OLD ESSEX GARDENERS AND THEIR GARDENS. 101
"pace with their increase. His garden was well known all over
"Europe, and foreigners of all ranks asked, when they came
"hither, permission to see it; of which Dr. Solander and myself
"are sufficient witnesses, from the many applications that have
"been made through us for that permission."
In the Department of Botany there is a "Day Book" of the
Banksian Collections from 1777 to 1797, which contains lists of
identifications of plants grown in Kew and other gardens.
Fothergill's garden ranks next to Kew in the number of entries,
these occupying thirteen pages. The. first entry is May 7th,
1777, and gives "Gardiner John Morisin"26 in Solander's writing 
in 1780 the gardener's name is given as John Dudgeon. From
the notes it is apparent that Fothergill must himself have brought
plants to Soho Square27. There are remarks on several of the
species by Solander or Dryander with indications that they are
new ; some of these are described in the Solander MSS. and were
subsequently published in Aiton's Hortus Kewensis.
In his correspondence with Bartram and Marshall there are
many indications that Fothergill was interested in most depart-
ments of natural history. According to Lettsom he had the best
cabinet of shells in the country "next to the Duchess of Port-
"land"; his collection of ores and minerals were distinguished
for their rarity rather than their number; he had a "curious
variety" of reptiles and animals; he possessed "an elegant
cabinet" of insects; "his Corals from whence Ellis, that inde-
"fatigable and microscopical naturalist, delineated his system,28
"and created a new species of animal beings, was the foremost
"in Europe." The shells and corals were offered for purchase
after his death and by his desire to his friend Dr. William Hunter
26 A headstone in the small burial ground of the Brickfields Congregational Chapel at
Stratford bears an inscription, now partially obliterated:—
''In Memory of/Mr. John Morison/
"[Gardener to] th[e late] D[octor] Fothergill/
"Who Departed this Life/March 19th, 1781/"
Aged . . . Years./
Fothergill in his Will left Morison £50.—.Editor.
27 The manner of Fothergill's becoming personally acquainted with Banks is interesting.
Sydney Parkinson was employed as artist by Banks on Cook's first voyage and died on the
return journey. His brother, Stanfield Parkinson, claimed his drawings and collections, and
later published his Journal, together with accusations against Banks of embezzlement. Fothergill
was called in to arbitrate, but had by no means an easy task, he himself becoming the object
of scurrility. Banks eventually, though under no obligation, presented £500 to Sydney
Parkinson's family.
28 J. Ellis and D. C. Solander. The natural history of many curious and uncommon
Zoophytes, etc., 1786. Fothergill generously contributed towards the cost of the plates.