I thank you, Sir, for the volume on the Principles of health which you have been so kind as to send me, and which I shall certainly read with pleasure. but, besides that I am not a competent judge of the merit of works in that line of science it is proper for me to observe that in no line whatever do I presume to give opinions of this kind for the public. my opinions, given without intention or suspicion have been sometimes handed to the public, but always without my consent, except in one or two special cases. I hope therefore you will be so kind as to accept of this my apology and reason why, after I shall have read the book, I shall not arrogate to myself the office of saying to the public whether they should read it or not. your merit will still be the same of having procured for them a work of the value of which you are so much more competent to judge [than I.?] I salute you with great esteem & respect.