48 Uniform Nomeiiclature of Fruits. 



publication of Mr. Downing's work, though far from being 

 in itself all that could be wished, has yet been exceedingly 

 well timed ; and, by reason of the more extensive circulation 

 it has thereby obtained, will contribute much still further to 

 awaken public attention to this attractive study. From 

 being the latest, it is doubtless rendered, in many respects, 

 the most complete publication that has yet appeared, par- 

 ticularly in iis adaptation to this country, and in the large 

 amount of useful information it will supply to those — no 

 inconsiderable a number — to whom previous sources were 

 unknown or inaccessible. 



It is much to be feared, however, that justice has some- 

 times been lost sight of, in the laudations bestowed upon 

 this work ; and that the author himself has not unfrequently 

 forgotten the obligations he is under to others, his precursors 

 in the same walk. " Honor to whom honor, tribute to whom 

 tribute," is a law that cannot be dispensed with here any 

 more than in religious observances. He has no where, as I 

 can see. suitably acknowledged, that he has derived assist- 

 ance from Keurick or from Prince ; and yet both are authors, 

 from whom, it is apparent, that \\e has drawn as largely as 

 from any others. In many of his chapters, he travels over 

 nearly the same ground, and in much the same manner with 

 the former ; whilst, where he happens to difier from him in 

 opinion, his style and language are imbued with a degree of 

 asperity more commendable to have been avoided. And, 

 though he may not have precisely followed the latter in his 

 descriptions of many varieties of fruits, I am forcibly re- 

 minded, that he, in common with the country at large, is 

 indebted to Prince — father and son — for the possession of 

 some of the most valuable of them. Let us always respect 

 the hand that guides us, since we all must have had our pre- 

 ceptors. 



Indiscriminate praise is as much to be avoided as indis- 

 criminate censure. Downing, like a victorious general, has 

 carried all before him. To the apprehension of many, he 

 seems to have swept, at one blow, all that has resulted from 

 the labors of others for years and years, and which they had 

 given to the public, out of existence and into utter annihila- 

 tion. I have lately seen the " Drap D'or of Coxe and Ro- 



