{div-startdate}London July 19. 1765.
It has been some concern to me that I have not answerd sooner the kindest
Letter of 12 Feb[ruary] from my worthy and most respectable of Friends the Right
Hon[our]ble Sir Charles a Linné.
I have been studying matter to fill my Letter, for meer business to Philosophers is of
no account. You flatter me such, when you tell me, that you approve of my little
dissertation of the Pennatulae. I am sorry those I sent by my Friend A[dam] Kuhn’s
directions did not arrive.
I have sent to D[octo]r Schlosser of Amsterdam for Ginanni’s Opera
posthuma. He has promisd to send the book[a] to me, and when I receive it, I
shall make such observations as you desire.
The Sarracenia that you mention, is sent over every year from N[orth]
America, and both Species flower with us.
I rejoice that you have obtaind a true acc[oun]t of the Opobalsamum. I
believe M[iste]r Lee has lately[a] received some seeds from you of the
Alstroemeria.
I hope your Thea will succeed & flower. None has yet come to England in
my memory.
I shall write to a friend of mine, who has been at the Havanna, if there is such a bird
as the Chavaria at Carthagena, as you describe, and whether there is a
possibility of getting one to Europe.
I am now come to tell you I have got a letter from D[octo]r Garden, which I now
inclose you, and shall send the Specimen of the very rare animal by the first
opportunity, together with the Description not only of that but of several new plants
which he has lately discover’d. I have not heard from West Florida since I have been
Agent, I mean from people of Science. There has been a Ship lately lost, that was
bringing over many curious things to me, but I still am in hopes of receiving full
account of the natural History of that Country, from a particular friend that is now
going as Lieutenant Gouvernour to that Province. I use every means to promote that
happy and endearing part of human knowledge, Natural History. Nothing gives me
more reall pleasure than when a New science opens in it, of which I was totally
ignorant before. I have been engag’d all this Winter & Spring in business, but hope to
get to the Sea Side, that I may give you a further acc[ount] of the kingdom of Neptune.
I have recommended to your correspondence Doctor David Skene, M[edicinae]
D[octo]r of Aberdeen, in Scotland, as a very ingenious Natural Historian. He proposes
to write to you very soon.
I am, Dear Sir,
Most truly your affect[ionate] Friend,
John Ellis
{div-address}To
The Right Hon[oura]ble
Sir Charles von Linné
at
Upsal
Sweden
friijbr.
Post P[ai]d 2s/
Pray let the Address of your Letters be
To John Ellis, Esq[uire]
in Gray’s Inn, London.
TEXTUAL NOTES
a. MS 1 the book [added above the line]
b. MS 1 has lately [added above the line]