LiirtfEAN sociETr or London. 45 



Tiappened in his garden at Carlsrube since I had left Mm, and for 

 the second time invited me to enter his service. But as I wished 

 to see more of the vrorld (which he could not gainsay me), my 

 plan was to go to Prance and Holland. Shortly after that 

 1 went away, notwithstanding the war between France and 

 Germany ; I had no fear, since Herr Burckhardt had obtained for 

 me a passport from the Grovernor of Strassburg. Prom the 

 Margrave I received a letter of recommendation to Herr ClifTord 

 in Holland, and from the excellent Dr. Eiehrodt a similar letter 

 to Herr Bernhard de Jussieu at Paris. My testimonial from 

 Herr Burckhardt. which I still have, runs thus: — "Herr Georg 

 Dennis Eliret, of Heidelburg, has been with me for some time as 

 an experienced artistic gardener, and during that time has laid 

 out a garden in a new way; he is also learued both in flowers 

 and plant peculiarities, and also in designing and drawing ; and 

 has rendered to me in this way faithful service, to which end I 

 earnestly recommend him to all amateurs. Witness my hand 

 hereby, Basle, 27 May, ITSl. S. Bueckhaedt." 



Before I go further, I must here add that, for the comfort of 

 my journey to Prance, I left my letters of apprenticeship and 

 recommendation in the hands of Herr Burckhardt, who, I believe, 

 still has them. Por this reason I have been unable to put any 

 certain date in my writings hitherto, as to when my years of 

 apprenticeship began, &c. 



The recommendation of the Margrave to Herr Clifford, of 

 which I have the copy written by a Secretary, runs thus : — 



"As regards the required recommendation from His Serene 

 Highness tj Herr Clifford, Herr Ehret will find the same in the 

 accompanviug envelope. His Serene Highness has signed a letter 

 saying that before Herr Eliret starts for Prance he must provide 

 himself with a sufficient passport, otherwise ill might befall him, 

 and he might poissibly be threatened, even like the Germans 

 already confined there, with the Bastille. Wishing you well, 

 I remain always. Sir, 



Your very humble servant, 



" Basle, 25 May, 1734." Eehaed." 



"SlE, 



" The bearer of this, G. D. Ehret, has been a gardener here, 

 and 7 years ago worked in my garden. He desires now to visit 

 the celebrated gardens of Prance and Holland, and has asked me 

 to recommend him in a letter to Herr Clifford, especially as it is 

 within my knowledge that siuce he has been in Germany he has 

 acquired a good knowlege not only of his own business, but has 

 also so perfected himself m the drawing and painting of flowers 

 and herbs, that he is in a position to lay out a new garden, as he 

 has indeed given a good proof here in Basle ; and that he has at 

 all times led a most uprigbt life. 



" I have for these reasons acceded to Ehret's most reasonable 



