INTRODUCAIGN. xIv

your conduct towards myfelf, and the apparent de- fign, unfairly, to leffen my chara¢tter with the pub- lic. Should a fimilar weaknefs, to ufe the mild- eft expreflion, be perceived in regard to others, the influence of the board of agriculture mutt foon be loft with the public. It will only be then viewed as one of thofe tiny inftitutions that are calculated to foothe the vanity, or to augment the political influence of certain individuals forthe time.’ I moft anxioufly wifh that this may never be the cafe; and fhall only add, that if any thing I have here faid, fhall, by inducing a little more circumfpection, where the reputation or the inte- reft of others may be affected by any cafual ine attention on his part, tend to render the character of Sir John Sinclair{till more refpectable than it has hitherto been, it will add to the pleafure and happinefs of, SIR,

Your very fincere well-wither,

JAMES AN DERSON.

d 4