Downing Jan. 10^th1773

Dear Sir

accept the best wishes of the season. there is a glimpse of hope that the lost box is at Manchester. if it proves true I shall inform you of it.

abundance of thanks for y^r kind intentions respecting the books but quotations on the points I query will suffice.

The plates I mention shall be engraven in good time: as I cannot here procure a Sibbald Baleen. it will be impossible to give you the notes I mean, so must wait till I reach London in March. as It is a book often quoted & the old plates referred to, they must be regraven. The size sh^d be oct^vo The size of my synopsis of quadrupeds. I am much obliged to you for the print of the old cross.

I long for M^r Low’s answer: if his M.S. arrives I shall then advise you of the means of conveyance. Please to make my complim^ts to M^r Menzies & let him know I daily expect his Shipmate the Rev^d M^r Dickinson. I propose my bookseller to you meerly [sic] because of his note; for he will sell for you more than any: not that you should exclude any other Bookseller you please from any certain number. To make it sell the better could you add any short unpublished tracts of Sibbalds to it.

I am with much regard Y^rs

T. Pennant

There is one Book I wish to have exceedingly. a history of Ilay or of the M^cdonalds of Ilay. It was one I heard of in the island, but it was one the natives did not like, I suppose because it represented those times too truely.

Pray is M^r Freebairn of Ilay in Edinburgh for I want to write to him.