509 DOCTOR FOTHERGILL [1771. 



these humbler ones have been overlooked. Get a complete collec- 

 tion of these into some corner of thy garden, and send us a few 

 roots, as thou art able to propagate them. There are few trees in 

 your parts, and not many shrubs, which we have not in our gardens. 

 We have many herbaceous plants, likewise ; but I dare say, a very 

 small number of those that are natives of your parts of America. 

 Look carefully after some Ferns for me ; as also bulbous plants, 

 as they flower early, for the most part : and all sweet-scented or 

 showy flowers, or such as are of known efficacy in the cure of some 

 diseases. 



Thy account of the long-lived Tortoise is very agreeable ; and 1 

 am much obliged to thy correspondent, Bartram, for some curious 

 drawings. He has a very good hand ; and I shall be glad to re- 

 ceive from him all his works, and satisfy him for his trouble, when 

 he informs me how much I am indebted to him. 



Perhaps thou will be surprised, when I tell thee one of my prin- 

 cipal inducements to make these collections. It is, that when I 

 grow old, and am unfit for the duties of a most active life, I may 

 have some little amusement in store to fill up those hours, when 

 bodily infirmity may require some external consolations.* I hope, 

 however, not to forget that there are others, much more adecpiate 

 to the desires of our better part ; that part which, when separated 

 from the body, may be enabled to see in a moment all that we 

 seek for here with much solicitude and industry, and yet see it 

 but in part. 



Farewell, I hope thou will hear from me again, in summer. 



J. FOTHERGILL. 



London, 11th 2d mo., 1771. 



Esteemed Friend : 



I have now before me thy two kind letters, one of the 25th 5 

 mo., the other, the 19th 11 mo., 1770. The former contains some 



* The following passage, from the -writings of that eminent botanist, Sir James 

 Edward Smith, is admirably in harmony with the views and sentiments of Doctor 

 F., as indicated in the text. " How delightful and how consolatory is it, among 

 the disappointments and anxieties of life, to observe science, like virtue, retaining 

 its relish to the last ; smoothing the bed of age and infirmity, preserving the mind 

 young and vigorous, alive to all its enjoyments, amid the wreck of its frail cot- 

 tage ; while, in communicating its own ardour and its own light to others, it 

 tastes the happiness of a good father, who feels himself living over again in his 

 children." 



