AN OVERLOOKED IRISH BOTANIST 175 



Dublin Society, is a measure determined upon." This was the 

 Glasnevin Garden, " which was estabhshed by the DubHn Society 

 in 1795 and after the steady growth of more than a century has 

 become, what it now is, a just subject of pride to the inhabitants 

 of Dublin. "'■' This letter shows that Caldwell, notwithstanding 

 his disclaimer, had already attained some proficiency as a botanist 

 and was well acquainted with what is required in descriptive 

 botany — a fact which makes his tribute to English Botany more 

 than an empty compliment. 



In 1794 Caldwell was in England and had stayed three weeks 

 in Derbyshire, at Matlock and Buxton, neither of which pleased 

 him : " the curious machinery and manufactures " of the former 

 were " detestable " to him ; of the latter he says " a more dis- 

 agreeable country can scarcely be seen : you cannot get a pleasant 

 ride or walk without going five or six miles in search of it, and the 

 company and amusement of the place does not suit me." He 

 notes that "this county (Dublin) does not afford either numerous 

 or interesting plants : Smyrnium Olusatrum is very common." He 

 expresses much regret at not having seen Smith in London : in 

 the following year he visited him at Norwich early in July, greatly 

 to the pleasure of both. The account of his return journey to 

 London, somewhat abridged, seems sufficiently interesting for 

 quotation : it forms the chief part of an unpublished letter dated 

 28 July, 1795 : 



"The Mail Coach is a cheap, convenient manner of travelling, 

 but it is very fatigueing, we were punctually in Town at seven in 

 the morning ... I find I dont possess the power of sleeping in a 

 coach, so when it became dark, and my companions fast [asleepj , I 

 enjoy'd the recollection of my amiable friends at Norwich, of whose 

 continual kindness I shall ever retain a pleasing and grateful 

 remembrance. It was dark before we reach'd Newmarket, and 

 the night misty. I could only perceive this part of the road led 

 over vast extended Heaths, the favorite Verbascum, I could not 

 help observing, gradually took its leave, and disappear'd entirely 

 sometime before Day declin'd : the Corn everywhere look'd well, 

 the C. Cyanus, C. Intybus, and Eclimm in profusion at the road 

 sides, the beautiful blue colours attracted even the notice of my 

 servant . . . The sun rose in the utmost splendour just before we 

 came to what I believe was Epping Forest, the Landscape was wild 

 and enchanting, enough for the warmest fancy of the Poet and 

 Painter, yet their pleasure was lost to every one but me : not a 

 door or Window in any House but was clos'd, and the Inhabitants 

 asleep : how continually we give up the most delightful Hours ! 

 yet sensible of this as I am, I shall persevere in Error, following 

 the example that is always surrounding me. An opportunity was 

 soon afforded of perfect contrast ; the sky became clouded before 

 eleven, and heavy showers were repeated the whole day after- 

 wards : what a change from the brilliant light and the beautifull 



* Colgan, Flora of the County Dublin (1904), p. xxv. Caldwell's letter 

 gives additional information regarding the " lengtliy negotiations " which pre- 

 ceded the establishment of the Garden. 



