94 THE LIFE OF PHILIP HENRY GOSSE. 



" professional pursuits : suppose it were only twenty 

 " acres, it would materially aid your domestic economy. 



" And now, as you have ' drawn me out ' by asking 

 " about entomology, pardon me if I mount my hobby 

 " for a few moments. Since my arrival, I have enriched 

 " my cabinet with a great number of new and splendid 

 " insects ; indeed, to a naturalist, this country holds out 

 " a charming field of exploration in all branches of 

 "natural history. My agricultural labours are not so 

 " severe or so engrossing as to prevent xsxy having some 

 "time to devote to the pursuit of my interesting science, 

 " of which I do not fail to avail myself. When I was 

 "in Quebec, I made the acquaintance of one or two 

 " members of the Literary and Historical Society, who 

 "introduced me to their museum, and promised to pro- 

 " pose me as a corresponding member. (A correspond- 

 "ing member must be a non-resident, and/^jj- no fees.) 

 " I have written to Quebec since I have been here, but 

 " have received no answer, so I suppose the promise has 

 " been forgotten. Perhaps you have become acquainted 

 "with some of the members of the Natural History 

 " Society of Montreal ; if so, would you be kind enough 

 "to inquire if a person residing here could be admitted 

 " as a corresponding member, and if so, what qualifica- 

 " tions would be required, what fees, etc. t I have col- 

 "lected many duplicate specimens of insects which I 

 "had intended for the museum at Quebec, but if they 

 " would be received at Montreal, I should prefer sending 

 "them there. Perhaps it would not be troubling you 

 " too much, to ask if there are at present any entomo- 

 " logical members, and whether they are scientific. I 

 " should like very much to have some scientific friend 

 " in this country, with whom I could correspond. I 

 " hope you will excuse my boldness in asking so many 



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