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mean spirited, time-serving bishop, I might perhaps have escapedthat marked and unmerited neglect of the Court , which I havefor so many years experienced, but that I should certainly haveforfeited the affection of my friend ; his upright and honourableprinciples would never have suffered him to distinguish such acharacter with that eminent token of his regard which hebequeathed to me.
On the 1st of July, 1804, I was surprised by the receipt ofthe following letter from a gentleman I had no acquaintancewith. \
“ My Lord,
“ Presuming from Your Lordship’s attachment to chemistrythat the enquiry contained in the accompanying volume, mayobtain a cursory examination from Your Lordship, I have pre-sumed to present it as a tribute due to the author of thoseessays which first attracted my attention earnestly to chemistry.u I am, My Lord, with sincere respect,
“ Your Lordship’s most obedient servant,
“ Hoxton Square, July 1st, 1804.
On the 28th of July, 1804, I sent the subjoined answer:
“ Sir,
“ I received the day before yesterday your most acceptablepresent of your interesting work on the organic remains of aformer world.
u