most commonly drive myself, and the next morning I am off again a little after sun-rise. I can leave to my children an example of industry, if nothing more.

It would give you pain were I to relate the persecution I have undergone for presuming to take the lead in botany and mineralogy in this University. I am no longer keeper of the Lettsomian Cabinet of Minerals. The public have resented. the treatment I have met with, and have patronized my Lectures on Natural History in Boston beyond example. I have just given a course to a large audience, composed of the first characters in the state, of both sexes. I have it in contemplation to quit Cambridge and reside in Boston.

Never was there a young country making more rapid strides to greatness than ours, notwithstanding the wicked efforts of an unprincipled faction, which obstinately oppose, and mischievously thwart, every step of our Government that tends to aggrandize our country, or give strength to our independence. England has had a very powerful party in this country; but their intemperate violence has defeated their aims, and I very much doubt if they will soon rally again.

Almost every vessel that arrives among us, from Spain or Portugal, brings Merino sheep. We have thousands now in New England. Our friend Bowdoin alone has more than five thousand sheep of our own, and of the Spanish breed. Some of your political writers say we cannot even clothe

ourselves. The first good opportunity, I will send you patterns of our broad cloth.

Our government has, at length, taken possession of West Florida, and our British faction abuse the government for this decision; but every patriot will support the government in the step they have taken, and let all the people say Amen!

A few months since, Dr. Decarro sent me a German translation of my Lecture on the Pernicious Effects of Tobacco, and of Ardent Spirits, printed at Vienna, which lecture, says the sage translator, was delivered in the Chapel of the University of Cambridge, at Philadelphia.

Remember me to Dr. Jenner, and to Mr. Ring, and I hope you yourself will not cease to remember

BENJAMIN WATERHOUSE.

LETTER CCLXX.

From the same.

My Dear Friend,

Cambridge, July 19, 1811.

I was sadly disappointed in not receiving a line from you on the return of my friend the Rev. Mr. Harris; I believe, however, that after he visited Scotland, he did not return again to London, but embarked from Liverpool, without visiting the

capital a second time. Do you bear in mind that I have not had a letter from you for more than two years? Neither times, nor seasons, nor changes, nor prosperity, nor adversity, should allow us to forget our old friends.

If I can, I mean to send by this vessel, the Galen, a volume I have just published, entitled "The Botanist." It was written to create a taste for that pleasing study, and hence its popular dress and style. Although I am afraid of your Critical Reviewers, yet I should like to know their opinion of it. We labour under many disadvantages here in making a book, to what you do at the "punctum vitæ vitelli orbis." Our scanty libraries are not among the least of our inconveniences.

I am about changing my residence from Cambridge to Boston. A factious spirit tinges every thing among us; it has infected our University, and I am perfectly disgusted on finding literature bending to transitory politics. Our respective countries are remarkably situated and circumstanced, as it regards each other. A mutual jealousy is too evident. England has full as many enemies as friends in this country; while France has not many friends. We have no great expectation that Mr. Foster's mission will be productive of any great benefit. It is generally be lieved that procrastination is the aim of both sides. However strange it may appear, it is a fact, that there is a great majority of the people of this country heartily disposed to go to war with Eng

land. I am, however, of opinion, that this dispo sition is owing more to a wish to put down the English party among us, than to any real inimical feelings to the English people. A war with England would crush that party; and it is almost worth the trouble of it. The English party are striving to separate the northern from the southern States; and rather than this should be effected, I myself would give my voice for war with Great Britain, let the consequence to our commerce be whatever it may. If, therefore, you should hear of some of your friends and correspondents in this country advocating a war with England, you may rest assured that it is more a war against the British party among ourselves, than against you in England.

If I find no passenger by whom I can send the book I mentioned to you, I shall direct him to leave it at the New England Coffee house. Mrs. Waterhouse desires her regards to you, and we both hope to hear from you under your own hand, by the return of the Galen.

I remain your friend

BENJAMIN WATERHOUSE.

P. S. The letters we used to write to Europe were written on trans-atlantic paper, but this never will again be the case. Our manufactory of paper is entirely established. of broad cloth is going on in manner, and so is our cotton.

Our manufactory a very prosperous Our cutlery is ad

vancing beyond my expectation. The son of our friend Dr. Morse will probably call on you. He sailed from New York, or I should have written by him. I have sent the book I spoke of to the care of Mr. Morse.

LETTER CCLXXI.

Dr. W. THORNTON to Dr. LETTSOM.

My Dear Doctor,

New York, Nov. 18, 1786.

Thou informedst me that Mr. Smeathman was again disposed to visit Africa. I should be glad to forward any laudable scheme; and I am myself disposed to visit it, for the execution of one which I deem superior to the mere investigation of Nature. I am firmly persuaded that the abolition of slavery would be the most easily effected by making a Settlement there; and I see very few difficulties in undertaking it, that cannot be easily surmounted. Fear, in a good cause, is beneath the spirit of I have been now amongst the negroes, and should have no doubt at all but that their minds would be more easily attuned to virtue, than is commonly supposed by the generality of mankind. I am induced to render free all that I am possessed of, by the dictates of conscience, and the uncommon desire I have to see them a happy people. My inclination is however in some degree counter

man.