The book ends in a delightfully irrelevant fashion with a poem on an
Indian squaw, introduced as follows:--"Now, gentle Reader, having
trespassed upon your patience a long while in the perusing of these
rude Observations, I shall, to make you amends, present you by way of
Divertisement, or Recreation, with a Copy of Verses on the Indian Squa
or Female Indian trick'd up in all her bravery."
* * * * *
_The American Physitian; or a Treatise of the Roots, Plants, Trees,
Shrubs, Fruit, Herbs, etc., growing in the English Plantations in
America_,[87] has, as its name implies, more of a medical character
than the older books. In his preface the writer, William Hughes, tells
us:--"'Tis likely some may say need we trouble ourselves with those
things we cannot reach? To such I answer, that the most part of them
here mentioned which grow not in England already are brought over
daily and made use of.... I suppose there are few but would gladly
know that there are such things in the world, although scarcely any
which care or desire to go to see them; I hope this Description which
is as right to truth as I could possibly draw it, if my eyesight
failed me not, may be acceptable, although it be far short of what I
intended; it being my desire to have made it more compleat by one more
voyage into those parts of the World, in which my endeavours should
not have been found wanting for the bringing and fitting of Roots,
Seeds and other Vegetables to our climate, for, to increase the number
of Rarities which we have here in our Garden already; in the which I
perceive much may be done, if further industry were used, but I have
yet met with no opportunity to accomplish the same; and therefore hope
that some others who have conveniency will do something herein for the
promotion of further knowledge in these and many other excellent
things which those parts afford, and we are yet unacquainted with. And
whosoever is offended at this that I have here written, may let it
alone; it forceth none to meddle with it: I know the best things
displease some, neither was there ever any man yet that could please
all people: but in hurting none, possibly I may please some; for whom
only it is intended."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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