i87 



neighbours, Mafia." My mind, again, hurried 

 to my friends in England, and I wifhed I could 

 convey to you a dozen chefts as frefh, and as 

 fragrant as they were, then, before my eye* 

 Although in this wifli I could not hope to be 

 gratified, it occurred to me, that to many of 

 my countrymen, not fo far diftant, they might 

 prove highly grateful and refrefhing; therefore, 

 availing myfelf of the information, I wrote to 

 Mynheer Meertens — the attorney of the eftate, 

 and have obtained permiffion to gather baf- 

 kets of oranges for the fick foldiers, whenever 

 I pleafe. To have had this the refult of my 

 walk, I could have extended it to the extrem- 

 eft depth of the grove, although the fangui- 

 nary mufquitoes had intoxicated themfelves 

 with deep draughts from my veins. 



I fliould feel it an unworthy omiffion not 

 to give you a copy of Mynheer Meerten's 

 obliging note to the manager, after reading my 

 requeft. It was as follows : " Monfr. Keller, 

 a .'habitation Vleffingen aura la bonte de pro- 

 curer, de terns en terns, pour les militaires qui 

 font malades, les fruits tels qu'ils s'y trouvent. 

 U obligera, fon tres humble ferviteur. 



A, Mbertens." 



