344 DOCTOR FOTHERGILL [1772. 



to a considerable distance, for about two months, in order to 

 recover strength sufficient to undergo the duties of my profession. 

 Here I used to have a little time to correspond with my distant 

 friends ; but last year I was wholly prevented. * * 



The Frogs came safe, and lively. I transcribed thy account of 

 them, and had it delivered to the King, with an intimation that 

 they were in my hands, and should be sent whenever he would 

 please to order. No order ever came to me. * * * 



I imagine they are quite forgot, and will never be called for ;* 

 and having once made the offer, through a channel of some conse- 

 quence, I shall make no farther overture. 



In a letter to my nephew, thou intimates that pro- 

 bably "Will. Young may have endeavoured to raise some prejudice 

 against thee. He has not. He durst not attempt it, as he knew 

 my esteem for thee. He never spoke one word to thy disadvan- 

 tage. My silence has been solely owing to incessant occupation. 

 I have endeavoured to assist this poor man, and have aided him 

 considerably ; but he will not succeed, nor can he be supported. 



A few weeks ago I received a letter and some drawings, from 

 thy son William, in Carolina. For his sake, as well as thine, I 

 should be glad to assist him. He draws neatly ; has a strong 

 relish for Natural History ; and it is pity that such a genius should 

 sink under distress. Is he sober and diligent ? This may be an 

 uncommon question to ask a father of his son ; and yet I know thy 

 integrity will not suffer thee to mislead me.- I would not have it 

 understood that I mean to support him. I would lend him, how- 

 ever, some little assistance, if he is worthy. He proposes to go to 

 Florida. It is a country abounding with great variety of plants, 

 and many of them unknown. To search for these, will be of use 

 to science in general ; but I am a little selfish. I wish to intro- 

 duce into this country the more hardy American plants, such as 

 will bear our winters without much shelter. However, I shall 

 endeavour to assist his inclination for a tour through Florida ; and 

 if he succeeds, shall, perhaps, wish him to see the back parts of 

 Canada. Many curious flowering plants will doubtless be found 

 about the lakes, that will grow anywhere. 



* About those days, the premonitory symptoms of the American Revolution 

 were making their appearance, and his Britannic Majesty had American produc- 

 tions to attend to, which were rather more interesting to him, at that time, than 

 our bull-frogs. 



