1766.] DOCTOR GARDEN. 399 



But when we nearly examine the various motions of plants and 

 flowers, in their evening contraction and morning expansion, they 

 seem to be operated upon by something superior to only heat and 

 cold, or shade and sunshine ; such as the surprising tribes of the 

 Sensitive Plants, and the petals of many flowers shutting close up 

 in rainy weather, or in the evening, until the female part is fully 

 impregnated : and if we won't allow them real feeling, or what we 

 call sense, it must be some action next degree inferior to it, for 

 which we want a proper epithet, or the immediate finger of God, 

 to whom be all glory and praise. 



***** * 



I don't dwell so long in the vegetable kingdom, as though I 

 thought the wisdom and power of God were only manifest therein. 

 The contemplation of the mineral, and especially the animal, will 

 equally incline the pious heart to overflow with daily adorations 

 and praises to the Grand Giver and Supporter of universal life. 

 But what amazing distant glories are disclosed in a midnight scene ! 

 Vast are the bodies which roll in the immense expanse ! Orbs be- 

 yond orbs, without number, suns beyond suns, systems beyond 

 systems, with their proper inhabitants of the great Jehovah's 

 empire, how can we look at these without amazement, or contem- 

 plate the Divine Majesty that rules them, without the most humble 

 adoration ? Esteeming ourselves, with all our wisdom, but as one 

 of the smallest atoms of dust praising the living God, the great 

 I AM. 



DOCTOR GARDEN TO JOHN BARTRAM, AT ST. AUGUSTINE. 



S. Carolina, February 12th, 1766. 



My dear old Friend : 



How do you do ? It is so long since I had a line from you, and 

 then it was so short, containing no botanical news, that I scarcely 

 could believe it came from you. 



Think that I am here, confined to the sandy streets of Charles- 

 ton, where the ox, where the ass, and where men as stupid as 

 either, fill up the vacant space, while you range the green fields of 

 Florida, where the bountiful hand of Nature has spread every 

 beautiful and fair plant and flower, that can give food to animals, 

 or pleasure to the spectator. 



