APPENDIX A 



THOMAS BASKERVILLE'S ACCOUNT OF THE 

 PHISICK GARDEN, CIRC. 1683 



From the " Collectanea, IV," of the Oxford Historical Society, transcribed 

 from "MS. Rawlinson" D. 810 in the Bodleian Library 



As to y e Phisick Garden & its Rarityes of that nature, since it stands 

 on ground lately purchased from Magdalen Colleclge, it may now justly 

 challenge a remembrance, & that you may haue a true character of its 

 work & beauty take here an account oft from him y l now keeps it, the 

 skilfull and Ingenious Gardener himselfe, my friend M r Jacob Bobert. 



Amongst y e severall famous structures & curiosities wherewith y e 

 flourishing University of Oxford is enriched, that of y e Publick Physick 

 Garden deserues not y e last place, being a matter of great use & ornament, 

 prouving serviceable not only to all Physitians, Apothecaryes, and those 

 who are more imediately concerned in the practise of Physick, but to 

 persons of all qualities seruing to help y e diseased and for y e delight & 

 pleasure of those of perfect health, containing therein 3000 seuerall sorts 

 of plants for y e honor of our nation and Universitie & service of y e Cornon- 

 wealth. This noble thing was y e Benefaction of y u Right Honourable 

 Henry, Earle of Danby, who then liued at his house at Cornebury, who, 

 purchasing a most convenient plot of ground of 5 acres of Magdalen 

 Colledge land thereto adjoyning, being aptly watered w th ye Riuer Char- 

 well by it gliding, and built thereon a most stately wall of hewen stone 

 14 foot high with 3 very considerable Gates thereto, one whereof was to 

 the cost of at least 500 pounds, wch worthy work was all finished in y e 

 yeare 1632. And endowed the same with the Parsonage impropriate of 

 Kirkdale in the County of York, to remain for perpetuitie. 



After the walls & gates of this famous garden were built, old Jacob 

 Bobert father to this present Jacob may be said to be y e man y l first gave 

 life & beauty to this famous place, who by his care & industry replenish'd 



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