I CAN easily provide Mr RUTHERFORD, as soon as I know of another to fill his place; but, instead of giving any thing, I might have money for taking young men, but can't think of being plagued with them; so chuse only to have one of whom I can make a companion. Mr RUTHERFORD understands pharmacy very well, and knows a good deal of diseases; and no wonder, as he enjoys greater privileges at present than any young man in England. You know my turn is not to conceal what I know, but am rather too fond to communicate. The only fault I have to JOHN is indolence: he absolutely refuses to assist me in any one of my curious researches; and won't so much as touch a subject, or attend when I am opening a child, let the case be ever so curious, but wants always to sit and hang his head over a book. This makes me lose many curious preparations, which I have not time to make myself, and which nothing can induce JOHN to bestow a little labour upon. No body

can do better if he would, but no one did I ever see possessed of such a degree of indifference. I am just now preparing a curious skeleton in the next room to where he sits; but he has never once deigned to give it a

look, far less to give me any assistance, though I desired him in the most pressing manner. : "Who would be plagued with such nonsense?" is all his answer. Now, I leave you to judge if such a man can have a parallel. Who, in his right wits, would not jump at such an opportunity? Yours, &c. W. BUCHAN.

No. XLIV.

Mr WILLIAM SMELLIE to Dr WILLIAM

BUCHAN.

DEAR SIR,

No date.

As I hate cramming letters with compliment and apology, I shall here, without ceremony, communicate to you my naked thoughts concerning the generous scheme you propose.

I BEGIN with a description of my present situation. Two months after you left this place, I had an offer of L.41 a-year to correct for Messrs MURRAY and COCHRANE, which I accepted, and am engaged for twelve

months, beginning 22d November 1759; but I am by no means confined, and have more opportunities of reading now than ever I had.

HAD this agreeable scheme been proposed two months sooner, nothing could have gratified my wishes more. But MONRO is far on with his subject; and I cannot think of entering in the middle of a session. I long much to hear a particular detail of your proposal. In the mean time, supposing this session to be lost, the method I intend to pursue is this. I shall read books on physic with great application from this time till ALSTONS Summer class, which I shall attend, and take MONRO next season. If this,

with the directions I expect to receive from you, particularly in the choice of my books and method of study, can by any means bring about what you desire, it will give me infinite satisfaction, and I hope shall be the era from which I shall hereafter date my happiness.

As I have more paper left than I expected when I sat down to write, I cannot conclude better than by putting the head where the tail should be, congratulating you on your

good fortune, or rather happy genius; and assuring you that nothing can give me greater pleasure than to hear of your success; which that it may increase as your wishes, is the prayer of, Yours, &c.

WILLIAM SMellie,

P. S.-PRAY write me soon. If this affair does not succeed, I wish from my heart it had never been spoken of; for it has touched one of my quickest senses, and excited that passionate desire which has always possessed my breast; viz. to have study for my constant employment, especially the study of Nature in all her various operations, and the study of physic appears to be the only cure for this my painful distemper.

No. XLV.

Dr WILLIAM BUCHAN to Mr WILLIAM

SMELLIE.

DEAR SMELLIE,

No date.

I TAKE this opportunity of troubling you once more with a few lines, in order to keep

up our old friendship, which I am determin ed shall not fail on my side. I have been in a perpetual hurry since I left you, otherwise would have wrote you sooner; but I flatter myself that it won't be disagreeable news to you to hear that more advantageous employment than that of letter writing takes up my whole time and attention.

THE bearer, Mr WooD, for whom I have a great respect, intends to spend some time at Edinburgh in the study of physic; and, as I believe him to be a sober, sensible, young gentleman, I can with the greatest freedom recommend him to your acquaintance, which I hope will be of considerable service to him, as he is an entire stranger to the country, and may need to be informed of sundry parțiculars relating to his method of studying, living, lodgings, &c. I am satisfied that you can be of as much use to him in all respects as if I was upon the spot, so shall say no more on that subject.

I own it gave me some concern and a good deal of surprise, when in Edinburgh, to find you so undetermined as to your future project for life, as I am satisfied no