30 
by Mr: Pirnie, who reecived it from 
Gordon, and who is ready to prove ils 
genuineness. ‘This Peter Gordon had 
been a page to Lord George Murray, 
was famous ia the rebellions of 1715 
and 1745, by whom he was employed 
as a messenger and spy. After the 
defeat of the Scots at Cuiloden, he 
joined the den of Rob Roy, known by 
the name of ‘the thief of Glen 
Almon,” and continued with him until 
his death. He afterwards lived on 
the estate of Drummond of Logie 
Almon for the rest of Rob Roy’s life, 
following the trade of a thief and a 
robber. He then removed to Perth, 
where he dwelt in a cottage on the 
estate of Bal-Gowan, belonging to 
General Graham. Having become old 
and infirm, he was supported by the 
bounty of a few individuals. When 
near his end, he said that, few as were 
the woridly things ke possessed, there 
were two of inestimable value to him, 
—one, a rusty old claymore, with a 
bashet-hilt ; and the other, the tough 
old leathern purse, whose pocket for- 
merly contained the money of Rob Foy.” 
So says the memorandum, the authen- 
ticity and credibility of which we will 
not now stay to examine, but return 
from this digression to the order of the 
day.., 
On arriving at Flushing, the com- 
-pany,—joined~by a party from the 
island, of whom were the Hon. Rutus 
King, and several other gentlemen of 
distinction, moved to a temporary hall 
at Peck’s hotel, erected for the occa- 
sion, and ornamented with a profusion 
of evergreens and flowers, where the 
arrangements of the exercises and 
pleasures of the day was announced. 
A letter was read by Dr. Mead, from 
Mr. Jefferson to Drs. Mitchell and 
Pascalis, in which he regrets that he 
cannot join them physically on the 
occasion, but will certainly be with 
them in spirit; and concludes with 
remarking, that he will invite some 
amateurs in natural science, in his own 
neighbourhood, to fraternize on the 
same day with their brethren of New 
York, by corresponding libations to 
the great apostle of Nature. 
Dr. Pascalis read an interesting 
communication from the Linnean So- 
ciety at Paris, addressed todhe Ame- 
yican members of that institution. 
The company then repaired to the 
spacious botanical garden of Mr. 
Prince, which is of great extent and 
Account of a lute Scientific Celebration near New York. [ Aug. 1, 
beauty: it has received great addi- 
tions, and undergone many improve- 
ments, since last year. About 20,000 
tulips are in full bloom; and the eye 
surveys an almost endless variety of 
other plants and flowers, which add to 
the picturesque beauty of the scenery, 
load the air with fragrance, and throw 
an air of enchantment over this de- 
lightful retreat. These grounds form 
decidedly the first botanical garden in 
the United States, and, while they 
refiect the highest credit on the enter- 
prise, industry, and taste, of the 
Messrs. Prinees, they remind the 
spectator of the neglect of the once- 
splendid botanical garden in New 
York, which is now in ruins; and the 
disciples of Linneus are compelled to 
resort to a distant village to comme- 
morate the birth-day of their master. 
Having sauntered for an hour along 
walks shaded with every species of 
foliage, through alleys bordered with 
flowers, and strewed with blossoms, 
where the senses are regaled with 
every thing that can interest and de- 
light, the party were seated beneath 
the branches of a copse of trees in the 
highest part of the garden, whence 
glimpses of the Sound were disco- 
vered through the foliage, and where 
the sweet south came breathing from 
beds of violets. Here, at twelve 
o'clock, Dr. Mitchell took the beneh, 
with the priests of Nature on his right 
hand and on his left, and surrounded 
on all sides by beauty, taste, and 
fashion. The band was stationed in 
a neighbouring copse, whence national 
airs burst forth at intervals, echoing 
through the alcoves of the garden, and 
mingling with the music of the birds. 
Who could avoid being eloquent with 
such a scene to excite enthusiasm, and 
on such a theme as Dr. Mitchell had - 
chosen for the entertainment of his 
audience—the churacter of Linneus? 
Fortunately, the Doctor treated his 
subject in a way which heightened 
the. romantic nature of the festival. 
Instead of adopting the cold didactic 
form, he introduced a novel method, 
and spoke, as it were, in parables. 
He ibrew himself into a state of som- 
nambulism, when a series of splendid 
visions rose to view; by means of 
which he enjoyed, or seemed to'enjoy, 
the satisfaction of conversing with the 
mighty dead of all countries, who were 
honoured with the friendship, or ac- 
quainted with the diversified pursuits 
and 
