59 



but the single quarter of an hour that he was with 

 me here occasioned an instantaneous conversion. I 

 was quite charmed with the plainness of his man- 

 ners, without a grain of that pomposity one might 

 have expected ; but on the contrary, quite pleasant 

 and communicative in his profession: in short, he 

 took my fancy so much that I cannot help feeling 

 infinite regret that so great and good a man in his 

 line should now be no more. 



My Strelitzia is advancing into flower, and an 

 odd Amaryllis, that nobody knows any thing about, 

 I hope is doing the same ; and much I shall wish 

 for a visit from Dr. Smith when they are ready to 

 receive company. 



I am, with much sincerity, 



Your obedient Servant, 



M. Rockingham. 



Mr. Davall to J. E. Smith. 



Orbe, Aug. 16, 1793. 

 My dearest and best Friend, 

 All I can do for you, all I can send you, and ten 

 times more, did my health, faculties and circum- 

 stances permit, I can never, never consider other- 

 wise than as my indispensable duty; — a duty I owe 

 you, as in my mind holding the reins of botany, as 

 a small return for the great friendship you showed 

 me in England, even at a time when I was no other- 

 wise known to you than as a man fond of plants, 

 and who had undertaken a long and expensive jour- 

 ney in search of the Linncsa. 



