1758.] T0 JOHN BARTRAM. 189 



* * * * * * 



Is that charming autumn Blue Gentian [6r. crinita, L.], an an- 

 nual, or biennial, or perennial ? 



I shall acquaint Doctor Mitchell with thy reasons for not send- 

 ing his order. * * * 



* * I want to know if the Laurel and the Horse-chestnut, 

 that Moses carried, grow, and suit your climate. 



The difference is very remarkable between our country and 

 yours ; for I have heard thunder but once this year and that at a 

 distance ; whilst you have had it so terrible all over your continent, 

 as our friend Clayton writes me from Virginia ; and we have 

 scarcely had sufficient to make our ingenious friend Franklin's 

 experiment. Our summer was wet ; but our harvest good, and our 

 autumn long and fine. I gathered such a nosegay, on Christmas 

 day, would have delighted thee to have seen it. 



In England vegetation may be said never to cease ; for the 

 spring flowers tread so on the heels of the autumn flowers, that the 

 ring is carried on without intermission. 



I am, in haste, thine, 



P. COLLINSON. 



February 13, 1753. 



From my country cottage, called Ridgeway House. Under that title it is to be 

 found in our old maps ; so I conclude it little less than 200 years standing ; but 

 yet is a tolerable dwelling. 



Dear John : 



Being retreated here from the hurries of the town, while snow 

 covers the ground in this Alpine situation (the country, near the 

 town, being clear of it), I retired to my study, with a good fire, and 

 found great serenity and pleasure of mind in conversing with my 

 distant friends. 



Thy sundry packets lay before me. As often as I peruse them, 

 I still find entertainment, and much matter for speculation and re- 

 flection. 



The first that I laid my hands on, was the well-wrote disserta- 

 tion on your Oaks and Hickories. * Thy descriptions 

 are so exact and natural, that I am always delighted with reading 

 them; but, my good friend, I must impart to thee my doubts. I 

 am afraid the species are so multiplied, that it will be a difficult 

 task to distinguish them here. 



