LETTER XXIII 



TO THE SAME 



SRLBORNK : Feb. 28, 1769. 



DEAR SIR, [Some avocation or business of one kin 

 or another has still prevented my paying that attention t 

 your kind letter of Jan. 22 : which it deserved. As at th 

 close of that letter you invite me in a most obliging manne 

 to come & spend some time in Flintshire ; that paragrap 

 seems to challenge my first attention. You will not, 

 hope, suspect me of flattery when I assure You that ther 

 is no man in the kingdom whom I should visit with mor 

 satisfaction. For as our studies turn the same way, & w 

 have been so well acquainted by a long & communicativ 

 correspondence ; I trust we should relish each other' 

 conversation, & be soon as well acquainted in person a 

 by letter. Besides your part of the world would not b 

 without its charms from novelty ; as I am not acquaints 

 with the N : W : part of this island any farther up thai 

 Shrewsbury. Your improvements, y r mines, y r fossils, \ 

 botany, your shores, y r birds, would all be matter of th 

 highest entertainment to me. 



But then how am I to get at all these pleasures I 

 amusements ? I have neither time nor bodily abilitie 

 adequate to so long a journey. And if I had time I an 

 subject to such horrible coach-sickness, that I should b 

 near dead long before I got to Chester. These difficulties 

 I know, will be matter of great mirth to you, who hav 

 travelled all over Europe ; but they are formidable to me 

 As therefore the man cannot come to the mountain ; 



hope the mountain (since friendship will effect strang 



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