Notice of the late Mr. George Caley. 229 
in trade: then I returned to the stable again. There being 
many foreign plants to be found in gardens, which I knew 
nothing of, “caused me to purchase the Génera Plantarum and 
Sz systema Vecetabilium. Then I was at a loss about the Latin 
terms, for I had forgot most of what I had learned at school ; 
but they being fechinie al, and chiefly nouns, I soon recover él 
that loss. Now, the idea of visiting foreign parts began to 
enter my mind: I thought of going ‘6 sea ; but not having had 
a nautical education, and could not connie my mind ics it, I 
considered it would be rashness. It was not long before it 
entered my head to write to Sir Joseph Banks. At length he 
sent mean answer: the result was, that he knew of no other 
method than to be employed in a good botanic garden ; and, 
if I made a proper progress, he would give me farther assist- 
ance. I did not much like the thoughts of working in a 
garden, for that would be out of my element ; and being tied 
to regular hours was not like wor ‘king piece-work, knowing 
what I had to do, and then giving over. However, I stood it 
as well as might be expected, till I went to Kew; which place, 
I do sincerely acknowledge, I could not weather: not thr ough 
the hardship of work, but from being debarred of cultivating 
my mind according to its natural ipelmeco Having a little 
idea of manufacturing goods is of great utility to me, for it 
will cause me to pay attention to plants that are worthy of 
being applied to such purposes. ‘Those persons who have 
been sent into foreign parts to collect plants, have not favoured 
agriculture, commerce, and the materia medica, so much as 
an inquisitive mind would expect; for they are chiefly such as 
have worked in some botanic garden. 
“If I was to mention all the difficulties and fatigues that I 
laboured under in pursuing my natural inclination, I should 
never expect to be credited; but I will drop this subject, for 
I am afraid I shall weary your patience. As to learning to 
draw, I assure you that T have not a good opportunity at thie 
present; but, on shipboard, I intend to try at it. With 
regard to ein, I may very easily improve in that; for, at 
the present, I understand the declensions of nouns as well as 
I did when I went to school ; and pretty well of the conjug: 
tion of verbs; and also of the agreements of concords, pantie 
cularly that between the substantive and adjective ; or, to speak 
in short, in what the Génera Plantarum chiefly requires. I 
think it is not very difficult to learn to read the French, but 
difficult to pronounce. Whatever elementary books you 
would favour me with, I could wish to be directed to Strange- 
ways, near Manchester. Iam, with the highest regard and 
esteem, your truly obedient and humble servant, 
“ June 15. 1798. GEORGE CALEY.” 
