XI 
connoissance d’une si grande faveur que je dois a leur bienveil- 
lance, et que non seulement notre president, mais encore tous ceux 
a qui je pourrai le communiquer, sfauront que l’lnstitut National 
ne doit pas seulement sa juste reputation a letendue de ses con- 
noissances, mais a sa generosite, a son humanite, et a Loutes les 
vertus sociales, qu’elle scait si bien pratiquer. 
“ J'ai Fhonneur, &c. &c. 
“ James Forbes/' 
Paris, 11 Messidor, An 12. 
(30th June, 1804.,) 
The manuscripts from which these volumes are compiled, and 
the drawings which illustrate them, have formed the principal 
recreation of my life. The pursuit beguiled the monotony of four 
India voyages, cheered a solitary residence at Anjengo and Dhu- 
boy, and softened the long period of absence from my native coun- 
try: it has since mitigated the rigor of captivity, and alleviated 
domestic sorrow. Drawing to me had the same charm as music 
to the soul of harmony. In my secluded situation in Guzerat, I 
I seemed to be blest with another sense. My friends in India 
were happy to enlarge my collection ; the sportsman suspended 
his career after royal game to procure me a curiosity ; the Hindoo 
often brought a bird or an insect for delineation, knowing it would 
then regain its liberty ; and the brahmin supplied specimens of 
fruit and flowers from his sacred enclosures. 
India formerly was not the resort of artists ; when there I had 
