AT MADRID. 159

energy and zeal to an extent ot scientific know-
ledge which presaged future excellence.

While botanising among the Alps during his
return, Dombey received the welcome intelligence
that M. Turgot had, on the recommendation of
Jussieu, chosen him to go to Peru in search of
plants which might with advantage be naturalised
in Kurope. He immediately returned (on foot) to
Paris, and was presented to the minister, from
whom he received his appointment, with a salary
of 8000 livres. The purpose of the French autho-
rities could not, however, be carried into effect
without the permission of the Spanish Govern-
ment, and this was not procured till the close of
the year 1776. The intermediate period was de-
voted by our naturalist to a diligent and steady
application, in order the more perfectly to qualify
himself for his arduous and most congenial under-
taking.

On arriving at Madrid in November 1776, his
ardour met with several embarrassing checks in the
tedious delays and misplaced jealousy of the Spanish
Court, by whom he was encumbered with useless
instructions, and four companions were associated
with him, each of whom received a handsome
salary. His patience and courage were proof
against every annoyance: a new world was before
him, and he cared for nothing save to be permitted