LXIY.] 
187 
Frequent returns of deafness incommode me sadly, and half 
disqualify me as a naturalist ; for, when those fits are upon me, 
I lose all the pleasing notices and little intimations arising from 
rural sounds ; and May is to me as silent and mute with respect 
to the notes of birds, &c., as August. My eyesight is, thank 
God, quick and good ; but with respect to the other sense, I am, 
at times, disabled : 
" And wisdom at one entrance quite shnt out." 
Srlborne, yepf. lo, 1774. 
LETTEE EXIV. 
TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQ. 
Some future faunist, a man of fortune, ^Y\W, 1 hope, extend his 
visits to the kingdom of Ireland ; a new field, and a country 
little known to the naturalist. E[e will not, it is to be wished, 
undertake that tour unaccompanied by a botanist, because the 
mountains have scarcely been sufficiently examined ; and the 
southerly counties of so mild an island may possibly afford some 
plants little to be expected within the British dominions. A 
person of a thinking turn of mind will draw many just remarks 
from the modern improvements of that country, both in arts 
and agriculture, where premiums obtained, long before they were 
heard of with us. The manners of the wild natives, their super- 
stitions, their prejudices, their sordid way of life, will extort 
from him many useful reflections. He should also take with 
him an able draughtsman ; for he must by no means pass over 
the noble castles and seats, the extensive and picturesque lakes 
and waterfalls, and the lofty stupendous mountains, so little 
known, and so engaging to the imagination when described 
and exhibited in a lively manner : such a work would be well 
received. 
