[ n ] 
author, where he feems afraid that his paffions for 
his favourite fubjedt of Natural Hiflory, fhould get 
the better of nobler pur kbits, viz. the contempla* 
lion of his Maker. 
4 4 My petition to God (if petitions to God are not 
44 prefumptuous) is, that he would remove from me 
66 all defire of purfuing Natural Hiflory, or any o- 
64 therfludy; and xnfpire me with as much know* 
44 ledge of his divine nature as my imperfect flate is 
64 capable off; that I may conduct rnyfelf, for the 
44 remainer of my days, in a manner moil agree* 
64 able to his will, which mull confequently be mofl 
64 happy to rnyfelf. What my condition may be in 
44 futurity is known only to the wife difpofer of all 
44 things ; yet my prefent defires are (perhaps vain 
E 44 and 
In a fubfequent letter is the following remarkable pafiage ; 
Amico Snicer o Do . Ed war do. 
i f. p. d. Car. 'Linn^us. 
—“ Gratulor tibi de tot pulchris, tamque infinitis avibus rarifiimis, quot 
“ nullus umquam detexit nec umquam detegat, minus umquam tarn vivede 
“ delineabit, in quibus-nil deficit nifi cantus : has tamen decantabunt no- 
ki men, famamque tuam, tamdiu aves exiftant, et cum ii$ homines. Tu 
“ per has feculi nofiiri ornamentum immortale evafifli. Vive diu felix, et 
“ me inter finceros tuos cultores, numera. Saluta amicos rmos omnes ad 
** fingulos honeflifiimos Anglos naturae cultores.” 
Up folia, 1764, d. 13 April, 
