TO JOHN BARTRAM. 53 



a shame, said my mind, or something that inspired my mind, that 

 thee shouldst have employed so many years in tilling the earth, and 

 destroying so many flowers and plants, without being acquainted 

 with their structures and their uses ! This seeming inspiration 

 suddenly awakened my curiosity, for these were not thoughts to 

 which I had been accustomed. I returned to my team, but this 

 new desire did not quit my mind ; I mentioned it to my wife, who 

 greatly discouraged me from prosecuting my new scheme, as she 

 called it ; I was not opulent enough, she said, to dedicate much of 

 my time to studies and labours which might rob me of that portion 

 of it which is the only wealth of the American farmer. However, 

 her prudent caution did not discourage me ; I thought about it 

 continually, at supper, in bed, and wherever I went. At last, I 

 could not resist the impulse ; for on the fourth day of the following 

 week, I hired a man to plough for me, and went to Philadelphia. 

 Though I knew not what book to call for, I ingenuously told the 

 bookseller my errand, who provided me with such as he thought 

 best, and a Latin grammar beside. Next, I applied to a neigh- 

 bouring schoolmaster, who, in three months, taught me Latin 

 enough to understand LiNNiEUS, which I purchased afterward. 

 Then I began to botanize all over my farm. In a little time I 

 became acquainted with every vegetable that grew in my neigh- 

 bourhood ; and next ventured into Maryland, living among the 

 Friends. In proportion as I thought myself more learned, I 

 proceeded farther, and by a steady application of several years, I 

 have acquired a pretty general knowledge of every plant and tree 

 to be found in our Continent. In process of time I was applied to 

 from the old countries, whither I every year send many collections. 

 Being now made easy in my circumstances, I have ceased to 

 labour, and am never so happy as when I see and converse with 

 my friends. If, among the many plants or shrubs I am ac- 

 quainted with, there are any thee wantest to send to thy native 

 country, I will cheerfully procure them ; and give thee, moreover, 

 whatever directions thee may est want." 



Thus I passed several days, in ease, improvement, and pleasure. 

 I observed, in all the operations of his farm as well as in the 

 mutual correspondence between the master and the inferior mem- 

 bers of his family the greatest ease and decorum : not a word 

 like command seemed to exceed the tone of a simple wish. The 

 very negroes, themselves, appeared to partake of such a decency 



