LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. 59 



spent many years in trying to improve the very defective process 

 universally followed in preparing specimens for museums. The 

 reader will see by the letter signed Lushington that I was sentenced 

 to pay pretty handsomely for my exertions. Stung with vexation at 

 the unexpected contents .of that peremptory letter, and annoyed 

 at the detention of my collection, I determined not to communicate 

 to the public the discovery which I had made of preparing specimens 

 upon scientific principles ; but, in order to show what I had done, I 

 placed the nondescript in the ' Wanderings ; ; hoping that its appear- 

 ance would stimulate to investigation those who are interested in 

 museums. Should there be any expression in the ' Wanderings ' by 

 which the reader may be led to imagine that I wish to pass off this 

 extraordinary thing either for the head and shoulders of a man, 

 1 os homini sublime;' or for those of an ape, ' Simla, quam similis 

 turpissima bestia nob is ; ' it is my earnest desire that the said ex- 

 pression may be considered null and void. I have no wish whatever 

 that the nondescript should pass for any other thing than that which 

 the reader himself should wish it to pass for. Not considering myselt 

 pledged to tell its story, I leave it to the reader to say what it is, or 

 what it is not. 



" Some of my encounters with wild beasts may appear hairbreadth 

 escapes, and very alarming things to readers at their own fireside ; 

 but to me, in the forest they appeared not so. We are told that death 

 itself is not heeded when the battle rages. This I believe ; for when 

 honour, fame, or duty urge a determined man forwards, I apprehend 

 that he knows not what it is to fear. Thus, the soldier marches 

 boldly on, even to the cannon's mouth ; the fox-hunter, in conscious 

 pride, flies over the five-barred gate ; and half way down Dover's 

 cliff ' hangs one that gathers samphire.' But, I ask, would a ' pam- 



mand to acquaint you that my Lords have informed Mr Waterton that, if he will 

 specify the articles which he intends to give to public institutions, my Lords will 

 not object to their being delivered duty free ; but that, with regard to the specimens 

 intended for his own or any private collection, they can only be delivered on pay- 

 ment of the ad valorem duty of 20 per cent. ; and I am to desire you will give the 

 necessary directions to your officers at Liverpool, in conformity thereto. 



" I am, &c. 



" (Signed) J. R. LUSHINGTON. 



" Commissioners of Customs." 



