LETTERS to Dr. RICHARDSON*,

continued from vol. I.

p.

816.

Rev. Dr. ROBERT UVEDALE to Dr. RICHARDSON.

April 30, 1695.

"SIR, "I return my thanks for your kind answer. I am a fellowsufferer in the Garden by the severity of the Winter; and also in the more considerable loss of my very good and worthy Friend Dr. Herman. I am not encouraged to hope the like correspondence from his successor. The list of Native Plants of England was very welcome to me; and, by the few underwritten which I have, you will see how poor I am; but I hope, from your kindness, to be better stocked all the season. Whenever you send, be pleased to send forward to London, giving me by the post advice when the carrier will be there, his name, and inn. I have not yet examined my Garden, being in the case of failing Traders, who are afraid to look into their books. As soon as I have any leisure, I will give you account by a list what Exotics survive, and be ready to send to your command; entreating you to signify to me whether you cultivate any but what live abroad, or have convenient conservatories for those of hotter countries. I have yesterday sent to London a box of Auricula, and some varieties of Primula Veris Polyanthos caule folioso, directed to you; I know not by what carrier it is conveyed, either Kendal or Bradford. I gave directions to enquire for both, and to send forward by him that went first out; but the answer is not yet brought me, the coachman not being returned, and forgot to send by his man, though he assures me the box is delivered. I hope the flowers will not be so faded but you may see them. I sent these only as a specimen. You may command more variety when you please. I was in London last week, and in my absence the rain had so battered them that the beauty was gone. Had I received yours before I went, you would have seen them much finer. Of Natives of England mentioned in yours I have only the following:

"Acetosa rotundifol. Ebor. fol. in med, deliquium patiente. Mor. "Allium àμínaçãov fol. porraceis flor. et nucleis purp. R. Syn. "Filix Saxatilis caule tenui fragili. R. Cat.

"Papaver corniculatum flore luteo. C. B.

For the Memoirs of this eminent Physician, who may very properly be styled the Mæcenas of his age, see vol. I. p. 225.

+Of whom see the "Literary Anecdotes," vol. IX. pp. 485, 755, 816. VOL. III.

Y

"R. Pen

"R. Pentaphylloides fruticosum. R. Cat.

"Sedum Alpinum trifido folio. C. B.

“ Any of the rest, especially the Capillary tribe, will be extremely welcome to me, or any that you hereafter meet with in the field.

"Exotics desired when you can spare them are the following: "Arachus Clematitis rubra pulcherrima.

"Dentaria affinis Echii flor. Mor.

66

Eupatorium Canadens. Urticæ foliis.

“ Jacobaa maritima segmentis fol. latioribus. Flor. Bot.

،،

66

، Plantago argentea angustifol. e Rupi Victoria. Sch. Bot.

Stachys Betonica fol. subincano. H. L. B.

"Viola Martia flor. minimo inodoro limbis fol. argenteis.

"Filix Polypodii facie fol. quernis. Fl. Bat.

"I assure you, I will endeavour to make you suitable returns for whatever you send, desiring your directions how I may further my own intentions, and pleasure you therein. I am, Sir, ROB. UVEDAle.

،، Your faithful humble servant,

"Be pleased, when you send, to direct to me at Enfield, to be sent to the Enfield coach at the Bull in Bishopsgate-street, if not called for the coachman, upon receipt, will pay carriage and charges; but, if I have advice, I shall save the carrier that labour." Oct. 27, 1696.

« SIR,

"I received the Plants sent, and return my hearty thanks for them. On Thursday I sent a little box with four Myrtles, all I could crowd in, and a few Tulip Bulbs; the other Myrtles you shall have in the Spring, and the boxes which were not spoiled in carriage. I wish these come well; for it was a very wet time when they were packed. The Myrtles are, two of the white variegated, and two variegated with yellow. The Bulbs are underwritten by the barbarous names the Flower-sellers give them, which, for distinction sake, they keep them by. In the Spring I will acquaint you with my losses, and trouble you to recruit me at your conveniency. 1. Amarillis. 2. Angelick. 3. Arco de Ciel. 4. Astrea. 5. Aurora Imperial. 6. Bel Clarinda. 7. Bel President. 8. Brabanson de Will. 9. Camillus. 10. Carnivall. 11. Chevalier Gredaline. 12. Diana. 13. Dorothea. 14. Duke of Savoy. 15. Formosa. 16. Hispaniolell. 17. Jacobaa. 18. Jacobine. 19. Jardinier Royal. 20. King of Portugal. 21. Limner. 22. Lesimoreen. 23. Nasse. 24. Pluto. Por Zeeland. 26. Satinee. 27. Sullen. 28. Turbant Imperial. 29. Venice. 30. Double pounced.

