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[Page 2]
a more Strenuous manner his endeavours to deserve His favour; and as even the greatest Abilities will not exempt a man from the Common Lot of Mortals, Death; and the casualties, perils and disagreeable Occurrences that may happen in the Course of so long a Voyage; in a case of that kind Sir! might I not possibly be found usefull at least in some little Shape for want of a better? As I hope Sir! You will not think me presumptious, when I acquaint you that if other persons are expert at the Shooting of Birds, I am as expert in taking of them alive, as I have Several methods of effecting it with Success; and am likewise possesed of a curious process for preserving them, when dead /: Large or Small birds:/ in the most lively and natural manner so as to appear in the same position, and with as much beauty as when alive, and also in So durable a manner as to last for Years, without being in the least impaired by time, this method I learnd of a Physician at Amsterdam; and have with this Sent you a Specimen of my Performance in that way, the which Sir! I Should be extreemly happy, if it Should be thought in the least Ways agreable or usefull to You in Your ensuing undertakings.
If some doubts may arise concerning the goodness of my constitution and my Capability of bearing the Extremitys of heat and Cold, with other hardships, that may occur in the Voyage, I shall take the Liberty Sir! to promise to you a few words on that head, the which I hope you will not think impertinent. I am 28 years of age, and have never been once ill Since the Age of 10 Years, this uninterrupted State of good health I impute to the constant temperance and Regularity I have ever preserved, as never having been given to any debauche, and do solemnly protest, I never was once drunk in my life. I was at Cadiz and Mallaga in the very hottest time of the year, and found not the least ill effects from the heat, I am in hopes I should be as able to Sustain the Inclemencys of the hotter Climates as well, perhaps as many Gentleman that have a more healthfull appearance than my Self; and as to the colder Climates, I should /: if I was so happy as to go:/ provide my Self with a comfortable assortiment of warm Cloathing, to enable me to bear the Extremitys of that kind - and as to the Sea, I assure You Sir! that I was much better during the 3 Voyages I made, than ever I have been