Gardens and Names and Bedhangings

In the latest issue of Early American Life is an article by once-and-future ICJS fellow Andrea Wulf, "The Brother Gardeners," described thusly: A mutual love of plants drew American John Bartram and Englishman Peter Collinson into a long-term partnership that changed the face of European gardening. (I assume this is a very-much condensed overview of Andrea's book of the same name.)

Also possibly of interest in this issue: "Naming Their Babies," by Amy Poole - which I was very much hoping had some examples of entertaining Puritan names like Constitutionality Brown or Lord-Smite-Me-Now Samuels - unfortunately on my quick scan I don't see any in there.

"A Most Valuable Accessory," by Janet Cass - about bedhangings in colonial America. There's some mention of George Washington's home and James Madison's, although I don't see Monticello. We actually just re-did the South Pavilion with new upholstery and yes, new bedhangings.

Early American Life, alas, is not available online for those of you who are not near us or dont' happen to be subscribers yourself. But you can buy single issues on their website for $5, or locate a library that has a copy.