25.

"I hope to furnish you with July-flowers at Spring. I thank you for the two specimens sent; they are as welcome as living Plants, which cannot be sent conveniently.

"I am, Sir, your faithful humble servant, ROB. UVEDALE."

"DEAR SIR, Enfield, March.., 1696-7. "Yours of the 7th came to me yesterday; and on the 10th I sent forward to you a box of July-flowers by the Bradford car

rier, remembering that in the Autumn you desired some of me. I have none of my own, but from a Friend I received those sent ; who makes great complaints, as we all have occasion, for the losses by the Winter, which has eased me too of the trouble of making a register at present; for, as before, I could not find time to write the names of my Plants, I believe now, upon enquiry, I should not find names to write; but they who cultivate Plants must expect such fortune. I have not examined my losses yet, but believe myself in the condition of traders who are running down in the world, and care not to look into their books. My Green-houses have escaped tolerably well; my Stove but indifferently, by a misfortune in the worst of the weather. I was absent from home about ten days; and in that time my Gardener seized with a dangerous fever; his directions, such as he gave, were not observed for want of skill, and my Plants took both cold and heat enough to kill some, and make others very sickly.

"I am glad your Northern Plants survive. I fear they have not liked their quarters here so well, and forsaken them. When I look over my Garden, which this weather will tempt me to do at my first leisure, I fear I shall send you a long dead list. You are very obliging in offering to communicate what Fossils you have collected. I never had conveniency to gather; but, when any natural rarity lights into my hands I prize it much, and think myself rich, valuing my is wolny. You may freely command what my Garden affords; therefore pray let me have your order while the Spring lasts. I have had little from abroad of Africans, except a small parcel sent by Dr. Hotton; the quantity and number he made excuse for, having them by chance from Denmark, one of their ships last year touching at the Cape, but none of the Dutch East Indiamen (so wise they are in their generation to avoid an expecting enemy). Dr. Sherard sent me some Seeds from Rome, but a small quantity of each, for the conveniency of portage. There are some very good Plants among them. A few I have received from the Oxford Garden; and a pretty numerous parcel from a Scotch Gentleman, but I fear they have been his collection ever since he went abroad, the freshest pretend no later than 1695; from them, though many, I expect little. This is the fund I am obliged to put up with after my losses; if it turns out in any degree well, you shall share with me in the product. "I am, Sir, your obliged and most humble servant,

ROB. UVEDALE." "DEAR SIR, Enfield, March 10, 1697-8. "After a very long and severe Winter, I hope now we shall look again into our Gardens. I shall be glad to hear how it has fared with you. I fear considerable loss in mine; but of late years I have been used to it, which makes it more tolerable. If I have any thing left that will be pleasurable to you, let me know, and try this Spring season to remove Plants, that they may have a Summer to inure them to the country, and fortify themselves against Winter succeeding. Our Friend Dr. Sherard's stay in

England was so short, that he could allow me but one visit at my house, where I enjoyed his company a day or two with satisfaction; and he went abroad again in such a hurry, designing as soon as he came into Holland to go forward, that I have not yet heard from him but by Monsieur Comeline, who let me know he was then well. Now the seas are open again, we may hope for something from abroad; but I find correspondence discontinued for some time is not quickly renewed; however, I have endeavoured to settle what I can, though I have received nothing yet, but expect daily. You obliged me last year very much with the Fossils sent as any came to your hands. They will be very welcome to me what you can spare. I hope to hear of your health by the first leisure; and am, unfeignedly,

