JET. 23.] MY BROTHER'S DEATH. 227 



had occurred to me that my father's old friend and 

 schoolfellow, Sir Joseph Banks, who had on several 

 occasions expressed an interest in my welfare, might 

 have it in his power to help me. I have through the 

 kindness of a friend been furnished with the copy of 

 a letter I wrote to Sir Joseph, with whom I had been 

 in correspondence on some matters relating to science, 

 and also on the subject of my future career. The 

 letter is as follows : 



"EDINBURGH, Dec. 10, 1800. 



" SIR, I was honor'd with the receipt of yours in 

 course. I beg you will believe me when I express my 

 satisfaction at your prospects of speedy recovery. I am 

 only afraid lest your goodness towards me may have led 

 you to exert in writing before it was quite safe, still 

 more before it could be convenient. It would surely be 

 superfluous to return my warmest thanks for the new 

 proofs which your letter contains of the interest you 

 are so kind as to take in my trivial and humble con- 

 cerns ; but I avail myself with pleasure of the liberty 

 which you give me, to trouble you once more upon 

 the subject. 



" My resolution is still unaltered to attempt an 

 opening in the political line. The difficulty, however 

 great, is not sufficient to deprive me of some hopes 

 that such an opportunity may occur. I believe I 

 mentioned in my last, that perhaps some private con- 

 nections of your own might afford you a chance of 

 hinting something in my behalf. I did not venture 

 to expect that you would set about finding such op- 



