1788.] TO H. MARSHALL. .,45 



thee, will be acceptable ; and will be acknowledged either in a 

 pecuniary way, or in any other more agreeable form. 



As it is a pleasing circumstance to hear of our old acquaintance, 

 I have the pleasure to announce the good health of one of the 

 tortoises thou some time ago sent to me : one died by too long 

 confinement in my green-house, when I knew less of their economy. 

 I wish I had a companion, or even a pair, as companions to my 

 survivor, who has grown considerably, and is very lively. 



My garden is about two acres ; at present pretty well filled with 

 plants : but I have paled off an Arbustum round two of my fields, 

 which measures nearly a mile, and this is filling pretty fast ; there 

 is, however, room to introduce some hundreds of shrubs and 

 plants. 



In this city, the Royal Society has admitted Natural History 

 into their Transactions. A Society, however, purely of Natural 

 History, is instituted in London, and will, I think, flourish.* " I 

 am a member, though a very unworthy one, as I rarely attend. 



Such a Society, established in Philadelphia, might be very im- 

 portant. A man of Dr. Parke's influence, with very few others 

 to begin it, would excite emulation in your citizens, and give 

 vigour and permanency to such an institution.! Should that not 

 be effected, any communication to me should be laid before our 

 Society. 



Let me hear from thee, when occasion offers, and believe me thy 



friend, 



J. C. Lettsom. 



DR. MOSES MARSHALL* TO DR. LETTSOM. 



Bradford, Chester County, May 7th, 1788. 



Esteemed Friend : 



In November last, was forwarded to the care of CHARLES Eddy, 



* The allusion here is, doubtless, to the "Linnozan Society," established in the 

 year 1788, and incorporated in 1802 ; of which the estimable and accomplished 

 botanist, Sir James Edward Smith was the principal founder, and, during his 



life, the President. 



+ Such an institution, after some abortive efforts, was successfully established 

 in Philadelphia, just thirty years afterwards, to wit, in the year 1817, by the 

 name of "The Academy of Natural Sciences;" which has signally nourished 

 under the auspices of its munificent patrons, and, by the labours of its learned 

 members, has acquired a distinguished rank in the scientific world. 



t Moses Marshall, son of James Marshall (the younger brother of Hum- 

 phrt) was born in West Bradford, Chester County, on the 30th of November, 



