I went to Inverness and fished for salmon. I also went to two or three other places, but not one did I catch till I arrived here. The first day I landed seven noble ones, and played three more in four or five hours. The next day I played eight and landed three, besides white trout in abundance. I have shot only one day, for a few hours; but we found grouse at every fifty yards, and I shot seven. We are just going to try sea-fishing. Pray write to me a little news of what is doing for science and the world. I beg you will remember me most kindly to your father and to Dr. Babington, and Brande, when you see them. I am, my dear friend, Most affectionately yours, H. DAVY. TO WILLIAM CLAYFIELD, ESQ. Dunrobin, near Golspie, August 28, 1812. DEAR CLAYFIELD, I am much obliged to you for two very kind letters, and for a box containing specimens from St. Vincent.[100] I beg you will thank the gentleman who was so good as to cause them to be collected for me. The box followed me to Inverness. The ashes, I think, are likely to fertilize Barbadoes. There is a parallel case of materials having been carried so far in the eruption in Iceland in 1783. I have been with my wife making a tour through the North since the beginning of July. We have arrived at our extreme point, and shall slowly proceed South in about a fortnight. I wish you could be of our party here; we are in a delightful house, that of Lord Stafford, in a country abounding with fish and game. I have caught about thirty salmon since I have been here, and killed grouse, wild ducks, teal, &c. I have not yet shot a stag, but I hope to do so this next week. I have just published a volume of the Elements of Chemistry, and I hope to publish another in the course of the Spring. Having given up lecturing, I shall be able to devote my whole time to the pursuit of discovery. I have not sent you a copy of my book, for I have thought that the best mode of avoiding giving offence to some, was by not making presents at all. Had I not so determined, one of the first copies would have been sent to you, as a mark of the warm esteem and regard of Your affectionate friend, H. DAVY. [100] Specimens of substances ejected from the crater in that island, which Mr. Clayfield forwarded to Davy, in consequence of having heard that he had been engaged in examining the sand collected at Barbadoes, and which was a product of the same eruption. TO SAMUEL PURKIS, ESQ. Dunrobin Castle, Aug. 29, 1812. MY DEAR PURKIS, You may probably be surprised to receive a letter from me from this remote corner of the North; but I owe you a letter, and I have a great inclination, wherever I may be, to discharge all debts, and particularly those rendered due by kindness.