Dear Sir

Stratton Street. Saturday, March 12. 1791.

I mean to send by next Wednesday’s Chester coach from charing cross, directed for you, to be left at the office there, the M.S. you had the goodness to give me of your Expedition to Dover &^a: &^c.. I think it well written^transcrib'd, but being soil’d, I shall have no other objection to pay for its being recopied, except waiting some time, before M^r Griffyth can begin his illuminations., and of course, before I can set about ornamenting it, with the many prints I have got for that purpose. If you think it can be clean’d, and if you think also that the several corrections in the orthography can be erased & fresh inserted, without disfig[...]uring the M.S. too much, for my nice feelings upon these occasions, I recommend to Moses to begin upon it, as soon as he pleases, and to ornament it as much as he thinks proper, with all sorts of natural history, and any arms, or views of which there are no engraved prints.– If tis copied afresh the Margins had better be larger, and the paper bigger (which I suppose He can procure at chester; if not, I can send it him, if he tells me the quantity. I know no amendments I wish for, except that the lines ruled lines, are too close to the text; and appear to croud it, which I dare say will strike you upon the perusal thereof. I assure you that the London, is all the fashion, and much commended every where, and in my opinion a third edition will be soon call’d for. Faulder has sent me the additional sheets upon large paper, tho not so large by the fourth of an inch, as the copyfirst Edition of the book, you was kind enough to send me. I have also from him, Charles 1^sts bust from Bernini, a view of London at the fire, and a D^o. temp: Reg: Eliz:,, but I have no map, which I understood was intended. I think my prints and drawings would be better disposed, if I was to get the new Edition entire, (which I imagine can be had on large paper) because otherwise the illuminations I mean to insert, must be divided, and repeated in the additional sheets. If I should adopt this plan what ought I to give Faulder to exchange my copy for the new Edition? The honestest Booksellers are rogues, and in truth I am not equal to their manœuvring upon all occasions. You will receive in the parcell the two dozen of pencils you desir’d, which, if too large, or too small, or too hard, or too soft, I have articl’d to have exchanged; I bought them at the best reputed shop, and they cost five shillings per: dozen.¹ You will also have Lord Fanhope, and a few trumpery prints, some of which your publications call for. I wish they were more, and better. what you don’t use may be returnd when you come to London next year, if par hazard,² I should then, have ruses enough left, to know a AGreat A, from a chest of drawers. I think your Edinburgh Barber improves in his works, I wish he had sold none, because he would have been a consequential honorary engraver in my collection of private engravings.

I cannot find the Dutch Montfaucon any where, nor can I get you Admiral Heemskirkas yet.

I am Dear Sir, for the present Sincerely yours.

R. B. -

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Editorial notes

1. For Pennant's request for the 'best black lead pencils', see 1124.
2. 'by chance'.