8 



use of fruits and vegetables in this country, 

 many dreadful diseases, as the leprosy, &c. 

 are no longer prevalent, or have lost their 

 baneful effects. 



Induced by these reflections, the author 

 endeavoured to discover to whom we are 

 indebted for such comforts and advantages ; 

 in doing which, he met with considerable 

 difficulty, for modern historians are silent on 

 the subject, though they often dwell long 

 on others not really so interesting ; and the 

 few works in our language on this head, are 

 either too expensive or strictly botanical for 

 general readers. However, encouraged by 

 the observation of Sir Joseph Banks, that 

 " Every anecdote that tends to throw 

 light on the introduction, or on the pro- 

 bable origin of plants now collected for 

 use, is interesting, even though it is not 

 quite perfect/' he continued his researches 

 till he was flattered that the work, originally 

 intended only as a private instruction for his 

 family, might, with care, become worthy the 

 perusal of the public, and enable him to 

 make further inquiries and discoveries, which 

 has emboldened him to send it forth to the 

 world. 



It has been the compiler's wish and en- 

 deavour to render the work a History of 



