1793 "BOEN AND BRED A GENTLEMAN" 255 



double the length of the fore-claws: but Linnaeus corrobo- 

 rates your remark by saying "Ungues validi, praesertim 

 posticus." You seem a little to misunderstand Scopoli re- 

 specting the spots on the inner side of the quill feathers: 

 by the inner side he does not mean the under side of the 

 wing next the body ; but only the inner or broader web of 

 the quills, on which those remarkable spots are found, as 

 appear by the drawing. I am much delighted with the 

 exact copies sent me in the frank, and so charmingly 

 executed by the fair unknown, whose soft hand has directed 

 her pencil in a most elegant manner, and given the speci- 

 mens a truly delicate, and feathery appearance. Had she 

 condescended to have drawn the whole bird, I should have 

 been doubly gratified ! It is natural to young ladies to wish 

 to captivate men : but she will smile to find that her present 

 conquest is a very old man. 



My best thanks are due for all your good offices respecting 

 my work, and in particular for your late recommendation to 

 the Duke of Portland. 



You did not in your last, take any notice of my enquiries 

 concerning wood-pecherSy whether they ever pierce a sound 

 tree, or only those that are tending to decay. I have 

 observed that with us they love to bore the edible chest- 

 nuts ; perhaps because the wood is softer than that of oak. 

 They breed in my outlet, I think in old willows. You have 

 not told me anything about Arthur Young. You cannot 

 abhor the dangerous doctrines of levellers and republicans 

 more than I do ! I was born and bred a Gentleman, and 

 hope I shall be allowed to die such. The reason you have 

 so many bad neighbours is your nearness to a great factious 

 manufacturing town. Our common people are more simple- 

 minded and know nothing of Jacobin clubs. 



I admire your fortitude, and resolution ; and wonder that 

 you have the spirit to engage in new woods, and plantations ! 

 Our winter, as yet, has been mild, and open, and favourable 



