158 JOHN BARTRAM [1742. 



had the presence of a prince ; yet was so happily mixed, that love 

 and awe were begot at the same time. The affability and sweet- 

 ness of his temper were beyond expression, without the least mix- 

 ture of pride, or haughtiness. With an engaging smile he always 

 met his friends. But oh ! the endowments of his mind are not to 

 be described. Few or none could excel him, in the knowledge of 

 the liberal arts and sciences. He was a great mechanic, as well 

 as a great mathematician ; ready at figures and calculations and 

 elegant in his tastes. 



In his religious way,* an example of great piety ; his morals of 

 great temperance and sobriety ; no loose word, or double entendre, 

 did I ever hear (this is something of the man). For his virtues, 

 and his excellencies, and his endowments, I loved him, and he me, 

 more like a brother than a friend. 



JOHN BARTRAM TO PETER COLLINSON. 



July the Gth, 1742. 



A few hours past, I received thy letters of March the 3d, and 

 20th, and April the 25th, 1742. 



Yesterday the ship arrived, which our dear friend Captain 

 Wright sailed in from London, but alas! hath left her captain 

 asleep in Neptune's bosom : and now, such a mortal sickness is on 

 board, that she is ordered to ride quarantine below the town. No 

 goods can be got off. 



I heartily thank Sir Hans Sloane for his kind remembrance of 

 me. I long to see his History ; and particularly M. Catesby's 

 books, to see what birds he hath figured, before I set out next week 

 for a journey along our sea-coast, where I believe there are many 

 birds which he omitted to draw which I shall be very particular 

 to observe their dimensions, shape and colours, if I can compel 

 them, by the charms of sulphur and nitre and lead, to let me dis- 

 pose of them as I think most suitable. 



I shall endeavour to procure Lady Petre a humming-bird's nest, 

 and eggs, as soon as possible. I have not heard of any being found 

 this year. They commonly build their nest upright upon a limb 

 of a tree, and a little shake with the fall of the tree separates them. 

 The fine, downy composition, is gathered from the stalks of our 



* Lord Petre belonged to the Roman Catholic Church. 



