1755.] PETER COLLINSON. 199 



Our Philadelphia people seem at ease, and dissolved in luxury. 

 I think two twenty-gun ships could take the town, in two hours' 

 time. * * * * * 



Thee art very much mistaken in the striped Maple [Acer Penn- 

 sylvanicum, L.] being a seminal variety, or an accidental one 

 either. It is a very particular, distinct species, both in its manner 

 and place of growth. It hath the most constant appearance of 

 any species I know ; and place of growth being particular to the 

 northern ridges of our Blue Mountains, from the North River to 

 Susquehanna. I never observed one naturally to grow on the 

 three southern ridges, or between them and the sea. Kalm looked 

 for them on the Katskill. 



I hope to send seeds of the Bartsia, and Christophoriana with 

 white seeds. ***** 



My son William is just turned of sixteen. It is now time to 

 propose some way for him to get his living by. I don't want him 

 to be what is commonly called a gentleman. I want to put him to 

 some business by which he may, with care and industry, get a tem- 

 perate, reasonable living. I am afraid that botany and drawing will 

 not afford him one, and hard labour don't agree with him. I have 

 designed, several years, to put him to a doctor, to learn physic 

 and surgery ; but that will take him from his drawing, which he 

 takes particular delight in. Pray, my dear Peter, let me have 

 thy opinion about it. 



I am glad my friend Dr. Fotheegill hath the perusal of my 

 notion of the antediluvian impressions of marine shells, in our 

 mountainous rocks, or any other of my rambling observations. I 

 hope, if I can stand the test with his trial, I shall come out like 

 gold well purified. I had rather undergo, now, a thorough purging 

 a long fusion, than to have any dross left behind. 



Dear friend, if thee proposes to me any questions of philosophy, 

 pray let me have as many as thee pleases, in the fall. It will be 

 fine winter diversion. And questions in botany, in spring, that 

 I may have the summer to make proper observations of vegeta- 

 bles in. 



If there should be a war with France, how shall I send my de- 

 scriptions of trees, or Billy's drawings, without falling into igno- 

 rant people's hands, that will not take any notice of them or may 

 be, throw them away ? Suppose I should direct them (under the 



