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GARDEN PLAN. 



Gardening was the occupation of Adam 

 and Eve before sin entered the world — " The 

 Lord God planted a garden in Eden." — Into 

 this garden our first parents were introduced 

 " to dress it" and "keep it." But it is to be 

 regretted that by means of a fruit, man's 

 fall was accomplished, and in a grove of 

 trees, he first hid from an offended God. 

 His first garments (necessitated by sin) were 

 of fig-leaves. 



However, we see that sinless beings could 

 derive pleasure from the cultivation of plants 



Cannot, indeed, to guilty man restore 

 Lost innocence, or cancel follies past; 

 But it has peace, and much secures the mind 

 From all assaults of evil." 



In planning a garden, the proverb, " It is 

 art to conceal art," must in many respects 

 be considered a false one. Neil is much 

 nearer the mark, when he says " our art lies 

 in endeavotiring to adapt the ]>roductions oj 

 nature to human taste and perception, and if 

 much art be used, do not attempt to hide 

 it: — 



s 



— although thorns and thistles are the results 

 of the Fall, still much happiness is yet de- 

 rivable from a garden. " I cannot but think," 

 says Addison, " the very complacency and 

 satisfaction which a man takes in these 

 works of nature, to be a laudable, if not a 

 virtuous habit of mind." 



"Oh bless'd seclusion from a jarring world, 

 Which he thus occupied, enjoys ! Retreat 



"Yet just arrangement, rarely brought to pass, 



But by a Master's hand, disposing well 



Tho ?ay diversities of leaf and flower, 



Must lend its aid t' illustrate all their charms, 



And dress the regular, yet varied scene." 



The accompanying arrangement is not given 

 as a specimen garden plan, but it has been 

 arrived at by successive alterations, and its 

 advantages appreciated by many ; it may, 

 therefore, convey useful hints to those who 



