359 
St. Bartholomew’s; and is. under trial at several others. Still further to in¬ 
form myself of the public opinion, I have lately requested an interview with 
a numerous and most respectable committee at Apothecaries - Hall: it is im¬ 
possible, without a breach of propriety, to repeat the compliments its mem¬ 
bers were pleased to pay me: whether I deserve them or not, it would be 
equally improper in me to determine; but of this the Society may be assured, 
I never will rest till I do. In a word, my purpose was fully answered. The 
article which I exhibited met with the most unqualified approbation, and full 
permission was given to publish this circumstance. I beg leave, before I 
conclude, to apologize for the egotism which prevails throughout this com¬ 
munication. It is scarcefy possible to avoid it, when, in cases like the present, 
a man is under the necessity of speaking of himself. 
It is a subject I have much at heart, and it would give me much real 
concern to keep back a single circumstance likely to be useful to future culti¬ 
vators. Its production and adoption, with the attendant difficulties, have been 
to the best of my abilities amply considered; the former in the communica¬ 
tions beforementioned, the latter in this paper. If the Society are of opinion 
that the steps I am pursuing to effect this last and desirable purpose deserve 
success, it will be highly flattering. Under their auspices 1 commenced my 
plantation eight years ago, and I hope and trust my proceedings since have 
been such that the purpose to which it has been appropriated will occasion 
no regret. I am, Sir, your very humble servant, 
THOMAS JONES.” 
Specimens of English Rhubarb underwent a severe trial at Bath by three 
eminent physicians there, Drs. Falconer, Parry, and A. Fothergill. 
Dr. Falconer reports, that the two specimens of English Rhubarb answer 
in external marks to the characters of the drug when good; that they are 
rather inferior in delicacy of taste to Turkey Rhubarb, but superior in some 
respects to the East Indian; that perhaps they might have resembled the 
Turkey still more clearly, had they been dug up as long a time, and a care¬ 
ful selection of the best pieces had been made. The red colour is said to be 
improved by keeping: and Linnaeus advises it to be kept ten years before it 
is used. Vogel relates, that an apothecary is sent with the Russian caravan 
that goes to the borders of China to purchase Rhubarb, to whom all the 
Rhubarb is delivered, and he is strictly ordered to select carefully the best 
pieces only, and to burn all the decayed and bad. Upon the return of the 
