THE SCOFFER ABROAD 187 



mendation ; and shall leave orders that they be delivered 

 to him whenever he will give himself the trouble of calling 

 for them in Soho Square." 



Mrs. North to Sir Joseph Banks. 



" FARNHAM CASTLE, August 9, 1787. 

 " SIR, I had the honour of your letter yesterday, and 

 am extremely concerned that I should be under the 

 necessity of giving you the trouble of receiving a second 

 letter from me. But as there seems to be a misunder- 

 standing relative to the drawings in question, I must beg 

 to refer you to the paper I gave you of Mr. Brown's 

 proposals, in which you will see that the letter-press was 

 only to contain an illustration of light and shade, and no 

 Botanical description to promote the communication of 

 his ideas to others. As I had received the two-and-a-half 

 guineas from you, I thought it right to state the case as 

 it really was, especially as I had acted the same by the 

 Duke of Northumberland and others. But I by no means 

 intended to impress you with sentiments of compassion 

 for Mr. Brown, but merely to give you the option of 

 taking the drawings or not as you thought proper; as 

 he does not stand in need of pecuniary assistance, though 

 he may want friends to bring him forward in the world 

 and do justice to his talents. In this light I solicited your 

 protection, and as it was with no other motive I must beg 

 to decline your offer of the two-and-a-half guineas. I 

 shall send the drawings and leave the money due to you 

 with your servant in Soho Square. I am," etc. 



Sir Joseph Banks to Mrs. North. 



" MADAM, The words of your last favour certainly 

 impressed me with the idea that Mr. Brown was in some 

 need of pecuniary assistance : which, misled by that 

 opinion, I offered willingly. I rejoice, however, to hear 



