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young gentleman o f an unbounded
thiril after knowledge, refolnte, and
indefatigable in all bis pnriuits, frank,
fond of focial converfation, and at
the fame time a friend o f the fine
arts and literature : in fuch company
you will confefs it was imp'of-
fible I iliould have the leail reafon
for regretting the time fpent in this
voyage.
I had almoil flattered myfelf with
the hopes o f feeing Mr. Banks and
Dr. Solander in Sweden; but I learn
that they will be detained in England
for fome time. I much fear Dr. Solander
will be for ever loil to his native
co-untry, as well on account o f
the univerfal efteem in which he is
held in England, as o f his being preferred
to a more beneficial place at
the Britiili Mufeum than that which
he formerly pofleiTed.
Their Voyage to the South Seas will
probably make its appearance in April
or May flext. They have already begun
to engrave the colleilions o f animals
and plants they .made on their
voyage, which will employ them ieveral
veral years, as they muil confiil, I
fliould apprehend, o f near 2000 plates.
It would be writing a natural hii-
tory were I to attempt to give a proper
defcription o f thefe admirable col-
leflions. They have alone above 3000
fiflies and other animals preferv’^ed in
fpirits, moil o f which are new :
Linné might find among their plants,
o f which they have feveral fets (one
o f which, I flatter myfelf, will find its
way into Sweden) fubjefls for a new
MantifTa.
I propole, when I have feen Holland,
to make a little excuriion to
Germany to fee Mr. Michaelis, and
foon afterwards return to my native
country, where I fliall have the honour
o f aifuring you perfonally o f the
affeéllonate regard, &c. &c.
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