3(36 DR. JOHN MITCHELL [1750. 



You may direct the box of seeds, &c, to the care of Mr. Col- 

 LINSON, with the others. 



From your humble servant, 



John Mitchell. 



Sir: 



I have received several letters from you, since my last, for which 

 I return you thanks. The reason why I have been so long in 

 writing to you, is, that I have been in Scotland, and over most of 

 that country, with the Duke of Argyle, since my last to you ; and 

 since my return here, have been so engaged in writing some other 

 things, which has disagreed so with the state of my health, that it 

 gives me pain even to sit down to take a pen in my hand, and very 

 often I am unable to do it, on account of a vertiginous disorder 

 which it has occasioned, and brings on ; so that you must excuse 

 me from writing fully and particularly to you, till I can do it with 

 more safety. 



The plants and seeds which you sent for the Duke of Argyle, 

 came safe to hand ; and I have long ago paid Mr. Collixson for 

 them. I lately, likewise, got two or three seeds of the new Mag- 

 nolia from him, which I carried to the Duke, but there is none of 

 them come up ; and it is to be feared that we cannot expect any 

 from about eight or nine seeds which I had, as they are so apt to 



miscarry, at the best. 



******* 



I have been obliged to give over my botanical pursuits, for some 

 time, so that I have not anything to say to you on that head at present. 

 But I have often mentioned you to several great men, whom I have 

 had an opportunity of seeing here, who are very glad to hear of 

 industry and laudable endeavours, but are very backward in re- 

 warding them, at least, with anything that is real and substantial ; 

 which is the most of what I can say on that head, although if it 

 lies in my power to recommend you to anything or to be of any 

 service to you, in any shape, you may freely command, and depend 

 upon Your very humble servant, 



John Mitchell. 



London, August 1, 1750. 



