254 



A VISIT TO BARTRAM'S GARDEN. 



of good size, and is still esteemed, even in 

 this age of fine varieties, as an excellent au- 

 tumn pear. Although so old, it is not large ; 

 for the Pyrus is generally of slower growth, 

 and attains a greater age, than any other fruit 

 tree. One planted by Governor Endicott, 

 (who was the second Puritan magistrate sent 

 over to Salem, in 1628,) is still growing on 

 his farm at Danvers, Massachusetts, and 

 bears a good crop of pears annually. This 

 must be as old, if not older, than the Stut- 

 VESANT pear tree in New- York ; for the re- 

 nowned Peter exercised his gubernatorial 

 functions full twenty years after our Pilgrim 

 governor landed at Salem. 



There is an anecdote, related by the de- 

 scendants of the botanist, that "Washington, 

 who was a frequent visitor at the garden, was 

 one day with the French minister regaling 

 himself with this delicious fruit, when under 

 the tree at their feet lay a cannon ball, upon 

 which the Frenchman placed his foot, and 

 asked the general what description of fruit it 

 was, to which Washington very promptly 

 replied — " Ah, Count, that is a fruit hard 

 of digestion." Under an Msadus pavia, 

 (Ohio buck-eye,) around which once twined 

 in luxuriance a Tecoma, or trumpet creeper, 

 whose lifeless trunk is still propped up, form- 

 ing a sort of arbor, is the spot where the 

 Father of bis Country used often to sit. Re- 

 tiring from the bustle of the camp, or the 

 debates of Congress, he here held counsel 

 with his friends. Perhaps many a secret 

 march and sudden surjjrise was determined 

 upon amid these sylvan shades ; while around 

 the warlike band hung the floral emblem of 

 their calling — the scarlet trumpet flower — 

 even in this quiet retreat, recalling to the 

 soMier's mind the clang of martial music, with 

 tlie battle-field's ensanguined hue. But more 

 particularly was this a favorite resort of 

 Washington when he held the oflace of Pre- 

 sident, and while Congress was in session at 



Philadelphia, Jefferson lived on the op- 

 posite side of the river ; and here they often 

 met with Franklin, and the prominent men 

 of the day, to discuss the aflfairs of the infant 

 republic, 



" — -■ O could iliou speak 



As in Dodona once thy kindred trees 

 Oracular, I would not curious ask 

 The future best unknown, but at thy moulh 

 Inquisitive, the less ambiguous past! 

 By thee I might correct, erroneous oft 

 The clock of history, facts and events 

 Timing more punctual, unrecorded facta 

 Recovering, and misstated setting right." 



John Bartram died a few days after the 

 battle of Brandywine ; and it was thought his 

 life was shortened by the fears he entertained, 

 that the British troops, in their retreat, might 

 lay waste his darling garden, which he had 

 cherished with so much care for more than 

 half a century. His fears were groundless ; 

 for while the British were in Philadelphia, 

 the garden held a protection from Lord 

 Howe, and was used as quarters for some 

 officers of high rank, and was thus preserved 

 intact, while many neighboring places were 

 laid waste by the enemy. 



There are four species of the Magnolia 

 from the southern states, growing here, which 

 are magnificent trees ; and of the next genus, 

 Gordonia, (this species of which was first dis- 

 covered by William Bartram, in Florida,) 

 there is a fine specimen. Rhododendrons, 

 Kalmias, Halesias, and many other beautiful 

 shrubs, have attained a good size. At the 

 northeast angle of the house, we noticed the 

 exceedingly sharp spires of the PaUurus auS' 

 trails, or Christ's thorn ; so called from the 

 legend, which supposes that the crown the 

 Jews, in mocking, placed upon the meek 

 brow of our blessed Saviour, was composed 

 of this plant. At the foot of the garden is a 

 quaint, antique, stone cider-mill, hewn out of 

 the living rock by the indefatigable botanist ; 

 it has long been disused, and lichens and 

 mosses are now growing in the trough where 



