AT MADRID. 



energy and zeal to an extent 01 scientific know- 

 ledge which presaged future excellence. 



While botanising among the Alps during his 

 return, Dombey received the welcome intelligence 

 that M. Turgot had, on the recommendation of 

 Jussieu, chosen him to go to Peru in search of 

 plants which might with advantage be naturalised 

 in Europe. He immediately returned (on foot) to 

 Paris, and was presented to the minister, from 

 whom he received his appointment, with a salary 

 of 3000 livres. The purpose of the French autho- 

 rities could not, however, be carried into effect 

 without the permission of the Spanish Govern- 

 ment, and this was not procured till the close of 

 the year 1776. The intermediate period was de- 

 voted by our naturalist to a diligent and steady 

 application, in order the more perfectly to qualify 

 himself for his arduous and most congenial under- 

 taking. 



On arriving at Madrid in November 1776, his 

 ardour met with several embarrassing checks in the 

 tedious delays and misplaced jealousy of the Spanish 

 Court, by whom he was encumbered with useless 

 instructions, and four companions were associated 

 with him, each of whom received a handsome 

 salary. His patience and courage were proof 

 against every annoyance : a new world was before 

 him, and he cared for notlrng save to be permitted 



