192 BRITISH PHYSICIANS. of minerals was more rare than extensive ; and the gratitude of his numerous friends had supplied him with many curious specimens of the animal world. He afforded employment to many artists, in directing the dehneation of various productions of Nature, which were too hulky to transport, or too perishable to preserve : twelve hundred of such drawings are said to have been in his possession, and were purchased, at his death, for the Empress of Russia, at the price of 2300Z. His collection of natural history was purchased, on his decease, by the eminent Dr. William Hunter, and is, pro- bably, at this moment, to be found, in part, in the museum which that distinguished physician bequeathed to the University of Glasgow, after having vainly solicited the Ministers of the time to enable him to establish one in London. He maintained a frequent correspondence with North America, where his father and brother had spent many years in the service of religion. Se- veral famihes are said to have even crossed the Atlantic, with a view of placing themselves under his care. He earnestly laboured to promote the improvement of rural economy and of commerce in that part of the world. In conjunction with his friend, Peter Collinson (a name upon which we should be glad to dwell more at length), he encou- raged the cultivation of the vine there ; and still more usefully strove, with others, to abohsli the slave-trade among his own brethren — an object which they at length had the happiness to accom- phsh. Charity was the predominant feature in Fother- gill's character ; that beautiful quality which many
