OLD ESSEX GARDENERS AND THEIR GARDENS. 93
"refused the offer, adding, 'that that could never afford grati-
"fication to him, which entailed misery on another'; and when
"he relinquished this projected Eden, he made the family a
"present of the intended purchase-money, as I was informed
"by a relation of the tenant, and had it in part confirmed by the
"present proprietor." He afterwards had a garden, not far
distant from this admired spot, and this he occasionally visited.
In 1762 he purchased Ham House, at Upton, from Admiral
Elliot with a garden and an estate of about thirty acres.
After Collinson's death Fothergill wrote to Bartram about
the continuance of the sending of seeds. In this letter (1769) he-
says:—
"The present gardener at Kew is, from general account, a very
"ingenious, sensible, honest man. . . . His name is Aiton." He com-
ments on his own circumstances thus:—"As I wish to make thee ade-
"quate satisfaction for the trouble thou hast taken, and may take on
"my account, I should be glad to know in what way I can most
"satisfactorily make thee compensation. Through the favour of
"Providence, and much careful labour, I want for nothing; and
"therefore would desire that all due satisfaction may be given to those
"who are kind enough to do anything for me. . . . My engagements in
"the duties of my station, may, perhaps, render me a very irregular
"corespondent; but my inclination to show regard to every person
"who was the friend of my deceased friend, P. Collinson, will always
"lead me to be as diligent as I can."
Meanwhile Fothergill had entered into correspondence with.
Humphry Marshall (1722-1801), a cousin of John Bartram.
In his first letter (2d 3 mo. 1767) he thanks him for a letter and
a box of seeds, and say she will send him a Miller's "Gardener's
Dictionary."
"As it may suit thy other concerns, I should be glad if thou would
"proceed to collect the seeds of other American shrubs and plants,
"as they fall in thy way; and if thou meets with any curious plant or
"shrub, transplant it at a proper time into thy garden, let it grow
"there a year or two; it may then be taken up in autumn, its roots;
"wrapped in a little moss, and laid in a coarse box, just made close
"enough to keep out mice, but not to exclude the air.
"If thou knows of any plant possessed of particular virtues, and
"that is known by experience to be useful in the cure of diseases, this
"I should be glad to have in particular, both the parts used, and
"seeds of the same.
"I accept thy offers to collect for me the curious animals of your
"country, very readily. . . . Except the Rattlesnake, I have scarce
"any of your reptiles, and but few insects."