LETTER LXIX.

Dr. Sherard to Dr. Richardson.

DEAR SIR,

LONDON, October 14th, 1721.

In the box that Mrs. Wansell sent you on Friday last, by Holdesworth the carrier, directed to B. Bartlett, you will find the two books you desir'd, and a few seeds, such as my brother had by him, or brought from Holland; those from France not being yet come, which I admire at. If I receive them, you shall be sure of part of them, for spring sowing. I have not yet the cones of Cedrus Libani,' but expect them by the return of our general ships. The plants you were so kind to send were taken care of by our gardener, who is an excellent fellow, as fond of plants as his master.

Scheuchzer's works are reprinting by Vander Aa, with a new voyage, that was not in the London edition his Hist. Nat. Helvetia is publish'd only in German, but will be in Latin speedily.2

The books Sir H. Sloane sent you are grown very scarce; few of them being to be met with.

1 Respecting the introduction of this most grand, most spectral, tree into Britain, see Note to the Memoir of Dr. Richardson.

2 It never was so the Beschreibung der Naturgeschichte des Schweizerlands had appeared in 3 vols. 4to. at Zurich in 1706, 1707, and 1708.

I have been to wait on him; but he is so busy, that I fear he'll never have time to look out the plants I want. I told him, before I went to France, that, unless he would let me have the use of them, I would not bring Dr. Dillenius over. He promised me fairly then, and, when I was to wait on him, ask'd me when I wou'd come for them: I answer'd him, I came for part of them, viz. the Lichenes, Musci, &c. being at work on that tribe: he said, I might have Buddle's book (which I had had before): I told him I could not finish them without Plukenet's and Petiver's. Plukenet's, he said, were dispers'd in several volumes (which I knew very well.) I desired then Petiver's, which I suppos'd to be in order and together: he said, they were not, but mixt and in different quires. I shall try him once more; and, if he refuses me, shall not forbear upbraiding him for the breach of his promise, and the expense he has put me to. He has made a catalogue of his medals, which Mons Masson has corrected, and is now busy upon his shells, which he has not time to do with any tolerable exactness. Had he set on his plants, as I would have had him, he might have preserv'd them in some measure; for they will be eat up (if they are not already) in a little time: I mean Petiver's; for Plukenet's are pasted on.

Dr. Dillenius desires me to give you his best services: he has design'd all your mosses that he

had not before, with some out of Buddle's book, and others I had from friends abroad. Your fourth and fifth Musci, in your last, are new to him and me, as also the Lichen; but, upon examining the third, he fears the only head does not belong to it. I'me glad to hear you are so well, and design to make some additions to your mosses. I shall, as soon as we have finish'd that tribe, desire some more specimens of some of the sorts for friends, which you shall have a catalogue of by next.-My brother is at Eltham very busy, where he spends most of his time. My service to your good family, from,

Dear SIR,

Your faithful friend and humble servt,

W. SHERARD.

I think I wrote you that Mr. Moyle is dead.

LETTER LXX.

Dr. Uvedale to Dr. Richardson.

DEAR SIR,

ENFIELD, February 23rd, 1721-2.

I receiv'd your kind present of fowl, and returne you my hearty thankes for it, and your judicious and friendly advice.-I cannot yett gett free of my indisposicion: my family would persuade me I gett ground of it; but I thinke I have

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little reason to believe them. While my distemper was in the extreame parte, it was favourable and of short continuance, but quick returnes; and I did nothing to disturb it; but since it has reach'd my head, it is very troublesome and obstinate, and gives me many restlesse nights and some days. I am not wanting to myself in observing punctually the directions of my kind and learned friends of the faculty, to whome I am much oblig'd; tho' they order me few medicines, but to keep my body open, having blister'd me in a painfull paroxisme, and made fontinells in my scapula. I find noe alteration in my stomach, as I never in my life was a good trencherman. I eat not a great deal and but once in a day, but as much as I us'd to doe when perfectly well, and my meal sits as easy. Neither am I nice in my diet, but use common family food, avoiding only any salt meats, which I cannot thinke proper in my case, tho' they would be gratefull to me; and I deny not myselfe a glasse of generous wine, which is not only allow'd but recommended to me. This is my present case; and whether eighty shall conquer or distemper, God only knows; and I acquiesce in his appointment.'

You may believe my garden suffers as well as I. Tho' I have hands enough, yett not one that understands any thing of the matter; and I can seldome goe to give them directions; and they are

He died August 17th, 1722, aged 81.

not often taken. I am forewarned of hazarding catching cold, which makes me very cautious of venturing out, or staying long in the open air: all the exercise I can take is rumbling about four or five miles every day before dinner in my chariot, which a little refreshes me. But I feare I have tired you. I can, notwithstanding, enjoy a little pleasure in turning over my Hortus Siccus, to which you have been soe great a benefactor; and cannot but beg the continuance of your correspondence, for you are now the only correspondent I have; for I have not had a line from any other of my botanic friends for above four months last past, which is noe pleasant remarque to me. Your kindnesse must make up my disappointment. Adieu, and continue your friendship to

Your obliged friend and serv',

ROB. UVEDALE.

LETTER LXXI.

Dr. Sherard to Dr. Richardson.

LONDON, May 12th, 1722.

DEAR SIR,

I can't tell what thoughts you'll have of me for neglecting so long to answer your last kind letter; but I'le assure you I never was busier