REVIVAL OF BOTANICAL EXPLORATION 267 



respect due to your distinguished merit and abilities ; 

 but the letter and presents with which you have lately 

 honoured me I particularly esteem as a prelude to a 

 nearer and more intimate acquaintance with you. 



"It is extremely gratifying to me to find that my 

 endeavours to assist Mr. Lance, and his Britannic 

 Majesty's gardener, in the highly useful and interesting 

 pursuits in which they have been engaged, have proved 

 acceptable. But I blush to receive for so trifling a favour 

 the very elegant return which you have made me. I 

 nevertheless readily accept of those presents as a testi- 

 mony of your esteem and regard. My apartments will be 

 adorned and my table will be graced by the several articles, 

 and they shall be so disposed as may appear most worthy 

 and honourable to the magnificent donor as well as 

 recall him oftenest to my remembrance. 



" If my country affords any natural or artificial 

 productions which may be curious or interesting in your 

 eyes, I trust you will inform me and signify your com- 

 mands ; for in endeavouring to execute them I shall have 

 a peculiar pleasure. 



" In the meanwhile I send a few presents which, being 

 more remarkable for their rarity and curiosity than for 

 their value or magnitude, I trust you will not hesitate 

 to accept, as a mark of the esteem and consideration with 

 which I have the honour to subscribe myself/' etc. etc. 



" List of articles : 



" No. i. A pair of large rosewood and glass lanterns, 



ornamented with silk Tassels. 

 " No. 2. A pair of large horn lanterns, ornamented 



with silk Tassels. 

 " No. 3. A set of 20 cups and covers of new and curious 



Porcelaine. 

 " No. 4. A set of 20 enamelled ornamental stands for 



ditto. 



