Xil 
see him tried with one of the best strangers that euer came into England, and was accounted in 
Parise the onely man, being recommended to me by that famous man M. Amb. Pareus, and he 
being here was desirous to go abroad with some of our herbarists, for the which I was the meane to 
bring them togither ; and one whole day we spent therein, searching the most rarest simples: but 
when it came to the triall, my French man did not know one to his fower.” This statement can 
only apply to Jean Robin, who, in 1597, was appointed keeper of the King’s garden in Paris, on 
account of his success as a cultivator; that Gerard was on intimate terms with Robin, may be seen 
in the number of plants received from him, and acknowledged in the Herball. 
Gerard was elected a member of the Court of Assistants. of the Barber-Surgeons, June 19th, 1595," 
and in the following year, July 16th, 1596, he was commissioned, with another, to seek a better 
_ place for a ‘‘fruit-ground” than that in ‘‘East Smithfielde or ffetterlane.” At this time he had a house 
in Holborn,” then the most aristocratic portion of London; his garden was probably attached to his 
house, or may have been the identical plot mentioned above, in Fetterlane, as there were many 
gardens belonging to the wealthier citizens in that locality. The northern side of Holborn, which 
has been suggested as the probable site of Gerard’s garden, is unlikely, since during the last few 
years of Elizabeth’s reign, the spot now occupied by Ely Place and Hatton Garden, was a garden 
of forty acres, belonging to the Bishopric of Ely.” 
The following interesting draft of a letter is in Gerard’s autograph, and was probably drawn up 
previous to 1596 :— 
“ After my most hartie commendacions, &c. As yt hath beene alwaies myne especiall care 
(neither doubt I but yt is yours also) to procure by all meanes possible y* floorishing estate of 
your universitie in religion & liberal sciences :—so at this p'sent (to my great comfort) I see 
yt not inferiour herin to any universitie in Europe or any other pat [sic] of y* world were yt 
not y‘ many famous nurseries (as Padua Monipellier that of Vienna &c.) others had prevented or 
_rather provoked us by their good example, in purchasing of publique gardens and seeking 
out men of good experience to dresse and keepe the same Whereby that noble science of 
physicke is made absolute as having recovered y* facultie of Simpling a principall and materiall 
part thereof, wherefore not doubting of your readines in imitating or emulating the best in 
so laudable actions I thought yt good to moove you herin & to commend this bearer Jhon Gerard 
a servant of mine vnto you: who by reason of his travaile into farre countries, his great practise 
& long experience is throughly acquainted with the generall & speciall differences, names, 
_properties & privie markes of thousands of plants & trees. So y' if you intend a worke of 
such emolument to y‘selves and all young students 1 shall be glad to have nominated and 
furnished you with so expert an Herdarist; & your selves I trust will think well of the motion 
and the man Thus desiring god to prosper all your godlie studies and painfull indevors I 
bidde you hartily farewell.” f 
[Endorsed] “John Gerrard, [an erasure] 
A bill (?] of his owne drawing for y* L. Ther. [Burleigh] to signe, to y° 
oa university of Cambridge, for planting of gardens.” 
(Lansd. MSS. Vol. 107, No. 02, fol. 155.) 
: ane che en “ P Ibid. %6 Ger. pref. 
cee es aitiand, 1, 978, Noorthouch, 642. Stow, 313., Ibid. ed. Strype, iii 
Note.—Timbs has stated that Gerard had a physic Si 'Old Bisa Buk°k Oe nor buow 
a . garden in Old Street, but I do not i 
can I corroborate seid statement.—Vide Something for everybody, 242 (1861, y eet ee aa 
