38 



which appeared soon after his death, and is generally ascribed 

 to Dr. Fothergillf gave rise to a correspondence with Dr. 

 Franklin as to its authorship. 



The following passage is from one of Franklin's letters 

 " If we estimate the goodness of a man by his disposition to 

 do good, and his constant endeavours and success in doing it, 

 I can hardly conceive that a better man has ever existed ;" 

 speaking of himf who was first to sound Peter Collinson's 

 praises, when he went from earth to heaven. 



But even Peter Collinson, with Dr. Fothergill at his right 

 hand, could hardly have made Bartram what he became, but 

 for what he says of himself ; 



" I had always since ten years old, a great inclination for 

 plants, and knew all that I once observed by sight, though not 

 their proper names, having no persons or books to instruct me ;" 

 and, for what his son says of him " He had all, or most of 

 the education that could at that time be acquired in our country 

 schools ; and whenever an opportunity offered, he studied such 

 of the Latin and Greek grammars and classics as his circum- 

 stances enabled him to purchase, and always sought the society 

 of the most learned and virtuous men." The son also says, 

 that the intimate friendship and correspondence between his 

 father and Peter Collinson continued fifty years, although the 

 letters brought to light by Dr. Darlington, cover a period of 

 but thirty-four. He purchased the place which his garden has 

 made classic ground, at sheriff's sale in 1728, and built the house 

 still standing there in 1731. 



Bartram's garden has been an object of interest the world 

 over, for a century past. Unique in its character and extent 

 on this side the water, it became early somewhat famous. It 

 was not only attractive to naturalists, but was generally visited 

 by strangers who came to Philadelphia to spend any time, and 

 frequently by the passing traveller. Its precise location is on 

 the west bank of the Schuylkill, a little below Gray's Ferry, an 

 intervening bluff hiding it from the Woodlands, originally retired 

 from the great public road leading south. Now, indeed, the 



* See a fuller sketch of his life and character in the Appendix, 

 f Dr. Fothergill. 



