Alone and barefoot I have pulled poisonous snakes out of their lurking-
places; climbed up trees to peep into holes for bats and vampires, and for
days together hastened through sun and rain to the thickest parts of the
forest to procure specimens I had never got before. In fine, I have pursued
the wild beasts over hill and dale, through swamps and quagmires, now
scorched by the noon-day sun, now drenched by the pelting shower, and
returned to the hammock to satisfy the cravings of hunger, often on a poor
and scanty supper.
These vicissitudes have turned to chestnut hue a once English complexion,
and changed the colour of my hair before Father Time had meddled with it.
The detention of the collection after it had fairly passed the Customs, and
the subsequent order from the Treasury that I should pay duty for the
specimens unless they were presented to some public institution, have cast
a damp upon my energy, and forced, as it were, the cup of Lethe to my lips,
by drinking which I have forgot my former intention of giving a lecture in
public on preparing specimens to adorn museums.
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