Vlll 
of Ventose I addressed a letter to General Berthier, minister of 
war, requesting permission to drink the waters at Bareges; but I 
have not yet been honoured with an answer. Could you have the 
goodness to procure me this favour, and, still more, could you 
second the wishes of the President and members of the Royal 
Society, by enabling me to return to England before declining 
years render me incapable of finishing my undertaking, you will 
confer the greatest obligation on, 
“ Sir, 
“ Your obliged and obedient servant, 
Verdun, 21 st Germinal, An 12. 
(Wth April, 1804;. 
“ James Forbes/’ 
Copy of the Answer from the Secretary to the National Institute 
at Paris. 
<s A. Monsieur James Forbes, Anglais, Membre de la Societe Royal , 
a Verdun, sur Meuse. 
Institut National, 
Classe des Sciences, Physiques, et Mathematiques. 
Paris, le 19 Floreal, 
- An 12 de la Republique Francaisc. 
“ A Monsieur James Forbes, de la Societe Roya/e, et de celle des Antiquaires 
de Londres. 
“ Je m’empresse de vous annoncer, Monsieur, que 
la Classe s’est mterressee pour vous aupres du Ministre de la 
