272 Notes y da ting to But any, collected from 



As their gardens were small, they were the only people for 

 exotics, aiul had many stoves and green-houses for all sorts of 

 aloes and sueculent plants; with oranges, lemons, and other rare 

 plants. At the other end of the town were two famous nursery- 

 men, Furbcr and Gray, having large tracts of ground in that 

 way, and vast stocks; for the taste of gardening increased annu- 

 ally. Doctor Compton, bishop of London, was a great lover of 

 rare plants, as well such as came from the West Indies as from 

 North America, and had the greatest collection then in England. 

 After his death the see was fdled by Bishop Robinson, a man 

 destitute of any such taste, who allowed his gardener to sell what 

 he pleased, and often spoiled what he could not otherwise 

 dispose of. Many fine trees, come to great maturity, were cut 

 dt)wn to make room for produce for the table. 



The abovementioned gardeners Furber and Gray availed 

 themselves of making purchases from this noble collection, and 

 aurrmented their nnrseries Avith many fine plants not otherwise to 

 be procured. 



Brompton Park was another surprising nursery of all the va- 

 rieties of evergreens, fruits, &c., with anumber of others all round 

 the town; for, as the taste increased, nursery-gardens flourished, 

 Mr. Hunt at Putney, and Mr. Gray, are now living, aged 

 about 70. But more modern cultivators are the celebrated James 

 Gordon at Mile-End, whom for many years, from my extensive 

 correspondence, I have assisted with plants and seeds, and who, 

 with a sagacity peculiar to himself, has raised a vast variety of 

 plants from all parts of the world ; and the ingenious Mr. Lee of 

 Hammersmith, Avho, had he the like assistance, would be little 

 behind him. Mr. Miller of the Physic Garden, Chelsea, has made 

 his great abilities well known by his works, as well as his skill in 

 every part of gardening, and his success in raising seeds pro- 

 cured 



