10 



as coining from a high churchman, in reference to a simple 

 Quaker. 



There is true magnanimity in the manner he speaks of, and 

 leaves behind him an abiding testimonial to reprove, the Royal 

 Society's treatment of Franklin's great discovery ; his political 

 affinities, for the greater part of his life, were of the Wedder- 

 burne school, and those prejudices and partialities which influ- 

 ence most men, imparting a tinge to their feelings and clouding 

 their judgments, were in sympathy with the king's attorney- 

 general in his signally notorious arraignment of Franklin 

 before the British nation.* Whoever looks at his likeness in 

 the life just published by his son, will see more of the expres- 

 sion of a lover of truth and nature, than of a servile hanger-on 

 to monarchy and aristocracy. Its pages tell us also, that in his 

 college days he planned, with Coleridge and others, a settle- 

 ment in this Western world, as Hampden and Cromwell had 

 once done. He was, perhaps, the best informed man upon the 

 greatest variety of subjects of his day ; and, if we mistake not, 

 will in time be judged more charitably by our countrymen. 



But what about this book which tells us so much that we did 

 not know before of Peter Collinson, without any reference to 

 him in the title-page ? 



Its first few pages are devoted to a brief sketch of the pro- 

 gress of botany in North America comprehensive and con- 

 densed beginning with the work of Jac. Cornutus on the 

 plants of Canada, published in 1635, and John Josselyn's New 

 England rarities of 1672, and coming down to the doings of the 

 "accomplished and indefatigable" Asa Gray now in medias 

 res. In looking over this sketch it is interesting to see such 

 names as those of Logan, Clayton, Golden, Mitchell, and 

 Muhlenberg, intimately connected with the history of natural 

 science. 



We next find a biographical sketch of John Bartram, princi- 

 pally taken from a work by his son ; followed by a description 

 of a visit to him at the age of seventy, purporting to be from 



* Those who search out the secret springs of action which produce 

 great events, may discover here what gave that intenseness to the animo- 

 sity which prepared our countrymen for blood. 



