Letter received by Banks from George Caley, 26 June 1814 (Series 18.079) - No. 0001

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19846
24 May 1814

Chadderton
June 26, 1814

Sir

Permit me now to ask for the last year's annuity; and at the same to state how far I have got up my collection by the way of Museum.  My birds alone I now find will take up about 23 or 24 boxes, each box being somewhat better than 9¾ feet square in superficial measure, out of which number 17 are partly completed.  I am aiminged to have 30 completed by the beginning of September, and then to make a stand, as they will then be too expensive for me to maintain & go on with.  I must shortly either part with them or try to make them maintain themselves from the public.  Well knowing that I am not calculated for such a task makes me hesitate on the subject of bringing them forward.  But from the opinion of the few individuals who have seen them, I am inclined to turn them over to a trusty person (if such can found) for such purpose.  To what extent of room the whole would occupy, if completed, I dare not say, by having been deceived in the bulk of what is already got up.  However in speaking of bulk, I beg not to be understood as putting it upon a footing with other Museums, for in such point of view perhaps it would not bear a comparison, and would be as hastily condemned.  But in its favor I must must speak a few words.  It consists of the production of one Colony, of which the public in general are not well acquainted with, collected by a single individual, its owner, in a state of nature, and undoubtedly some specimens are entirely new to the world.  Had it not been for others I should never have thought of getting it up, and have  all along treated its insignificance with a kind of contempt, but now find from real or demonstration that I have not done justice to the country I am so partial to, for its productions when set forth to advantage, deserve no such censure.  I am in expectation that notwithstanding the high price of wood, glass, and workmans wages, by throwing in my own labor it will be got up as cheap in proportion as the sort of work is in general done - but these matters have been very much against me