ΤΟ

SIR ROGER MOSTYN, BAR".

O F

MOSTYN, FLINTSHIR E..

DEAR SIR,.

A

GENTLEMAN well known to the political world in the beginning of the prefent century made the tour of Europe, and before he reached Abbeville discovered that in order to see a country to best advantage it. was infinitely preferable to travel by day than by night.

I CANNOT help making this applicable to myself, who, after publishing three volumes of the Zoology of GREAT BRITAIN, found out that to be able to speak with more precifion of the subjects I treated of, it was far more prudent to visit the whole than part of my country: ftruck therefore with the reflection of having never feen SCOTLAND, I instantly ordered my baggage to be got ready, and in a reafonable time found myself on the banks of the Tweed.

As foon as I communicated to you my refolution, with your accustomed friendship you wished to hear from me: I could give but a partial performance of my promife, the attention of a traveller being fo much taken up as to leave very little room for epiftolary duties; and I flatter myself will find this tardy execution of my engagement more you fatisfactory than the hafty accounts I could fend you on my road. But this is far from being the fole motive of this addrefs.

I have irresistible inducements of public and of a private nature to you I owe a most free enjoyment of the little territories Providence had bestowed on me; for by a liberal and equal ceffion of fields, and meads and woods, you connected all the divided parts, and gave a full scope to all my improvements. Every view I take from my window reminds me of my debt, and forbids my filence, causing the pleafing glow of gratitude to diffuse itself over the whole frame, instead of forcing up the imbittering figh of Oh! fi angulus ille! Now every scene I enjoy receives new charms, for I mingle with the vifible beauties, the more pleasing idea of owing them to you, the worthy neighbor and firm friend, who are happy in the calm and domestic paths of life with abilities fuperior to oftentation, and goodness content with its own reward: with a found judgement and honeft heart

you

you worthily discharge the fenatorial truft repofed in you, whose unprejudiced vote aids to still the madness of the People, or aims to check the prefumption of the Minister. My happiness in being from your earliest, life your neighbor, makes me confident in my obfervation; your increafing and difcerning band of friends discovers and confirms the justice of it may the reasons that attract and bind us to you ever remain, is the most grateful wish that can be thought of, by,

DOWNING, October 20th, 1771.

DEAR SIR,

Your obliged,

and affectionate Friend,

THOMAS PENNANT.