Bartram's House.

menced in 1772, at the request of Dr. Fothergill, the distinguished botanist and liberal and benevolent friend of science, and he occupied five years in his natural history pursuits in Georgia, South Carolina, and the Floridas. On his return to Philadelphia he quietly passed his time in scientific occupations, residing at the old Botanic Garden at Kingsessing, never marrying, though occasionally rallied on the subject by his London friend Collinson. In 1782 he was elected Professor of Botany in the University of Pennsylvania, but did not accept the position on account of his health. He assisted Wilson in his American Ornithology. His friend Barton was indebted to his pencil for drawings of the plates of his Elements of Botany. In 1789 he wrote a reply to a series of que-tions proposed to him on the condition of the Creek and Cherokee Indians, of whose manners he had been a diligent and enrious observer, which has been lately reprinted from the original manuscript in the Transactions of the American Ethnological Society. The namɔ of his correspondent in this work has been lost, but the probability rests with Dr. B. S. Barton, who refers in his Memoir on the Origin of the American Nations, to a MS. of Bartrain on these subjects in his possession.* His views of the character of the Southern Indians in this sketch, as well as in his Travels, place them in a very favorable light, for their possession of many honorable personal qualities.

In May, 1797, he was visited by Dunlap, in company with Brockden Brown, at the Botanic Garden, and the curious historiographer and painter has left a sketch of his appearance:"Arrived at the botanist's garden, we approached an old man, who, with a rake in his hand, was breaking the clods of earth in a tulip bed. Ilis hat was old and flapped over his face his coarse shirt was seen near his neck, as he wore no cravat or kerchief; his waistcoat and breeches were both of leather, and his shoes were tied with leather strings. We approached and accosted him. He censed his work, and entered into conversation with the case and politeness of nature's nobleman. His countenance was expressive of

traveller, and philosopher we had come to see. He had pointed out many curious plants."*

Bartram appears to have been engaged in these friendly pursuits of science to the last, for it is recorded he wrote an article on the natural history of a plant, a few minutes before his death, which happened suddenly, by the rupture of a bloodvessel in the lungs, July 22, 1823, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. The correspondence of the Bartrams and Humphry Marshall, who was the cousin of John Bartram and author of a valuable Treatise on the Forest Trees of North America, with their scientific friends in Europe and at home, is of interest for its simple, unaffected character, and the curiosity and information of many of its details. This correspondence was published in 1849, with many other interesting memorials, by William Darlington.t

EPHEMERA.

Leaving Picolata, I continued to ascend the river. I observed this day, during my progress up the river, incredible numbers of small flying insects, of the genus termed by naturalists Ephemera, continually emerging from the shallow water near shore, some of them immediately taking their flight to the land, whilst myria ls crept up the grass and herbage, where remaining for a short time, as they ac quired sufficient strength, they took their fight also, following their kindred to the main land This resurrection from the deep, if I may so express it, commences early in the morning, and ceases after the sun is up. At evening they are seen in clouds of innumerable millions, swarming and wantoning in the still air, gradually drawing near the river. They descend upon its surface, and there quickly end their day, after committing their eggs to the deep; which being for a little while tossed about, enveloped in a viscid scum, are hatched, and the little Larvæ descend into their secure and dark habi tation, in the oozy bed beneath, where they remain gradually increasing in size, until the returning spring; they then change to a Nymph, when the genial heat brings them, as it were, into existence, and they again arise into the world. This fly seems to be delicious food for birds, frogs, and fish. In the morning, when they arise, and in the evening, when. they return, the tumult is great indeed, and the surface of the water along shore broken into bubbles, or spirted into the air, by the contending aquatic tribes; and such is the avidity of the fish and frogs, that they spring into the air after this delicious

prey.

Early in the evening, after a pleasant day's voy. age, I made a convenient and safe harbor, in a little lagoon, under an elevated bank, on the West shore of the river; where I shall entreat the reader's pa. tience, whilst we behold the closing scene of the short-lived Ephemera, and communicate to each other the reflections which so singular an exhibition might rationally suggest to an inquisitive mind. place of observation is happily situated under the protecting shade of majestic Live Oaks, glorious Magnolias, and the fragrant Orange, open to theview of the great river and the still waters of the lagoon just before us.

