MEMOIR OF DRURY. 45 



liberty of informing your Grace that a ship is now 

 going to that part, and as I am to send some things 

 to him, will with pleasure receive your subscription 

 on his account. I must also beg leave to inform 

 you that I have just received an exceeding fine 

 collection of insects from him, which are in the 

 finest condition I ever saw come from abroad. His 

 collection of shells, birds, plants, &c. are now on the 

 sea, under the care of a gentleman coming from 

 that part; and as Mr. Banks and Dr. Fothergill 

 are out of town, they will not be shared these two 

 months. Therefore, if your Grace pleases to advance 

 the money for your subscription, you will have the 

 opportunity of sharing the first of his collection in 

 those branches, as well as the insects now arrived ; 

 and I am strongly inclined to think there will not 

 be* a second collection come from him in such fine 

 order as these. 



" I am, with the utmost respect, * 



" Your Grace's most obedient and *. 

 " Humble Servant, 



" D. DRURY. 



The Duchess subscribed 100, and thus Became 

 a sharer in the treasures transmitted by Smeathman. 

 A proposal was at one time made by Dr. Fothergill 

 and some other gentlemen to fit out a vessel for 

 Smeathman; to provide him with a number of 

 assistants ; and send him to the coast of Africa to 

 collect whatever objects in natural history he could 

 obtain : but this munificent scheme was never car- 



