I have less fancy for the place, from finding the trout-stream a brook in summer, where salmon-trout, or salmon, could not be propagated; for one of my favourite ideas in a country residence is varied and multiplied experiments on the increase and propagation of fish.
What I should really like would be a place with a couple of hundred acres of productive land, and plenty of moor, a river running through it, and the sea before it; and not farther from London than Hampshire—a day's journey. There are such places along the coast, though perhaps in my lifetime they will not be disposed of. I should also like to be within a few miles of you; for it is one of the regrets in the life which I lead, that devotion to the cause of science separates me very much from friends that I shall ever venerate and esteem. God bless you, my dear Poole,
Very affectionately yours,
H. Davy.
TO THE SAME.
Pixton near Dulverton, Nov. 1, 1826.
MY DEAR POOLE,
I cannot be in your neighbourhood, without doing my best to see you; and it is my intention to come to Stowey on Sunday. I hope I shall find you at home, and quite well.
Mr. T——, who is here, gives me a very good account of you, which I trust I shall be personally able to verify.