Hist. Am. Theatre, 170,

Our

+ Memorials of John Bartram and Humphry Marshall, with Notices of their Botanical Contemporaries, by William Dar lington, 1849,

At the cool eve's approach, the sweet enchanting melody of the feathered songsters gradually ceases, and they betake themselves to their leafy coverts for security and repose. {

Solemnly and slowly move onward, to the river's shore, the rustling crowds of the Ephemera How awful the procession! innumerable millions of winged beings, voluntarily verging on to destruction, to the brink of the grave, where they behold bands of their enemies with wide open jaws, ready to receive them. But as if insensible of their dauger, gay and tranquil each meets his beloved mate in the still air, inimitably bedecked in their new nuptial robes. What eye can trace them, in their varied wanton amorous chases, bounding and flut tering on the odoriferous air! With what peace, love, and joy, do they end the last moments of their existence i

I think we may assert, without any fear of exag geration, that there are annually of these beautiful winged beings, which rise into existence, and for a few moments take a transient view of the glory of the Creator's works, a number greater than the whole race of mankind that have ever existed since the creation; and that, only from the shores of this river. How many then must have been produced since the creation, when we consider the number of large rivers in America, in comparison with which, this river is but a brook or rivulet!

The importance of the existence of these beautiful and delicately formed little creatures, whose frame and organization are equally wonderful, more delicate, and perhaps as complicated as those of the most perfect human being, is well worth a few moments' contemplation; I mean particularly when they appear in the fly state. And if we consider the very short period of that stage of existence, which we may reasonably suppose to be the only space of their life that admits of pleasure and enjoyinent, what a lesson doth it not afford us of the vanity of our own pursuits!

Their whole existence in this world is but one complete year; and at least three hundred and sixty days of that time they are in the form of an ugly grub, buried in mud, eighteen inches under water, and in this condition scarcely locomotive, as each larva or grub has but its own narrow solitary cell, from which it never travels or moves, but in a perpendicular progression of a few inches, up and down, from the bottom to the surface of the mud, in order to intercept the passing atoms for its food, and get a momentary respiration of fresh air; and even here it must be perpetually on its guard, in order to escape the troops of fish and shrimps watching to catch it, and from whom it has no escape, but by instantly retreating back into its cell. One would be apt almost to imagine them created merely for the food of fish and other animals.

CROCODILES ON THE ST. JOHN'S.

The evening was temperately cool and calm. The crocodiles began to roar and appear in uncom mon numbers along the shores and in the river. I fixed my camp in an open plain, near the utmost projection of the promontory, under the shelter of a large live oak, which stood on the highest part of the ground, and but a few yards from my boat. From this open, high situation, I had a free prospect of the river, which was a matter of no trivial consideration to me, having good reason to dread the subtle attacks of the alligators, who were crowding about my harbour. Having collected a good quantity of wood for the purpose of keeping up a light and smoke during the night, I began to think of preparing my supper, when, upon examining my

stores, I found but a scanty provision. I thereupon determined, as the most expeditious way of supply. ing my necessities, to take my bob and try for some trout. About one hundred yards above my harbour began a cove or bay of the river, out of which opened a large lagoon. The mouth or entrance from the river to it was narrow, but the waters soon after spread and formed a little lake, extending into the marshes: its entrance and shores within I observed to be verged with floating lawns of the pistia and nymphea and other aquatic plants; these

knew were excellent haunts for trout.

The verges and islets of the lagoon were elegantly embellished with flowering plants and shrubs; the laughing coots with wings half spread were tripping over the little coves, and hiding themselves in the tufts of grass; young broods of the painted summer teal, skimming the still surface of the waters, and following the watchful parent unconscious of danger, were frequently surprised by the voracious trout; and he, in turn, as often by the subtle greedy alligator. Behold him rushing forth from the flags and reeds. His enormous body swells. His planted tail, brandished high, floats upon the lake. The waters like a cataract descend from his opening jaws Clouds of noke issue from his dilated nostrils. The earth trembles with his thunder. When immediately from the opposite coast of the lagoon, emerges from the deep his rival champion. They suddenly dart upon each other. The boiling surface of the lake marks their rapid course, and a terrific conflict commences. They now sink to the bottom folded together in horrid wreaths. The water becomes thick and discoloured. Again they rise, their jaws clap together, re-echoing through the deep surrounding forests. Again they sink, when the contest ends at the muddy bottom of the lake, and the vanquished makes a hazardous escape, hiding himself in the muddy turbulent waters and sedge on a distant shore. The proud victor exulting returns to the place of action. The shores and forests resound his dreadful roar, together with the trium hing shouts of the plaited tribes a:ound, witnesses of the horrid combat.

