I walk in the fields in the proper season, and when I come within shot,
_one of the buttons constantly flies off, and lodges upon the spot where
the sport is_; and as the birds rise, being always primed and cocked, I
never miss them. Here are now but three buttons left. I shall have a new
set sewed on against the shooting season commences.

When a covey of partridges is disturbed in this manner, by the button
falling amongst them, they always rise from the ground in a direct line
before each other. I one day, by forgetting to take my ramrod out of my
gun, shot it straight through a leash, as regularly as if the cook had
spitted them. I had forgot to put in any shot, and the rod had been made
so hot with the powder, that the birds were completely roasted by the
time I reached home.

Since my arrival in England I have accomplished what I had very much at
heart, viz., providing for the inhabitant of the Cheese Island, whom
I had brought with me. My old friend, Sir William Chambers, who is
entirely indebted to me for all his ideas of Chinese gardening, by
a description of which he has gained such high reputation; I say,
gentlemen, in a discourse which I had with this gentlemen, he seemed
much distressed for a contrivance to light the lamps at the new
buildings, Somerset House; the common mode with ladders, he observed,
was both dirty and inconvenient. My native of the Cheese Island popped
into my head; he was only nine feet high when I first brought him from
his own country, but was now increased to ten and a half: I introduced
him to Sir William, and he is appointed to that honourable office. He
is also to carry, under a large cloak, a utensil in each coat pocket,
instead of those four which Sir William has _very properly_ fixed for
private purposes in so conspicuous a situation, the great quadrangle.