Letter from George Edwards, London, to Thomas Pennant, 1761 December 5 : autograph manuscript signed.

Commenting on the contents of the "box of birds" he received from him and promising to safely return them; giving biographical details about "my late friend [Mark] Catesby" and including the circumstances of Catesby's death; saying "Mr. James Leman of Lond has a most curious collection of stuffed birds in great perfection but he is a very od uncommunicative man that ever lived, he will neither lend, sell, give or show them to any that desire to see them. Masel has call'd for the print you sent up with the birds, and taken it home to make the amendments you have noted I have given him my opinion and advice, and half a dozen of my black prints that he may see my manner of etching tho I really think his etching is full as good as mine as to his stroaks they are finer and closer, where prints are to be colourd the colouring makes the stroaks appear much les harsh than when the prints are uncolourd, he will send a black print of mine with a proof print of the Pufin when he has corrected yr plate. I thank you for a sight of your drawings of insects, shall be carefull to keep them clean and return them safe. I shall be glad of any information relating to the blew hawk or any other bird;" adding that he attended the annual dinner of the Royal Society and sat by Mr. White "...who put on a great air of friendship and value for me and press'd me very much to call and dine and spend a day now and than that we togethe might consuld about a proper generical classing of birds but I know him to be sowise in his own conceit that I shall not visit him to expose my opinions to his farther contempt."