INTRODUCTION. \\\ii 



public plantations, together witli the erection 

 of statues or images, were forbidden by the 

 laws of the country. 



The Mahometan faith teaches the followers 

 of the Prophet to believe that the blessings of 

 a future state consist in dwelling- in delightful*, 

 gardens. The Koran expressly says, " Who- 

 soever doth good works, either man or woman, 

 and believeth, shall enter into Paradise. They 

 shall enter gardens of pleasure, together with 

 those of their fathers or wives that have done 

 good."— Surat XL v. 43, XIV. v. 95. 



The situation of Damascus, with its gar- 

 dens and groves, is esteemed particularly de- 

 lightful ; and Mahomet looking down from an 

 elevated spot upon that beautiful city, is said 

 to have declared that it was the lot of no man 

 to enjoy two Paradises, and that he should 

 abstain from entering the terrestrial lest he 

 should lose the celestial. 



Before we proceed to speak on the forma- 

 tion and planting of flower-gardens in ge- 

 neral, we shall notice some of the advantages 

 which are derived from a fondness for this 

 pursuit. First, it attaches men to their homes, 



C 2 



