122 Selections from the Correspondence of 



Dr. Colden to 3V{r. Collinson. 



Coldengham, Nov. 13th, 1744. 



Dear Sir — I have your very kind letter of the 3d of Septem- 

 ber. If I have had the good fortune to gain your esteem in any 

 degree, and thereby a share in your friendship, I shall think my- 

 self well rewarded for any thing I have done ; and when I con- 

 sider the trouble you take, and the concern you have for the 

 little reputation I can hope to obtain, I may flatter myself that I 

 have gained no small share in both. This encourages me to go 

 on in communicating to you what thoughts have occurred to me, 

 which I think can be any way useful in the world or amusing 

 to you. I cannot deprive myself so far of all self-esteem but to 

 hope, that a life of fifty years, a greater part of it spent in some 

 kind of speculation or other, may produce something worthy 

 your inspection at leisure hours, and therefore I shall continue to 

 communicate some thoughts which have at times occurred to 

 me, on every opportunity I shall have of writing to you. * * 



The observation you made in your former, that we have in 

 America many different species of plants and animals from those 

 found in Europe or other parts of the world, though under the 

 same climate, is certainly true ; and I think we may likewise add, 

 that we have different species of men. This naturally enough 

 leads to the question you put, whether they be the effects of a 

 different creation. But, dear sir, I dare not pretend to give any 

 answer in a matter so high and out of my reach. It is a subject 

 fit to be treated only by first rate philosophers and divines. I 

 should be glad to know your sentiments on it. 



I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Bartram at my house this 

 summer. It is really surprising what knowledge that man has 

 attained merely by the force of industry and his own genius. 

 He has a lively fancy, and a surprising memory and indefati- 

 gable disposition. I warned him with some concern against his 

 exposing himself so much to the inclemencies of our climate as 

 he does, and though he thought his constitution proof against it, 

 * # * [As to your] garden I must, dear sir, entreat you to give 

 us some share of that pleasure, by publishing a description of 

 the plants in it, for I cannot hope to partake with you in any 

 other manner. The use you make of it in admiring the infinite 

 variety and beauty of the works of the Creator, comprehends 



