istic. By this discovery many things, hitherto dif ficult of explanation, are elucidated. We can no longer wonder at the prohibition of these beans to the Egyptian priests or the disciples of Pythagoras. A plant consecrated to religious veneration as an emblem of reproduction and fertility, would be very improper for the food, or even the consideration, of persons dedicated to peculiar purity. The Egyptian priests were not allowed even to look upon it. Authors scarcely explain sufficiently whether Pythagoras avoided it from respect or abhorrence. However that might be, we need not, in order to ascertain his motives, have recourse to any of the five reasons supposed by Aristotle, nor to the conjectures of Cicero. Neither can there be any doubt that the prohibition given by Pythagoras was literal; and not merely allegorical, as forbidding his followers to eat this kind of pulse because the magistrates in some places were chosen by a ballot with black and white beans, thereby giving them to understand that they should not meddle with public affairs. Such far-fetched explanations show the ingenuity of commentators rather than their knowledge. As the Pythagorean prohibitions are now obsolete, perhaps these beans, imported from India, might not be unwelcome at our tables. The root of the Cyamus is also used as food, but we have many vegetables preferable to it." In some unfinished notes upon the subject of monumental inscriptions, which Sir James Smith left, he speaks of the elegant memorial of Pope Urban in the Augustine church at Rome. to tison URBANO VII. PONT. MAX. * vero, adta a t brevis imperii principi, sed memoriæ diuturnæ. Illud Fortunæ fuerit; hoc erit Virtutis. Which he has thus rendered, observing, "It is not easy to retain its conciseness in a translation:" TO POPE URBAN VII. a prince whose reign was short, but whose memory will be lasting. The former Fortune might controul; but the latter his Virtues will command. "The intelligent friend," he continues, "who first pointed out to me this inscription, is himself the author of one not inferior to it in simplicity. The ashes of HENRY FIELDING, an Englishman, 2 This intended tribute to our admirable historian of human nature proved abortive. The virtues, the *The Abbé Corrêa. taste, the liberality, and even the illustrious rank of the Duke of Lafoens (John de Braganza), uncle to the Queen of Portugal, had no weight against monkish fanaticism, which would by no means connive at such a compliment to a heretic; and the monument was never executed." Sir James was himself the author of several inscriptions prompted by affection for departed worth; -one only shall appear in this place. Its excellence consists in its being perfectly just and appropriate. In memory of Mr. JAMES DICKSON, one of the original Fellows of and a Vice-President of the Horticultural Society of London; whose singular acuteness and accuracy, in the 85th year of his age. CHAPTER XII. Miscellaneous Letters to and from Sir J. E. Smith, from 1817 to 1827.-Sir Thomas Gage.-Hon. DeWitt Clinton.—Rev. R. Walpole.-Sir J. E. Smith.-Dr. Wallich.-Sir T. Gage.Sir T. G. Cullum.—Sir T. Frankland.-Panzer.-Rev. J. Yates.-D. Turner, Esq.-Mr. Sinclair.-Professor Hooker. -Bergsma.-Mr. Lambert.-Mr. Talbot. From Sir Thomas Gage*. Florence, Casa Dini Borgo Santa Croce, My dear Sir James, I HAVE for a very long time had in my possession the books from Mr. Targioni, which I have at last * Of Hengrave Hall in the county of Suffolk, Bart. Sir Thomas Gage died at Rome on the 27th of December, 1820, in the 40th year of his age, and was buried there in the chiesa del Gesù. "Enthusiasm and delicacy distinguished his character, and were blended in a manner as happy as unusual. Had these been supported by strong health, there was no perfection in art or science to which he would not have been capable of attaining. His tastes and pursuits were all elegant. Whatever he said or did was eminently marked by gentlemanly feelings. It was both from nature and from cultivation, and scarcely less from cultivation than from nature, that he possessed a tact, which, while it was essential to the pursuit of botany, his favourite science, rendered him tremblingly alive to the beauties of art and the more sublime charms of creation. In the more abstruse parts of the vegetable world he had laboured hard, by the lamp as well as the sun; studying the works of his predecessors in his closet, and exploring the objects themselves in the fields."-History and Antiquities of Hengrave. found the opportunity of sending by a friend;chances of this sort are rare, and I would not trust them to the merchants, having myself lost a packet by this means. I ought also long since to have written to you; but the account I could have given of myself, till within these few months, was such that it would neither have given pleasure to my friends nor myself. I am happy now to be able to say, that I have escaped from a very serious state of ill health; and am far better than when I last had the pleasure of seeing you. I have not neglected my botanical pursuits, and have made great additions, particularly to my Cryp togamia. I have collected everything of that kind I could meet with here, and have purchased a very fine collection, particularly of Lichens, from Schleicher of Bex, whose list I send you. His price is so moderate and his specimens so good, that, should you or any botanical friend desire to have anything from him, I would readily undertake to procure it. He sends me constantly specimens as well to purchase as to determine; and I am much advanced in my drawing to illustrate Acharius. The present state of botany at Florence is respectable, but not much encouraged. The Grand Duke is fond of plants, and has lately purchased a copy of English" Botany; and I believe some other works, of which I furnished a list. He has built a fine range ge of stoves and houses in the Boboli garden, where many good plants are cultivated, though it cannot be considered a regular botanical garden, the best plants M |