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[Page 2]
might also bear a place. These being valuable and portable articles would make up for the length of the voyage. But as there must be many obstacles removed to set such speculation on foot, it may remain for distant ages to put these views in force.
Since my return to this country, a few of my acquaintances have strongly urged the getting up the whole of my collection, and exhibit it by way of museums, which in their opinion cannot then otherwise answer. This scheme I had never the least thought of, and opposed it with all my force. However they have now so far convinced me, that if it was almost in any other person's hands than mine, it would be turned to advantage. All that I can say of myself is, that the workmanship under my own direction is likely to be better executed, and in forming a Catalogue there lies an advantage in making many new comments upon some specimens, from which, and the whole being kept together, adds to a better acquaintance with the natural productions of that distant colony. It certainly must be the desire of all those, who have made collections with their own hands, to see them kept together and arranged under their inspection. If I should be so fortunate to complete what I have begun, I must either have it exhibited, or part with it upon some terms, from it taking up more room and attendance than I can afford to bestow. Viewing it in the light of an exhibition, its contents are not numerous. Next to a person inclinable to apply it to such purpose it is a foundation that a fabric may be built upon. There are many productions in the colony I have been shewn, which I had not the opportunity of collecting, and others of the bulky kind, which formed a small kind of traffic, which I considered as useless to bring but all others which fell in my way I endeavoured to possess - alas many of these are now spoiled.
What money my specimens sold for I intended to lay and in getting up the birds &c, and had it not been for what was expended in the unforeseen length of time the former took in cleaning, I have strong reasons to believe would have completed the whole. But even the plant money alone, and my own labor, would do a great deal. Cases will be the most expensive part. Some thing or other I must do with it, or else it will nearly all be spoiled. I have about 200 birds now stuffed, and not one of them in a box, which as soon as the warm weather commences, in such state will be exposed to a destructive moth. As small as this number is, it takes up too much room for me.