seller to procure it, which he has not been hitherto able to do, though I should wish at some future period to peruse it. At present I am engaged in some literary pursuits, which will prevent me from adding a fourth volume to my "Hints," for some months at least. To this consideration it may be added, that a man nearly threescore should relinquish the task to some more powerful and juvenile arm.

I thank thee for thy favourable opinion of my religious sentiments, to which I am no bigot; ever thinking as well of other religions and sects, as I do of that in which I was born, and now remain - as I believe, the only Quaker in the world a West Indian.

I associate more with the Clergy than with my own Society; and I claim a major part of my rational pleasures and friendships from them; nor do I scruple to attend them in Divine Service. I consider all the rational creation my brothers and sisters, of one independent, impartial, and beneficent Father. Whilst we admit few ceremonies, I do not condemn those of others, wishing every one to pursue that system which his belief convinces him brings him nearest to his Creator, to whom he is amenable. Under these feelings, which I acquired when young, and which I cannot now abandon,

I remain respectfully,

J. C. LETTSOM.

LETTER CVII.

Rev. Friend,

From the same.

London, Sept. 25, 1804. Besides the favour of thy excellent letter, I acknowledge the receipt of the Garden Calendars, with many thanks. They contain a great deal of useful matter judiciously sorted and condensed, in a manner better to be understood, and easier to resort to, than Miller, Mawe, or Abercrombie. The two latter, I believe, are one and the same person. I think, however, that if the sheet were done in the same-sized letter, but in a pocket set, or volume, it would be more durable, as well as more readily consulted. Perhaps if it were printed on card-paper, one month to occupy one card, and then fitted in a case, it would form a very acceptable companion for the traveller, as well as the resident gardener or horticulturist. A Society has recently been formed here, under the title of Horticultural, which I think must be highly national and useful in a Country where the produce of the garden constitutes nearly, if not wholly, one half of our vegetable diet, and almost the whole of our luxuries in the vegetable kingdom.

I have taken the liberty of transmitting a performance of mine; but, like Diomede, I can only give a brazen shield for the golden one of Glau

eus.

With respect to the pamphlet* proposed to be lent to me, I think it at present unnecessary to send it, for I shall not be able to add any additional volume to my Hints for the space of a year to come. My professional duties incessantly occupy me, and compel me to write all my essays in my carriage, which is a material cause of their incorrect state. Every month there is a Letter of mine on Prisons in the Gentleman's Magazine. In the next European Magazine will appear my Memoirs of Dr. Jenner, the discoverer of Vaccine Inoculation. I have begun Memoirs of Dr. Johnstone, of Worcester, deceased; and the Life of another friend; so that, at a period of life when I should commit the task to some strong and youthful arm, I am engaged in too many Herculean labours: mine, indeed, seem to be with an HYDRA: for as soon as I think I have dispatched one head, others spring up, and I do not seem to be any the nearer to the end of them. Permit me to repeat wishes for the success of thy literary labours, and believe me, respectfully thine,

my

J. C. LETTSOM.

* Nelson's Address. ED.

LETTER CVIII.

The Rev. J. PLUMPTRE, to Dr. LETTSOM.

Hinxton Vicarage, Nov. 27, 1804.

Respected Friend,

Your munificent and obliging present reached me here on Sunday, and to-day, on my return to Cambridge, I found your farther favour of a Letter. I beg you to accept my most sincere thanks for all. I am sorry that my time at present will not permit me to read all your communications with the attention I could wish, but I read Dr. Valpy's excellent Sermon on Sunday evening, and have just read Grove Hill. As a book, it is beautiful, as a work pleasing, and, should I ever get into a place where I am at all likely to be settled, I shall endeavour to imitate your plans in a humble way. I have been a great, though not a useful traveller, in my time; having taken several journeys on foot to the Lakes, Scotland, Wales, &c. In the course of these I have seen much delightful scenery, and gleaned ideas of various kinds, and I once had it in contemplation to bring them all together in an

* The Anniversary Sermon of the Royal Humane Society for 1806. ED.

† A Descriptive Poem, with an Ode to Mithra, by the learned Author of Indian Antiquities, Lond. 1799, 4to. The wood-cuts by Anderson are unrivalled, perhaps, for the elegance with which they are executed. ED.

imaginary tour. I should have supposed the traveller to have set off for the North, and got to a part hitherto undescribed, where a nobleman resided in a castle, situated on an extensive lake; and I intended to give an account of the various plans he had formed for doing good to all about him to describe the castle, with its library, museum, pictures, statues, &c. his modes of life and amusements, the town, inn, the country, &c. &c. and to have accompanied it with plans and views, some of which I had sketched; but more important occupations have prevented my pursuing it. Your book (Grove Hill) would revive the idea, should I find leisure. But of that I see no prospect at present. Your books will grace a small case which I appropriate to presents from authors. I fear it but too often happens that one favour conferred makes way to the requesting of another. I think it possible that you may have some of the Silhouettes (may I ask from whence that word comes) and heads, separate from your "Hints." I took the liberty of applying to Mr. Bernard in case he should have one of his own to spare, not caring to spoil the book by taking them out, but he had none; so I had his and Count Rumford's copied, to place among the worthies over my own Rumford chimney-piece. If you have any, and it is not too great an intrusion, may I beg the favour of "The Trifles," but which I can assure you I shall value highly. I have lately inquired for your Naturalist's and Traveller's Companion, but my