b PROCEEDINGS OP THE 



style, reminding one at times of the writings of DeFoe. The 

 poet Coleridge, in referring to it, said : "The latest book of 

 travels I know, written in the spirit of the older travellers, is 

 Bartram's account of his tonr in the Floridns. It is a work of 

 high merit every way." 



On September 22, 1777, John Bartrani died at the age of 

 seventy-eight. After his father's death, William continued the 

 vigorous pursuit of the study of natural history, making his 

 home for the most part with his brother John, who inherited 

 the mansion and its now famous botanical garden. 



In 1782 William Bartram was elected Professor of Botany in 

 the University of Pennsylvania, but declined the honor on 

 account of ill health. He M'as also elected a member of the 

 American Philosophical Society, and of various other learned 

 bodies in both Europe and America. Bartram was clever with 

 tools, and, as we have before said, skillful in the handling of 

 pencil and brush. His illustrations, showing much artistic 

 merit, may be found in several of the scientific works of his 

 da}', notably in Professor Barton's Elements of Botany. His 

 literary stj'le was for the most part simple and graphic. At 

 times his enthusiasm in his subject caused him to be somewhat 

 extravagant in his statements. Some of his more flowery pas- 

 sages remind one of the pen of Audubon. When dealing with 

 purely scientific matter his words are always carefully chosen,, 

 intelligent and instructive. 



The life and work of William Bartram are best summed up 

 in his own words, when in speaking of himself he saj's: "Con- 

 tinuallj' impelled by a restless spirit of curiosity, in pursuit of 

 new productions of nature, my chief happiness consisted in 

 tracing and admiring the infinite power, majesty and perfection 

 of the great Almighty Creator, and in the contemplation, that, 

 through divine aid and permission I might be instrumental in 

 discovering and introducing into my native country some origi- 

 nal productions of nature which might he useful to society." 



And now it may be asked, " WHiat claim has William Bar- 

 tram to special recognition as an ornithologist, and why does 

 Cassinia regard him as entitled to a place in its list of men noted 

 in this branch of study?" To this we would reply that in the 