My apprehensions were highly alarmed after being a spectator of so dreadful a battle. It was obvious that every delay would but tend to increase my dangers and difficulties, as the sun was near setting, and the alligators gathered around my harbour from all quarters From these considerations I concluded to be expeditious in my trip to the lagoon, in order to take some fish. Not thinking it prudent to take my fusee with me, lest I might lose it overboard in case of a battle, which I had every reason to dread before my return, I therefore furnished myself with a club for my defence, went on board, and penetrating the first line of those which surrounded my harbour, they gave way; but being pursued by several very large ones, I kept strictly on the watch, and paddled with all my might towards the entrance of the lagoon, hoping to be sheltered there from the multitude of my assailants; but ere I had half-way reached the place, I was attacked on all sides, several endeavouring to overset the canoe. My situation now became precarious to the last degree: two very large ones attacked me closely, at the same instant, rushing up with their heads and part of their bodies above the water, roaring terribly and belching floods of water over me. They struck their jaws together so close to my ears, as almost to stun me, and I expected every moment to be dragged out of the boat and instantly devoured. But I applied my weapons so effectually about me, though at random, that I was so successful as to beat them off a little; when finding that they de

over my head (a valuable substitute for vinegar), I at down and regaled myself cheerfully. Having finished my repast, I rekindled my fire for light, and whilst I was revising the notes of my past day's journey, I was suddenly roused with a noise behind me toward the main land. I sprang up on my feet, and listening, I distinctly heard some creature wading in the water of the isthmus. I seized my gun and went cautiously from my camp, directing ny steps towards the noise: when I had advanced about thirty yards, I halted behind a coppice of orange trees, and soon perceived two very large bears, which had made their way through the water, and had landed in the grove, about one hundred yards' distance from me, and were advancing towards me. I waited until they were within thirty yards of me: they there began to snuff and look towards my cam, I snapped my piece but it flashed, on winch they both turned about and galloped off, plunging through the water and swamp, never halting, as I suppose, until they reached fast land, as I could hear them leaping and plunging a long time. They did not presume to return again, nor was I molested by any other creatures except being occasionally awakened by the whooping of owls, screaming of bitterns, or the wood-rats running amongst the leaves.

EVENING SCENE IN FLORIDA.

We approached the savanna at the south end by a narrow isthmus of level ground, open to the light of day, and clear of trees or bushes, and not greatly elevated above the common level, having on our right a spacious mea low, embellished with a little lake, one verge of which was not very distant from us; its shore is a molerately high, circular bank, partly encircling a cove of the pond, in the form of a half moon; the water is clear and deep, and, at the distance of some hundred yards, was a large floating field (if I may so express myself) of the Nymphæa nelumbo, with their golden blossoms waving to and fro on their lofty stems Beyond these fields of Nymphaea were spacious plains, encompassed by dark groves, opening to extensive pine forests, other plains still appearing beyoad

them.

This little lake and surrounding meadows would have been alone sufficient to surprise and delight the traveller; but being placed so near the great savanna, the attention is quickly drawn off, and wholly engaged in the contemplation of the unlimited, varied, and truly astonishing native wild scenes of landscape and perspective, there exhibited: how is the mind agitated and bewildered, at being thus, as it were, placed on the borders of a new world! On the first view of such an amazing display of the wisdom and power of the supreme author of nature, the mind for a moment seeins suspended, and impressed with awe.

