Ixxvi 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 



which I experienced from the Treasury* on my 

 return from Guiana. 



I had spent many years in trying to improve the 

 very defective process universally followed in pre- 

 paring specimens for museums. The reader will 

 see by the letter signed Lushington that I was sen- 

 tenced to pay pretty handsomely for my exertions. 



Stung with vexation at the unexpected contents 

 of that peremptory letter, and annoyed at the de- 

 tention of my collection, I determined not to com- 

 municate to the public the discovery which I had 

 made of preparing specimens upon scientific prin- 

 ciples ; but, in order to show what I had done, I 

 placed the nondescript in the Wanderings ; hoping 

 that its appearance 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, " os homini sublime;" or for 



* " Treasury Chambers, May 18th. j 



; " " Gentlemen, 



" The Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, having had 

 under their consideration your report of the 10th, on the application of Mr. 

 Charles Waterton, for the delivery, duty free, of some birds, quadrupeds, 

 reptiles, and insects, collected by him in Guiana, and recently imported 

 from Demerara, I have it in command to acquaint you that my Lords 

 have informed Mr. Waterton that, if he will specify the articles which he 

 intends to give to pubUc 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." 



