Letter recommending Alberto Fortis to join Pacific voyage, received by Banks from John Strange, 10 December 1771 (Series 06.161) - No. 0001

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Padua 10th Decbr. 1771

Dear Sir

An accidental connection which I have formed since my being in this country is the occasion of my troubling you with the present.  observing from the published papers that your insatiable curiosity tempts you again to revisit the new Discovered Islands I am induced to recommend to you a Brother Naturalist of this country, whose singular abilities would certainly Deem him a very usefull companion in such a scheme.  I mean Father Alberto Fortis an Augustin Fryar who, under the auspices of Lord Bute, visited two years ago with [John] Symonds & Cirillo professor  of Botany at Naples, the Istrian & Dalmation Islands & Coast and this year upon my recommendation has visited the whole coast of Dalmatia, and the inland parts, [Morlachia?] etc with the Lord Bishop of Derry who is now here and who indeed first hinted this thought to me.  Fortis has an enthusiasm in these matters equal to your own is about your own age and of an excellent constitution -  He is an Italian by birth, perfect master of Latin & French & tolerable Grecian - His darling study is natural History particularly fossils & Physical Geography in which he really possesses uncommon ability - as a modest gratuity would satisfy him, who pants for such