[ 12 ] 
le&ing with fome pains for thefe three years paft j 
and it will be a great fatisfa&ion to me if, by the 
means of this collection, fome of my countrymen, 
learned in natural hiftory, may be enabled to make 
fome ufeful difcoveries relative to volcanos c . 
I have alfo accompanied that collection with a 
current of lava from Mount Vefuvius; it is painted 
with tranfparent colours, and, when lighted up with 
lamps behind it, gives a much better idea of Vefu- 
vius, than is poffible to be given by any other fort ot 
painting. 
I have the honor to be, 
My Lord, 
Your Lordfhip's 
molt obedient, 
and molt humble fervant, 
William Hamilton. 
0 “ I am well convinced, by this collection, that many vari- 
“ egated marbles, and many precious {tones, are the produce 
“ of volcanos ; and that there have been volcanos in many parts 
“ of the world, where at prefent there arc no traces of them 
“ vifible.” This is taken from a prior letter of Mr. Hamilton, 
to the Prefident, dated April 7, 1767. 
PLATE 
