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the world ! What congratulations and what salutations passed 

 between us ! How happy should I be to pass my life with men 

 so distinguished by genius, acuteness, and liberality, as well as 

 by eminent botanical learning and experience ! Men, in whom 

 the greatest knowledge and skill are united to the most amiable 

 candour, 



Anirnce, qiiales neque candidiores 



Terra tulit.' 



Such an estimate of Bartram, and such a report of him to the 

 great master of the science in which they all rejoiced, is con- 

 firmed by the following letter, which bears date in 1762, and 

 shows that their kind feelings were reciprocal. If there is 

 anything to surpass it in our language, it has not met our eye. 

 The letter is from John Bartram to Dr. Garden. 



" My dear worthy friend, I am much affected every time 

 that I read thy pious reflections on the wonderful works of the 

 omnipotent and omniscient Creator. The more we search and 

 accurately examine his works in nature, the more wisdom we 

 discover, whether we observe the mineral, vegetable, or animal 

 kingdom. But, as I am chiefly employed with the vegetable, 

 I shall enlarge more upon it. 



" What charming colours appear in the various tribes, in the 

 regular succession of the vernal and autumnal flowers these so 

 nobly bold, those delicately languid ! What a glow is enkin- 

 dled in some, what a gloss shines in others ! With what a mas- 

 terly skill is every one of the varying tints disposed ! Here, 

 they seem to be thrown on with an easy dash of security and 

 freedom ; there, they are adjusted by the nicest touches. The 

 verdure of the empalement, or the shading of the petals, impart 

 new liveliness to the whole, whether they are blended or 

 arranged. Some are intersected with delicate stripes, or stud- 

 ded with radiant spots ; others affect to be genteelly powdered, 



prove that part of the science. How often have I been pleased, delighted, 

 and instructed by many of his lively and strong natural thoughts on 

 gems, as to their structure, vxe, time, and properties ! I shall not detain 

 you longer, but again beg leave to request the favour of your correspon- 

 dence, and your forgiveness for this trouble. I am, with great esteem, 

 Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant, 



ALEXANDER GARDEN. 



