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[Page 12]
The rage of faction and all former difficulties may be unknown to him. He may thus review the parts described by his predecessors with smiling sorrow, and portraying the hardness of the times they struggled under.
Another desideration I wanted to gain, was the conflux of the Hawkesbury and Nepean and to travel up the former river for to discover the junction of the Dryander. At the same time to endeavour to find a passage to the Roodie. Also to gain some knowledge of the Dryander, and the country it run through, from Shellstone Brook to its conflux with the Hawkesbury. I have a great notion there would be several new plants picked up along this river, and on the ajoining hills &c. It is a part of the country entirely unknown. However I must leave it for some other person to explore. But the misfortune is, they who study Geography are very indifferent Botanists, and vice versa. For my part I should never have employed myself in a geographical pursuit, had it not been forced upon me, viz. it was impossible for me to travel in the woods to any distance without keeping some sort of a reckoning; but I further thought it would be demanded that I should give some account of the parts I visited. Being ashamed of my ignorance, I lost no time in making myself acquainted with what was necessary for me to explain. From the experience I have had of the compass, points out to me that it stands in need of some improvement, or rather, a new sort of compass is wanting in this pursuit. That I mean to have made when I return to England.
It is now turned of three years since I received a letter from you. I cannot account for the reason, unless you have been in expectation of my return. I believe I informed you by a ship called the Alexander, which sailed from here about November 1806, that I had refused to return in the Buffalo with Gov. King. I was always doubtful of that being a good opportunity. Tidings has lately been received by the Cumberland Whaler, that the Buffalo was arrived after a long and tedious passage, which has fully proved my doubts being well founded. On Governor Bligh's arrival I made sure of hearing from you. I must tell you Sir, that by the delay you stand in your own light: for let any man whatever, that has a thirst of any branch of natural history, be contracted in a plan where the objects of his mind are entirely new: let him remain for a considerable length of time in solitude, I mean for him to know no person whom he can converse with concerning his pursuit: let him also meet with the disappointments, then I say he will flag in the ardor of his passion. As society gradually makes man wiser, and opens the way for consolation; so does correspondence invigorate the mind for action. If it is the pride of man to excel, what must he do when he has no rival. I cannot but remark how lucky Mess. Brown and Bauer were in visiting this country; though I by no means admire the manner in which they left it. It has been reported that Mr Brown's collection was spoiled; but as I have not heard from you nor from him, I now conclude it must have been a fabricated rumour. I have one thing to say of Mr Brown, that by aiming at collecting so much, in so short a time, a deal of his work must not be well done. By this it seems a man may be too indefatigable. I spend my time now, chiefly in col[lecting]