After much careful research I have finally found the Bohemian translation
of Dioscoride which, as Mr. Vaj tells me, you wished to have. It is
missing the title-page, which I shall copy from the complete version
in the Library of Prague. I shall have the honor to send you this book
soon.
It will not have escaped your notice that the Court of Spain has sent
an expedition of two frigates to seek discoveries in the South Seas. I succeeded in having included on this expedition
a young botanist—named Haenke—some of whose essays you will find in
the Miscellany of M. Jaquin; he has travelled by land from Buenos
Aires across the Andean Cordillera all the way to Chile, and, since
he has always enjoyed the study of alpine plants, he writes to me
that he has stayed longer than any previous mortal in these immense
mountains. The collection of plants that he made there is immense
and on his return he wishes to publish it, being persuaded that everything
known of this kind up to now is nothing in comparison with the treasures
that he has collected; The letter is dated June 5, 1790, from Lima,
where he will be staying for some time. The frigates, which in the
meantime were rounding Cape Horn, will
go next to Mexico, from there to the South Sea islands, and to the Philippines. The Court of Spain has given him permission
to keep all the duplicate specimens he brings back, and to publish
a description of this voyage on his own account. He ate at the table
of the Captain, named Malaspina, of the vessel Descubierta, and has
30000 Reales per year [2], with the rank of Ship's Lieutenant; how much
natural history will benefit from the return of this young scientist,
who speaks six different languages, knows how to draw and to paint
well, and is also trained in medicine and surgery, and in all other
areas of natural history! What's more, he enjoys robust health, and
is liked by everyone for his agreeable character and for his talents
in music.
Pardon, Sir, my mention of all these details.
I believe that they will interest you, since I know the interest that
you take in the progress of knowledge, above all in natural history.
I am with the most perfect consideration, Sir,
Your very humble and obedient Servant,
Ign.
Ed. v. Born
[Ignaz Edler
von Born]
Vienna, this February 8th, 1791