The Botanic Gardens, Chelsea. 153 



For further particulars, especially of the early history of the 

 Observatory, the reader should refer to ' The History of the Kew 

 Observatory,' by Mr. R. H. Scott, F.R.S., already mentioned. 



CHARLES CHREE, 



Stiperintendeni. 



THE BOTANIC GARDENS, CHELSEA, FORMERLY KNOWN 

 AS " THE PHYSICK GARDEN." 



In February, 1721 (1722 new style) Sir Hans Sloane by a deed, 

 one part of which is in the possession of the Society, granted unto 

 and to the use of the Society of Apothecaries for ever, subject to a 

 yearly rent of 5 and to certain conditions, a plot of ground 

 formerly leased to that Society by Lord Cheyne, and known 

 as " The Physick Garden." The most important condition is 

 "" That the Garden should at all times hereafter be continued as a 

 Physick Garden " by the Society of Apothecaries, which shall 

 yearly present to the Royal Society " fifty specimens or samples of 

 distinct plants, well dryed and preserved, and which grew in the 

 said Garden the same year, together with their respective names or 

 reputed names, and so as the specimens or samples of such plants 

 be different, or specifically distinct, and no one offered twice, 

 until the compleat number of two thousand plants have been 

 delivered." 



The deed further provides that if these conditions be not 

 fulfilled, or if the Society shall at any time convert the Garden 

 into buildings for habitations or for any other uses save as a 

 Physic Garden, Sir Hans Sloane, his heirs and assigns, may 

 enter and hold the premises in trust for the Royal Society, which, 

 however, must pay the said rent, and in like manner deliver fifty 

 plants from the Gardens annually to the College of Physicians, and 

 if the Royal Society fail to comply, the Gardens are to be held in 

 trust for the College of Physicians, subject to the same conditions as 

 those originally imposed on the Society of Apothecaries. 



The deed recites that the Society of Apothecaries had "lately 

 resolved upon and sett apart an annuall summe for the maintaining 

 of the ' Garden ' forever," a consideration for the Grant which is 

 not mentioned in the abstract of the Deed published in the ' Memoirs 

 of the Botanic Garden at Chelsea,' by Mr. Henry Field and Dr. R. H. 

 Sernple, printed in 1878. 



The Society of Apothecaries duly presented in each year fifty 



