350 LINNiEUS. 



in good part, and not to refuse me the favour of 

 your friendship. Mr Ellis^, in a recent letter, en- 

 courages me to believe that my correspondence may 

 not be unwelcome to you, v^^hich, you may v^^ell 

 suppose, has greatly delighted me ; and it has in- 

 duced me to hope you will pardon this intrusion. 

 I learn from him that you have already written to 

 me ; and it has given me no small concern that your 

 letter has never come to hand. I flattered myself, 

 as long as I possibly could, with the prospect of its 

 arrival ; but I have now given up all hopes, and am 

 only sensible of my loss and mortification. 



" Had it not been for the repeated encouragement 

 of Mr Ellis, I should scarcely ever have ventured to 

 expect that my friendship and correspondence could 

 engage your attention ; nor can I now attribute 

 your favour and kindness towards me to any other 

 cause than, probably, to the too partial representa- 

 tions of this friend. I fear that his usual indulgence 

 for me, of which I have had repeated instances, may 

 have prompted him to say more in my recommen- 

 dation than my abilities deserve, or than truth can 

 justify. 



'' Of this I am very certain, that if you do deign 

 to correspond with me, I can never repay such a 

 favour as it deserves. Nevertheless, I am ready to 

 receive and to obey your wishes and directions; 

 and if this country should afford any thing worthy 

 of your notice, I will, if you please, make descrip- 

 tions, or send specimens, with all possible care. 

 Your commands will indeed prove most welcome 

 to me. I have only to request that you will inform 

 me of every thing you want, and of the best methods 

 of preserving and forwarding specimens. Every 

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