166 PETER COLLINSON AND JOHN BARTRAM CH. 



have been printed ; it is here given literatim. Identifica- 

 tions have been added to some of the less obvious items, 

 and an asterisk distinguishes those which, according to 

 the opinion of Aiton and Dillwyn, were introduced into 

 England by Collinson. The numerous oaks surely in- 

 clude more varieties than species. 1 



Lord Petre was the first subscriber in 1736, and 

 amongst those who took boxes during the following 

 thirty years, besides the names mentioned, were the 

 Marquis of Kildare and other Irish peers, Thomas Penn, 

 Capel Hanbury, the Prince of Wales, Sir John Mordaunt, 

 Bt., and Dr. Franklin. Collinson acted entirely in a 

 friendly way, taking much trouble, clearing customs, etc., 

 without charge. In this manner very many kinds, 

 especially of the hardy trees of North America, became 

 naturalised in British parks and gardens, and have come 

 to add to the beauty of our scenery, a result which is due 

 in no small measure to the labours of Peter Collinson. 

 With some of his noble friends he became intimate, and 

 would often spend a few days at their country seats, 

 giving them counsel about the improvements they were 

 designing ; he was able, writes Fothergill, to advise what 

 soil, what aspect, best suited different plants and trees ; 

 how best to cover .defects, how to improve beauties. 

 Perceiving how important it was that young people of 

 fortune should early take up some rational pursuit, he 

 tried to lead them into that of horticulture. Planting, 

 he would say, and gardening supply a lasting fund of 

 interest. The trees we ourselves have planted, the fruits 

 we have raised, seem like our own children ; their shade, 

 their taste, their fragrance and their beauties affect us 

 with a richer repast than any others. Each succeeding 

 year produces new forms, fresh beauties, and brings 

 besides much profit. He would add, moreover, that he 

 seldom knew a man possessed of a taste for such pleasures, 

 who was not at the same time temperate and virtuous. 



1 A List of Seeds contained in each Box, written in Collinson's hand in a 

 small MS. book preserved in the Library of the Herbarium, British Museum 

 of Natural History. 



