88 



will rank these voyagers among the greatest benefactors to 

 this kingdom, in having been the means, if tradition may be 

 credited, of introducing the most useful root that Providence 

 has held forth for the service of man. A voyage round the 

 globe, howsoever familiarized in ours, was, in that age, a 

 most interesting and fruitful occasion of enquiry. The re- 

 turn of Raleigh, and the fame of his manifold discoveries and 

 collections, brought over from the continent the celebrated 

 Clusius, then in the fifty-fifth year of his age. He, who 

 added more to the stock of botany, in his day, than all his 

 contemporaries united, visited England for the third time, to 

 partake, at this critical juncture, in the general gratification. 

 At this eventful period, Gerarde was in the vigour of life, 

 and, without doubt, felt the influence, and reaped the advan- 

 tage of all the circumstances I have enumerated." One of 

 the editions of Gerarde thus appears in a bookseller's cata- 

 logue: — " Gerarde's Herball; or Generall Historie of Plants, 

 very much enlarged by Johnson, folio, beautiful impression 

 of the frontispiece by Payne, fine copy, old Russia, gilt back, 

 £3. 18*. 1633.* 



Walter Blythe's whole-length portrait (exhibiting a 

 pensive and penetrating aspect), is prefixed to his " English 

 Improver Improved;" and which work Professor Martyn 

 terms " an original and incomparable work for the time." 

 Dr. Beale calls him " honest Captain Blithe." 



Gervase Markham's portrait is prefixed to his " Perfect 

 Horseman;" 8vo. It is re-engraved for Richardson's por- 



* The readei- will be amply gratified by Mr. Johnson's review of the gene- 

 ral state of horticulture at this period, in his History of English Gardening, 

 and with the zeal with which he records the attachment of James I. and 

 Charles, to this science ; and where, in a subsequent chapter, he glances on 

 the progress of our Botany, and proudly twines round the brows of the mo- 

 dest, but immortal, Ray, a most deserved and generous wreath. 



