1774 "PUBLISH A QUARTO WORK" 259 



is this objection, that in a pair a male is implied, as well 

 as a female ; and yet he would sound awkward for a bird. 



Linn, is wrong past all doubt with respect to your 

 Eirundo hyemalis ; the melba is undoubtedly affinis to the 

 swift, but not your new swallow ; it can by no means be a 

 varietas apus. 



The rest of Mr. Pennant's drawings are here; you shall 

 be sure to have them as soon as I can find a safe method of 

 conveyance. I am glad your Fauna swells so fast. You must 

 publish a quarto work ; every man now publishes in quarto. 



It is not to be wondered at that you do not readily 

 find a master for Jack ; for our brother Benjamin, you see, is 

 under the same difficulty with respect to Edmund. 



Jack's epistle is of his own composing; I have altered 

 here and there a word, but inserted no sentence. 



" Orna me," is a sentence very familiar to me ; it is, 

 I think, in Tully's letters. 



Mrs. Barker writes me word this week that now she and 

 Mr. B. are come to a determination not to stir from home 

 this summer. They plead the ill health of old Mrs. Barker ; 

 and a great deal of repairs to be done to a farm-house. 



We have had continual showers for three weeks past; 

 much hay, especially clover, is totally spoiled; and much 

 meadow-grass, and among the rest my own, is still standing, 

 but growing too old. 



Harry still preserves your Barbary breed of fowls 

 distinct; but they labour under a disadvantage not very 

 convenient for this climate ; for their down comes off before 

 their feathers appear; and so they are stark naked for a 

 fortnight, a condition not very suitable to a cold, wet 

 summer. They are taller and more erect than our breed. 



As to franks pray think no more about them ; for unless 

 anything particular wants to be enclosed I never wish to 

 receive one again ; there is no money that I pay with more 

 satisfaction than postage of letters from friends. 