"Your affectionate friend and servant, Roв. Uvedale." "DEAR SIR, May 9, 1699. "The Spring coming on now, though long first, makes me a little look into my Garden, and renew my acquaintance with my kind Botanic Friends, among whom your civilities must make me reckon you among the first; and accordingly I shall be as ready to make you any return I can, which makes me write at present for your commands. I designed to have sent you Plants early last year, but was some way or other then prevented. I would not willingly be so this; therefore, if you please to let me hear from you, the next return your orders shall be obeyed. I have (as I used to do) lost almost, if not quite, all my Northern Plants. They give us only a short visit, but will not stay long with us;-what occurs without too much trouble will be welcome. At your leisure I should be glad of the Helleborines, of which you have variety; only the Calceolus abides with me. Adianthum floridum; Juncus cum cauda leporind; the Grasses, Sedum, Gnaphalium, Rosmar. Sylv. Park. Primula Veris purp. Park. &c. are shifting visitants; when many others, much nicer, continue well with us. I have this Spring been thrown back in my Garden by other cares, having had a sick family; but, God be thanked, all now well; seventeen of my house having had the small-pox within the compass of less than three months last past, and, I thank God, all safe and well again; among which, six of my own children, which employed all the hands we had, having eleven down together; but now, more leisure and better weather gives room for a little diversion again without doors.

"You will add much to it and my satisfaction, in being so kind to let me hear from you, who will be always, dear Sir,

"Your assured and faithful servant, ROB. UVEDAle," Feb. 13, 1699-1700.

"DEAR SIR,

"The Spring beginning to invite to look into the Garden, I seldom walk there but I find something to remember me of you. Had I kept all together, I should have had less occasion to trouble you so often as I do; but the Northern Plants will not be kind to us here. However, I am not weary of entertaining them,

though

though they (like the Negroes who dispatch themselves, fancying they shall return into their own country) will die whether we will or no. I know not yet what are left me: the weather can have hurt none, I am sure, this Winter; when I muster them up, you are like to be troubled with a dead list. The occasion of sending now is, to know if you have any commands for me this Spring. You will be sure of a ready compliance with them. Our common Friend Dr. Sherard gave me his company for two or three days last week. I hope we shall keep him in England We remembered you in a glass of wine; and he told me he designed to write to you. He brought me some Seeds, part of tender, others of hardy Plants. I suppose he has communicated to you; if not, what will allow a moiety shall be yours upon advice.

now.

"Sir, I wish you all health and happiness, and that you will continue your kindness to

"Your assured humble servant, "DEAR SIR,

ROB. UVEDALE." March 9, 1699-1700.

"I hasted all I could to send you a box of Seeds. They are all fresh, and of those received from Dr. Sherard I sent the moiety of all that there were in any tolerable quantity of some I received not above two or three Seeds. I shall be glad to know what rise with you this year, either of this parcel or others; for Collections of Plants are very thin about London now; a few of the Rariores are cultivated here and there. You mention correspondence with Mr. Sutherland, which I have held some years; but the distance, and want of convenience to send to and fro, has made it almost useless to me. He has writ twice or thrice to me since Autumn, and has had returns this week. He sent me a list of what he observed in his walks last year; and yesterday one of his countrymen came, by his order, for a parcel of Seeds made up for him above a month, but wanted portage. He tells me of ships that will now pass to and fro every fortnight; if so, I may hope to send and receive what he can furnish; but you, being nearer him, I suppose may have better conveniency, to whom I believe I must be beholden at second-hand.

"I will, the first leisure I can get, send you forward some Plants; what is desired shall not be omitted, &c. I have not had time to look over what remains alive of your former kindnesses; as soon as I can, I will make my plaint for my losses, and beg of you to recruit me. In the mean time continue your favours to, and believe the real assurances of ready service from,

"Your affectionate humble servant, ROB. UVEDALE. "The box, directed as formerly, was delivered to the Bradford carrier on Wednesday last. Let me hear of the receipt, I pray; and if any thing else is desired, which, if in my reach, you are sure of."

"DEAR SIR, From Enfield, Aug. 30, 1700. "I received the box of Plants you sent, and return you my due thanks. They were all welcome to me, though two thirds,