, thee'll 

 find a suit of clothes for thyself. This may serve to protect 

 thy outward man, being a drugget coat, black waistcoat, and 

 shagg breeches. And now, that thou may see I am not 

 thoughtless of thy better part, I send thee R. Barclay's Apolo- 

 gy, to replenish thy inward man. So farewell." 



In a postscript he adds : 



" There is a map, and another parcel or two besides for thee. 



