164 JOHN BARTRAM TO [1743. 



Indeed, to give the Doctor his due, he is very pleasant, facetious 

 and pliant ; and will exchange as many freedoms as most men of 

 his years, with those he respects. His understanding and judg- 

 ment, thee art not unacquainted with, having had so long and 

 frequent intercourse with him by letters. 



When we are upon the topic of astrology, magic, and mystic di- 

 vinity, I am apt to he a little troublesome, by inquiring into the 

 foundation and reasonableness of these notions which, thee knows, 

 will not bear to be searched and examined into : though I handle 

 these fancies with more tenderness with him, than I should with 

 many others that are so superstitiously inclined, because I respect 

 the man. He hath a considerable share of good in him. 



The Doctor's famous Lychnis, which thee has dignified so highly, 

 is, I think, unworthy of that character. Our swamps and low 

 grounds are full of them. I had so contemptible an opinion of it, 

 as not to think it worth sending, nor afford it room in my garden ; 

 but I suppose, by thy account, your climate agreeth so well, that 

 it is much improved. The other, which I brought from Virginia, 

 grows with me about five feet high, bearing large spikes of dif- 

 ferent coloured flowers, for three or four months in the year, ex- 

 ceeding beautiful. I have another wild one, finely speckled, and 

 striped with red upon a white ground, and a red eye in the middle 

 the only one I ever saw. 



Now I will conclude this botanical discourse ; having answered 

 thy queries in a letter via Bristol. I believe my subscription our 

 proprietor inquired after, is wholly dropped. Some people lay the 

 blame upon James Logan, and not without cause. 



Our worthy friend, Doctor C olden, wrote to me that he had re- 

 ceived a new edition of Linn^us's Characteres Plantarum, lately 

 printed. He advised me to desire Gronovius to send it to me. I 

 should be very glad to see it. The first I saw, was at the Doctor's ; 

 and chiefly by it he hath attained to the greatest knowledge in 

 Botany, of any I have discoursed with. 



June the 21st, 1743. 



Dear Peter : 



******* 

 If ever I can come to pay you a visit, I would bring abundance 

 of trees and shrubs with me, which is very difficult if not impossible 



