UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 243 



within, cease, and the light is more freely trans- 

 mitted." 



My uncle and Mr. R. talked a long time on 

 the subject, and tried several other experiments, 

 explaining to us the reasons for each step they 

 took; but I have said enough to shew you that 

 I endeavoured to understand what they were 

 doing, and this I am sure will give you pleasure. 

 Indeed the advantages of beins able to com- 



O O 



prehend something of the conversation of such 

 people is so great, that I cannot sufficiently 

 thank you for having given me a little taste for 

 science. You used to say that there was great 

 danger of making girls conceited by giving them 

 a smattering of science ; but I assure you that I 

 shall keep a careful watch over myself in that 

 respect ; the little knowledge I have is only a 

 peep-hole through which I see the boundless 

 stores that I can never hope to possess and 

 surely this can only make me more humble. 



Nov. 1st. I had not time yesterday to say 

 any thing of the plant which produces the taba- 

 sheer ; and perhaps Marianne might like to have 

 the particulars that we were told. 



It is the bamboo-cane, which is of the 

 -same natural order as the grasses ; it grows 

 in both hemispheres, almost anywhere within 

 the tropics, and very abundantly in the East 

 Indies. The main roots are thick and jointed, 



Y 2 



