In a subsequent letter he says, "I return your book, with many thanks for all your kindnesses, of which I retain a cordial sense. If any thing occurs that I wish to trouble you about, you shall hear from me. In the meantime, with wishes for your health and happiness, I remain very sincerely yours, (Signed) WM. EDEN.

Perth Street, Tuesday.

The following letter from Lord Auckland, on the subject of my Statistical Account of Scotland, was extremely gratifying:

Bechenhesm, Kent, July 15. 1793.

MY DEAR SIR,

I yesterday received your letter, and the printed papers which accompanied it.

I shall have great pleasure in perusing the specimens of statistical reports. I consider them as exhibiting a course of inquiry of great importance to mankind, when pursued with that zeal, judgment and fidelity which distinguish your undertakings. If any thing occurs to me respecting those reports, or the other papers, which may merit your regard, I will not fail to take a minute of it; and I am willing to hope that we may again live to see a period of social security, in which the improvements of agriculture, and the arts of peace, may again go hand in hand with the blessings of just subordination, morality and religion. In the mean time, I admire the courage and right principles which enable you to go forward, as if the crisis which has lately menaced the overthrow of all civil institutions were completely and favourably ended.

This being the first summer that I have passed in England since the year 1785, I feel a strong attachment to my lawn and library; but I will avail myself of any occasion to wait on you when I can go to town; and I should at all times be happy to offer a plain dinner to you on my farm. I am, my Dear Sir, very faithfully yours,

AUCKLAND.

6.-CHARLES, LORD COLCHester.

His name was Abbot. Upon my congratulating him on the prospect of his being elected Speaker of the House of Commons, he said, "That is an honour to which I have no pretension." "You must admit," I answered, "that you have at

least alphabetical claims to the office."

He was possessed of distinguished talents, but was unfortunately diminutive in person. When he brought in his bill for ascertaining the population of the kingdom, he assured me, that it was altogether owing to my success in completing a similar inquiry in Scotland that he thought of it; and that he relied much on my aid in carrying the measure through.

Lord Colchester, when Speaker of the House of Commons, took an active part in a commission for carrying on various improvements in the northern parts of Scotland; and it was greatly owing to his exertions, that the plan was so successful. I had occasion to draw up a short account of those improvements, which I sent to the noble Lord for his remarks. His answer is subjoined. The words he wished to strike out were complimentary to him, and those I could not think of expunging; for he merited well all the encomiums which I had bestowed upon him.

MY DEAR SIR,

London, 26th January 1824.

I thank you for your letter of 23d instant, received this day; and the letter intended for Mr Richman has been duly transmitted to him.

In the paragraph proposed for insertion in your work, I have taken the liberty to strike out some words, and to insert some dates, which will render the statement more complete for your purpose. Most truly yours,

To the Right Hon. Sir John Sinclair.

COLCHESTER.

7.-LORD ORIEL.

The Right Honourable John Foster, afterwards created Lord Oriel, was for many years Speaker of the Irish House of Commons. He was one of the ablest men that Ireland has produced, and was greatly superior to the generality of his countrymen in capacity for business. We concurred most cordially in zeal for agriculture, and anxiety to promote its interest, on which we were convinced the prosperity of the empire depended. Having some idea of visiting Ireland in 1814, I had the pleasure of receiving the following communication from him respecting that excursion :

MY DEAR SIR,

Collon, March 18. 1814.

I look forward with great satisfaction to the pleasure of seeing you here, and hope that, as far as you can, you will allow my house to have the honour of being your head-quar

ters.

I read with pleasure the paper you inclosed. Most of its contents agrees entirely with my sentiments, which flatters me much; and I sincerely hope that the efforts of all the good friends of agriculture, and the good sense of the rest of the community, may put our corn system again upon its old principles, and establish it on a steady and permanent basis.

Lady Howard's state of health prevented me from attending the last session. I have the happiness of seeing it now so much better, that I have strong hope of being in my place when that subject shall come forward, and giving it every aid in my power.

I send you an authentic copy of our last year's exports of corn, meal and flour; and I am persuaded that, with a proper security to our farmers, and a confidence in the permanency

of it, we could send double the quantity with ease. Believe me ever, my Dear Sir, most truly yours,

Right Hon. Sir John Sinclair, Bart.

JOHN FOSTER.

On his being created a peer, I took an early opportunity of congratulating him on that event, and received, in return, the following friendly reply:

MY DEAR SIR JOHN,

Collon, Jan. 3. 1822.

It is most grateful to my feelings to be so kindly remembered by you. Accept my best thanks for your congratulations.

You are a stout champion for the agriculture of the country, and I wait with impatience for a communication of those measures which occur to you, as a practicable system for restoring its prosperity. You also must oblige me by sending without delay a copy of the tract you mention.

Believe me to be, with sincere respect and esteem, ever yours most truly,

ORIEL.

7.-JOHN, LORD SOMERVILLE.

One of the principal advantages of the establishment of a Board of Agriculture, and of the cattle shows which resulted therefrom, was, "That farming became a fashionable amusement, and that many young men abandoned for it every other pursuit." Among the most devoted to this most useful occupation, was John Somerville, Esq. who afterwards succeeded to the title and estates of Lord Somerville in Scotland. His favourite study was stock; and in order to obtain a thorough knowledge of the best forms of our domestic animals, he resided for some time with a butcher, that he might

acquire all the knowledge which could be obtained in that branch of business. He made a strong application to me, to be one of the original members of the Board; and though he was rather of young standing in that pursuit, I agreed to include him in the original list. It being resolved that we should have distinct reports drawn up of the several branches of agriculture, I pitched upon Lord Somerville to draw up the chapter on live stock. To a letter pressing him to complete the undertaking, I received the following answer:

DEAR SIR,

Bath, December 6. 1794.

I am sorry it will not be in my power to meet you in town as early as I wished, being confined to these waters for two months, for the cure of a bilious fever, which had very nearly sent me to study sheep and bullocks in the next world, and from which I am very little recovered yet. I heartily hope I shall be able to lend my small aid towards so excellent an undertaking, as the one in which we are engaged; and I do not think that any sort of hurry in the arrangement of these reports, would be advisable, for many reasons. Should you be of the same opinion, I trust I shall be able to make up, in diligence, between Easter and Midsummer, for the want of other qualifications, more requisite perhaps, but of which I never was vain enough to think myself possessed. I have sent for the books you recommended; but my bookseller could only send me the Complete Cow Doctor; and from the little I have seen, I think it very ingenious. I have spared neither pains or expense to procure all books on the subject of stock; among others the Spanish accounts of sheep, and all the travels into Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope. In both, much may be found worth attention.

I have received Billingsley's Reports, and found, just as I supposed, that in the western division, where I live, and where farming is carried to great perfection, he has been short in his accounts, being a stranger to that part of Somersetshire.