282 PETER COLLINSON [1766. 



PETER COLLINSON TO JOHN BARTRAM. 



London, August 21, 17G6. 



I received my dear John's letter of June 30th. * 



The Florida Seeds and Fossils came safe, and were delivered to 

 the King, who is pleased with them. 



I am much concerned for thy ulcer. Doctor Fothergill is 

 gone out of town for two months, else would have sent thee his 

 advice. But you have, I should think, skilful people at Phila- 

 delphia, though a good old woman's nostrum has carried the prize 

 from them all. Pray, consult some Indians : they have done won- 

 ders in obstinate cases by their simples. 



I believe our friend William Logan's correspondent is Gordon. 

 No one packs better, although thou had bad luck. * 



* * * * 



My friend John makes no allowance for letters miscarrying, 

 when seeds don't come that he writ for. Repeat them every letter. 

 Remember, the widow in the Gospel succeeded at last by her im- 

 portunity. 



The Stuartia flowered for the first time in the Princess of Wales' 

 Garden, at Kew, which is the Paradise of our world, where all 

 plants are found, that money or interest can procure. When I am 

 there, I am transported with the novelty and variety ; and don't 

 know which to admire first or most. 



I am ruined with two great robberies ; so I cannot stand in any 

 competition. Once, I bore the bell ; but now, I very humbly con- 

 descend to be on an equal footing with my neighbours. We have 

 got an Act passed this session to transport the rogues ; but we 

 must first catch them, and that's not easily done, as they come by 

 night. * * * * 



Now, my dear John, farewell. 



P. Collinson. 



We have had a tedious, uncommon wet summer, which threat- 

 ened distress and famine ; but more than two weeks past good 

 Providence has sent us fine, seasonable, warm, dry weather, for 

 our harvest, and our crops are reported to be plentiful. I dare 

 say thou wonders at my ignorance in this matter, but thy won- 

 der will cease when I tell thee I go every week twelve miles, and 



