SOME ESSEX DOCTORS.
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"standing for shelter. Among these I have planted Kalmias,
"Azaleas, and all the Magnolias, and most other hardy
"American shrubs. It is not quite eight years since I made
"a beginning, so that my plants must be considered as young
"ones. They are, however, extremely flourishing. I have
"an Umbrella Tree (Magnolia tripetala) above 20 feet high
"that flowers with me abundantly every spring; but the
"Great Magnolia (grandiflora) has not yet flowered; it
"grows exceedingly fast; I shelter his top in the winter; he
"gains from half a yard to 2 feet in height every summer,
"and will ere long I doubt not repay my care with his beauty
"and fragrance."
In 1767 Fothergill removed from White Hart Court to
Harpur Street, Bloomsbury, thus increasing the distance from
his Upton Garden, and this and the press of other work, princi-
pally in connection with the foundation of the Friends' School at
Ackworth, left him with but little time to visit his garden by
daylight, and it is said that he used to come down in the evening
and inspect his favourite plants with a lantern. He employed
15 men in the garden and houses and also engaged three or four
artists to make drawings on vellum of each plant when in the
perfection of bloom. Some 2,000 of these were purchased after
his death for £2,300 by the Empress Catherine II. of Russia.
The idea of abandoning the garden he had created was
entertained reluctantly, but other considerations were pressing,
and he writes:—
"I am in treaty to let Upton. I find it embarrassing in
"point of time, and though managed with frugality, expensive.
"I shall preserve the liberty of the garden and part of its
"produce, but quit all further use of it for a lease of seven
"years. What seeds I receive will be taken care of, and I con-
"tribute to the support of the gardens."
His occupancy of Upton was never resumed, for he died on
26 December, 1780, at the age of 68 years, and is buried in the
Friends' Burial Ground at Winchmore Hill, where a small head-
stone bears the brief inscription:
"John Fothergill, M.D.
"died 12 mo. 26. 1780 aged 68."
Fothergill was responsible for the introduction of about
90 plants into England and after his death his friend, Dr. Lettsom,