32 
THE EDEN OF JOHN HILL. 
The University of California Library has been pre- 
sented by Mrs. James B. Smith of Burlingame with a 
fine copy of that rare work, the Eden of John Hill 
[London, 1757], The dedication of the work is here 
transcribed. 
To the Right Honourable The Earl of Bute. 
My Lord, 
He cannot fear the Censure of the World, who may 
address to your Lordship’s most distinguished Name 
his Labours in a Science which has received so great 
Improvement from your own Regard; nor will Malice 
dare to throw out her ineffectual Poison against those 
Endeavours which have been honoured with your Ap- 
probation. 
Botany, one of the most useful among the Sciences, 
and of all the most delightful, had lain through many 
Ages restrained in narrow Limits, and buried under 
artless Methods. Of late the Additions exceed by many 
Times the original Stock: America has furnished us 
with a Number of Plants, larger than all the Grecian 
Studies knew; and the great Swede has made advances 
towards Perfection in the Science, such as perhaps no 
age has seen in any other. 
What we have owed to your Lordship’s Attention in 
adorning our Kingdom with these foreign Elegancies, 
all know who have heard the Name of modern Botany; 
but none can say how much the Science itself may 
stand indebted for farther Improvements to that free 
Patronage you are pleased to give to all who cultivate 
true Knowledge. 
Perhaps it is not too much to hope, that under such 
Auspices the Subject will be pursued successfully, till 
not a Flower of the East or Western World shall be 
wanting in our Gardens; till the Science, traced in 
Nature only, 
Paulatim vitia atque Errores exuit omnes: 
and the Glory of having raised it to that Perfection, 
shall be given to Britain ; and more immediately to 
your Lordship’s Patronage and Example. 
I have the Honour to be with the highest Regard, 
My Lord, Your Lordship’s Most Obedient, and most 
humble Servant, 
JOHN HILL. 
St. James’s Street, 
Nov. 5, 1757. 
Annual dues $1.00 are due and payable. Please re- 
mit to the Secretary, Miss Ehlers, 2613 Durant Ave., 
Berkeley. 
