i68 A HISTORY OF GARDENING IN ENGLAND 



Larch, Tulip-tree and Cedar among the number, were scarcely 

 obtainable. The following letter written by him to Samuel 

 Pepys, in 1686, shows the active interest he took in the work.^ 



Letter from John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys, dated from Says 

 Court, September i, 1686, addressed — 



For Mr. Secretary Pepys, &c., 



At the Admiralty in 



Yorke buildings. 

 Sr, 



When I had last the honor to see & to dine w"* you, 

 there was a Captaine (multorum mores hominum qui vidit et 

 urbes) who going to command some forces in New-England, 

 was so generous, as to offer me his assistance, in procuring 

 for me, anything which I thought curious, & rare among the 

 plants of those Countries. The Ingenuity, & extraordinary 

 Industie of the Gent : by what I both learn' d from the 

 Character you gave of him, & what I myself e could observe 

 in so short a time ; together with your interest in him ; makes 

 me not willing to omitt so favourable an opportunitie, of 

 putting this Note into his hands, thro yours : and that if it 

 may comply with his diversion, when he is in the Countrie, 

 to collect any of these (or other) natural productions of the 

 Vegetable Kingdome : You (who first were pleas' d, to recomend 

 me to him) will give him leave they may be sent, & consigned 

 under your auspicious name, to 

 S^ 



most humble, & 

 S • Court continualy Obligd Servant 



2<^: Sepr;— 86 J- EVELYN. 



Plants of New England & Virginia known by these names : 



N : Engl : 



1 . The White Cedar . . . . . . The Seedes onely 



2. Cedar of N : England . . . . . . Seedes 



3. Larch-tree . . . . . . . . Seedes & plants 



4. Lime-tree . . . . . . . . Seedes & plants 



^ MS. in the possession of Lady Amherst, of Hackney.^ 



