1738.] TO JOHN BARTRAM. H3 



agreeable to me, to hear that my friends were kind to thee. I 

 shall not fail to acknowledge it. But I should have been glad to 

 have had thy particular observations on them and their families, 

 and their dwellings, and their tastes in life; but this is exacting too 

 much from a man of thy active genius, so pray think no more 

 about it. 



I am concerned Robert Gover is dead; but I think his son or 

 his family, are in being. I wish thee had gone and seen the cliff 

 from whence the angular stones were taken, which are so curiously 

 formed in squares, that far exceed the lapidary's art. No doubt 

 but some belonging to him could have shown it thee : but as this 

 is matter of curiosity, and only proposed for thy sake, another time 

 may do as well. 



I am sorry our brother Clayton was not at home. It was, no 

 doubt, a great disappointment, that you could not open your 

 budgets and compare notes. 



I am informed my friend Custis is a very curious man : pray 

 what didst thee see new in his garden? But I am told Colonel Byrd 

 has the best garden in Virginia, and a pretty green-house, well 

 furnished with Orange trees. I knew him well when in England; 

 and he was reckoned a very polite, ingenious man. As for my 

 friend Isham, who I am also personally knoAvn to, I did not doubt 

 his civility to thee. I only wish to have been there, and shared it 

 with thee. 



Thee does not mention any animals in this voyage; and yet I 

 don't suppose the country destitute. Pray has thee observed two 

 sorts of Fallow or small Deer, whose principal distinction, I 

 think, lies in their horns ? There is, besides, the smaller Elk, or 

 Stag; a pair of them I saw lately, with a pair of Buffaloes that was 

 brought to England. But then there is the great Elk, or Moose, 

 which I think frequents more to the northward. 



Pray what height and bulk were those fine Pines, with three 

 leaves, that thee discovered in the Great Vale? But, as to plants, 

 I shall make my remarks when I return them named. 



Thy map was very informing, and gave a pretty idea of thy 



borealis, which was seen all over Europe. Pray does thee remember if it ex- 

 tended to your parts ? 



Inclosed in the Library books, &c, is a face-glass. I was at a loss what 

 size would be most suitable. This is a middle size, and, I think, sufficient for the 

 purpose thou mentions. It cost six shillings. 



8 



