1776 "HAVE A GOOD MANY CUTS" 279 



As you rather complain of some reserve on Benjamin's 

 side respecting your work, suppose you write to him, and ask 

 him how much he will give you downright clear of the plates 

 and printing for your copy; and then you will know your 

 certain gain, and will run no risk. Anything in the natural- 

 ist way now sells well. Or if he chuses to go shares in 

 profit or loss, enquire of him what proportion he should 

 think would pay him for conducting the sale and publication. 

 Booksellers have certainly a power of pushing books into the 

 world ; and it must be a work of great merit to obtain and 

 make its way invitis hiUiopolis. You mention also a want of 

 books: might you not also apply to Benjamin to know on 

 what terms he would furnish you with the use of books 

 proper for your purpose 'til you had completed your Fauna ? 

 It is highly proper, it seems, to have a good many cuts. 

 Mr. Curtis will superintend your engravings. 



Mrs. Chapone sold her two first vols, for £50. Now she 

 has made up a third from essays, poems, adventures, &c. and 

 sold that to another for £250 ; so that it is expected the man 

 will lose considerably by the purchase. 



Many thanks for the copies of your ' Gib. Letters,' which 

 are very entertaining. You have the advantage of me now, 

 since you have taken away my amanuensis. I am disturbed 

 that Mr. Shaw takes no manner of notice of the Hirundines ; 

 nor how far the melba and hyherna extend, as might have 

 been expected from his opportunities at Cadiz and elsewhere. 

 Pray let Capt. Shaw know, that if he comes to Alton I 

 should be glad to see him. The spirit for natural history 

 that you left behind you is by no means evaporated ; neither 

 is your mantle worn out. 



Lever has opened his museum at half a guinea per head. 

 Harry has got a fine roomy kitchen indeed, and will have a 

 fine parlor over. This addition shuts all his buildings finely 

 together; and nothing is to be regretted but the expense. 

 Sister Harry has got another fine boy, whose name is 



