Letters from the past From John Hunter to Edward Jenner
Dear Jenner, Your letter of Decr had laid before me ever since I rec'd it to put me in mind that it was not answered. I am glad you liked the candlesticks I thought them pretty. The Fossels were none of the best but I know you did not make them, therefore not your fault. The particular one you ptut the Q upon is only a cast of a Bivalve. I wish I had seen Cathgarts collection. I am matching my fossill as far as I can with the resent Have you made any experiments with HedgeHogs? and can you send me some this Spring? for all those sent me died. so that I am Hedge-Hogless. Mr Ludlow sent me the Bone, it is a very curious one, whether he will let me keep it or not I do not know. I rec'd yours by Mr Jones with the bird. I thank you for thinking of me. Frogs live an amazing while after they are dead. as also all animals of their tribe. The directions I gave you about blackbirds were, when you have a blackbirds nest viz with 4 young ones take one just Hatch'd and put it bodily into spirits by the Head extending the wings and legs. observe when the feathers are beginning to sprout, then take another and serve it the same way. then a third, and a fourth, so as to get the series of growth of the feather but the last or fourth must not be so old as the feathers to cover the other parts where feathers do not grow. this you will better understand when you come to make the trial. I have a picture of Bassani that I lent a poor devil three guineas upon. he died and never redeemed the picture I intend sending it to you. it is a good deal damaged. but some of the Figures are very good. get a frame for it, and hang it in a strong light. There are some expts of mine publishing in the Phylos Transact which I will also put you to. Let me hear from you when convenient. Mrs Hunter desires her comp't to you. I am Dear Jenner your most obt and most Humble svt
John Hunter London March 29th 1778
Dear Jenner, Your letter of Decr had laid before me ever since I rec'd it to put me in mind that it was not answered. I am glad you liked the candlesticks I thought them pretty. The Fossels were none of the best but I know you did not make them, therefore not your fault. The particular one you ptut the Q upon is only a cast of a Bivalve. I wish I had seen Cathgarts collection. I am matching my fossill as far as I can with the resent Have you made any experiments with HedgeHogs? and can you send me some this Spring? for all those sent me died. so that I am Hedge-Hogless. Mr Ludlow sent me the Bone, it is a very curious one, whether he will let me keep it or not I do not know. I rec'd yours by Mr Jones with the bird. I thank you for thinking of me. Frogs live an amazing while after they are dead. as also all animals of their tribe. The directions I gave you about blackbirds were, when you have a blackbirds nest viz with 4 young ones take one just Hatch'd and put it bodily into spirits by the Head extending the wings and legs. observe when the feathers are beginning to sprout, then take another and serve it the same way. then a third, and a fourth, so as to get the series of growth of the feather but the last or fourth must not be so old as the feathers to cover the other parts where feathers do not grow. this you will better understand when you come to make the trial. I have a picture of Bassani that I lent a poor devil three guineas upon. he died and never redeemed the picture I intend sending it to you. it is a good deal damaged. but some of the Figures are very good. get a frame for it, and hang it in a strong light. There are some expts of mine publishing in the Phylos Transact which I will also put you to. Let me hear from you when convenient. Mrs Hunter desires her comp't to you. I am Dear Jenner your most obt and most Humble svt
John Hunter London March 29th 1778
