366 MISSION TO PORTUGAL. [1806. 



means by sending home the vouchers of money given 

 to spies, &c., as not one in ten of those gentry ever 

 gives a receipt ; my wish to be informed what other 

 vouchers I can send, and how I shall procure them. 

 I received saddle, &c., copying-machine, not a single 

 article of stationery, nor any guineas, nor anything 

 else. Mounier and Mrs Dove have made between 

 them a clean board. I say this rather that you may 

 tell me whom you gave the guineas to, than that you 

 should blame them for the other depredations. Pray 

 ask your servants if they took away my umbrella ; if 

 they did not, it has gone with the stationery. 



" I also mentioned in my private letter that until 

 I knew what sort of vouchers might be required from 

 you, I could not consent to transfer a single pound 

 from my account to yours. Indeed the whole ex- 

 pense is, I fancy, not likely to be great. 



" I grumbled a little in the same letter at the dul- 

 ness of Lisbon since you left it. I scarcely know it, 

 and literally know nobody in it. From this circum- 

 stance, I devoutly hope my mission eastwards will 

 soon commence. If it is very long delayed, I had 

 better come home and go out again. I mean better 

 for the service, for God knows the two voyages would 

 be un pen fort. 



" So you were after the famous amethyst at Oporto 1 

 I was beforehand with you, however : have it lying 

 beside me in a fine setting. I won't annoy you further 

 by telling you what a trifle I paid for it. Hill says I 

 got it for a quarter of its value. Can I be of service 