This isthmus being the common avenue or road of Indian travellers, we pitched our camp at a small distance from it, on a rising knoll near the verge of the savanna, under some spreading Live Oaks; this situation was open and airy, and gave us an unbounded prospect over the adjacent plains Dewy evening now came on; the animating breezes, which cooled and tempered the meridian hours of this sultry season, now gently ceased; the glori ous sovereign of the day, calling in his bright beaming emanations, left us in his absence to the milder government and protection of the silver queen of night, attended by millions of brilliant luminaries, The thundering alligator had ended his horrifying roar; the silver plumed gannet and stork, the sage and solitary pelican of the wilderness, had already

retired to their silent nocturnal habitations, in the neighbouring forests; the sonorous savanna cranes, in well-disciplined squadrons, now rising from the earth, mounted aloft in spiral circles, far above the dense atmosphere of the humid plain; they again viewed the glorious sun, and the light of day still gleaming on their polished feathers, they sung their evening hymn, then in a straight line majesti cally descended, and alighted on the towering Palins or lofty Pines, their secure and peaceful lodging places. All around being still and silent, we repaired to rest.

EDWARD BANCROFT.

Or this political writer, who figured in England during the Revolution, we find an account in the Autobiography of John Adams,* from which it appears that he was a native of Massachusetts Bay, in the town of Suffield; that he had been a pupil of Silas Deane, when that negotiator was a schoolmaster; that after "some education" he had been apprenticed to a trade, from which he ran away and went to sea, in debt to his master; that he was successful in his adventures, and returned to his native town to make honorable compensation to his employer: after this that he

66

went to sea again," reappearing in England, where he took up his residence and published his Natural History of Guiana, "a work, considering the advantages of the author, of great merit;" that in addition he wrote in England the History of Sir Charles Wentworth, "a novel which no doubt was recommended to many readers, and procured a considerably better sale, by the plentiful abuse and vilification of Christianity which he had taken care to insert into it;" that "he had also been in the intimacy and confidence of Dr. Franklin, who had recommended him to the editors and proprietors of the Monthly Review, in which his standing share was to review all publications relative to America." Adams adds that he had this latter information from Franklin himself, and says "I understood this very well, as I thought-to wit that Bancroft was the ostensible reviewer, but that Franklin was always consulted before the publication." The other details given by Adains are curious. "Bancroft," he goes on to say from information given by the personage himself, "was a meddler in the stocks as well as reviews, and frequently went into the alley, and into the deepest and darkest retirements and recesses of the brokers and jobbers, Jews as well as Christians, and found amusement as well perhaps as profit, by listening to all the news and anecdotes, true or false, that were there whispered or more boldly pronounced." Bancroft became afterwards "a confidential associate of Franklin in Paris." "He had," continues Adams, "a clear head and a good pen. Ile wrote some things relative to the connection between France and America, with the assistance of Franklin and Deane as I presume, which were translated into French by M. Turgot or the Duke de la Rochefoucauld, I forget which, and printed in a publication called Affaires de l'Angleterre et de l'Amerique, and which were very well done. After the peace he obtained a patent in France for the exclusive importation of the bark of the yellow oak for the

•Works, ill. 141.

dyers, and then he went to England and procured a similar patent there, by both of which together he is said to have realized an income of eight hundred a year."

The work on Guiana alluded to, was published in London in 1769.* It is in the form of letters addressed to his brother from River Demerary, in 1766, and is dedicated to Dr. William Pitcairn, Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in London. Bancroft was a member of this society, as also a Fellow of the Royal Society. In his book are described the wourali poison, and other novelties for that time, of the country. It is a readable account mainly of the savages and animals in a picturesque region. In the same year he published a volume in support of American Colonial Right-, entitled Remarks on the Review of the Controversy between Great Britain and her Colonies, the author of the review in question being William Knox, Under-Secretary of State.

When Bancroft went to Paris, as stated by Adams, it was to meet Deane and render assistance to the American cause. He is also remembered as the authority, with Priestley, for the story of Franklin's having worn the Court suit of "spotted Manchester velvet," in which he was dressed at the Privy Council meeting with Wedderburn, again at the signing of the treaty with France. Bancroft was present at the Privy Council scene, and subsequently gave an account of the whole aflair to William Temple Franklin. His name appears occasionally in the Franklin Correspon

dence.

