1762.] TO PETER COLLINSON. 235 



being broke, I bent my mind to the search of minerals, and espe- 

 cially vegetables. As for the animals and insects, it is very few 

 that I touch of choice, and most with uneasiness. Neither can I 

 behold any of them, that have not done me a manifest injury, in 

 their agonizing, mortal pains, without pity. I also am of opinion 

 that the creatures commonly called brutes, possess higher qualifi- 

 cations, and more exalted ideas, than our traditional mystery- 

 mongers are willing to allow them. 



The back parts of the country, where I chiefly travel, do not 

 abound with such a great variety of insects as nearer the sea-coast. 

 That seems to be, in most countries, the first and main situation or 

 resort for most animals. 



*T* *T*' *T* *l x 



Now I hope to be stocked with Padus, as I have received a 

 lovely parcel this spring, from Mrs. Logan, my fascinated widow. 

 I saw the lovely tree growing in Governor Glenn's garden. She also 

 sent me a young tree from there, but the rats almost demolished it. 

 I have also fascinated two men's wives, although one I never saw ; 

 that is, Mrs. Lamboll, who hath sent me two noble cargoes ; one 

 last fall, the other this spring. The other hath sent me, I think, 

 a great curiosity. She calls it a Golden Lily. I thought, when I 

 planted it, to be the Atamasco, but the bud seems different. 



I am apt to think I have not yet got the true Loblolly Bay, 

 though several say they have sent it ; but I believe they are a 

 species of Sweet Bay. Though I have walked and rode by 

 thousands of them, yet I could not find a good root. The Sorrel 

 Tree, and three or four more that I am very fond of, I can't yet 

 procure, though I believe my correspondents strive which can 

 oblige me most. 



PETER COLLINSON TO JOHN BARTRAM. 



London, May 22d, 1762. 



Whilst my dear John is in melancholy mood for the loss of Pitt, 

 I keep myself in ecpial poise ; put the successes in one scale, and 

 his two rash French expeditions, on their coasts, in the other, in 

 which he wantonly sacrificed so many brave Englishmen, to answer 

 no purpose but his vain-glory. Had they been sent then to Mar- 

 tinico, some millions had been the difference to England. If we 