In 1794, Bancroft published the first volume of a work entitled Experimental Researches concerning the Philosophy of Permanent Colors, and the best means of producing them by dyeing, calico printing, &c., followed by a second in 1813.

He never returned to America. His death occurred in 1821.§

BENJAMIN CHURCH.

BENJAMIN CHURCH was born at Newport, Rhode Island, August 24, 1734. He was the son of a deacon of the same name in Dr. Byles's Church in Boston, and entered the Latin school of that city in 1745. In 1754 he was graduated at Harvard. His first poetical production, The Choice, a poe:n, after the manner of Mr. Pomfret, by a young Gentleman, was composed while he was at col

An Essay on the Natural History of Guiana in South Ame rica, containing a description of many curious Productions in the Animal and Vegetable Systems of that Country. Together with an Account of the Religion, Manners, and Customs, of Beveral tribes of its ludian inhabitants, interspersed with a variety of Literary and Medical Observations; in several letters from a gentleinan of the Medical Faculty during his resi dence in that country. London: Becket. 1769. 8vo. pp. 402. Remarks on the Review of the Controversy between Great Britain and her Colonies, in which the Errors of its Author are exposed, and the Claims of the Colonies vindicated, upon the evidence of Historical Facts and authentic records, to which is subjoined a proposal for terminating the present unhappy dispute with the Colonies; recovering their Commerce; reconcillating their Affection; securing their rights; and establishing their dependence on a just and permanent basts Humbly submitted to the consideration of the British Legislature. By Edward Bancroft.

Consilia qui dant prava cantis hominibus, Et perdunt operain et deridentur turpiter. Phad. Fab. xxv. London: Printed in the year 1769. New-London, in New Eng land: Reprinted and Sold by T. Green. 1771. 8vo. pp. 180 Spark's Franklin, iv. 458

| Rose, Blog. Dict

lege. It is smoothly written, and among the best of the many imitations of that pleasant castle in the air.

In this poem the author warms with his favor ite tastes in books, for rural and domestic life. In the first he shows his attachment to the ruling poet of the day, “unequalled Pope." His choice in a wife and a country-seat is to be commended. With Freneau he has the honor of helping Campbell with a line and an idea. Noticing the physician Boerhaave, he writes of his death —

At length, fatigu'd with life, he bravely fell,

And Health, with Boerhaave, bade the world farewell;

which will recall the lines in the Pleasures of Hope, written nearly half a century later, where Hope for a season bade the world farewell, And Freedom shriek'd as Kosciusko fell The coincidence is creditable to Benjamin Church at the age of eighteen.

He appears to have next studied medicine in London, and while in England married Miss Hannah Hill of Ross (Pope's Ross). He returned to Boston, where he established himself in the practice of his profession. He contributed one or two English poems to the Pietas et Gratulatio, a volume of congratulatory verses in Latin, Greek, and English, addressed to George III. on his accession, by members of Harvard College. In 1765 he published The Times, a poem by an American, in an anonymous pamphlet of sixteen pages. It was written soon after the passage of the stamp act, and its satire is chiefly directed against that measure and its abettors. In 1766 he wrote an Elegy on the death of Dr. Mayhew, which is characterized by much more than the ordinary vigor sufficient for such productions. His introduction invoking the spirit of truth over the ashes of the dead, has such lines as these:

Great is the task and glorious is the end, When the chaste Muse in Virtue's cause engage; Tis her's to patronize, protect, defend, And hold th' exemplars to a distant age. Deep into times rolled by-to dart her ken, At the tribunal of her lowly mind, Tarraign the conduct of the mightiest men, Acquit, or doom the Nimrods of mankind: and in 1769 An Address to a Provincial Bashaw. By a Son of Liberty. Printed in (the Tyrannic Administration of St. Francisco*) 1769. Like The Times, it is full of the warinest expressions of sympathy with the popular cause, of which the author was now one of the recognised leaders. In 1770 he examined the body of Crispus Attucks, the mulatto slain in the Boston massacre, and his deposition appears in the narrative published by the town. In 1773 he delivered an oration on the fourth anniversary of the contest in the Old South church, which was so densely crowded that the orator and moderator of the meeting, John Hancock, had to be introduced through a window. Public expectation was not disap pointed, the address being received with "univer