JOURNAL OF RURAL ART AND RURAL TASTE. 



llurnl 'Msk nut its 3'iliij5inn. 



TTIHE cultivation of the beautiful in Nature has been rightly considered an importat ele- 

 A ment in culture. The abstract, philosophical considerations, which render the aesthe- 

 tic purifying and elevating in its influence, are not the subject matter of this article. We 

 seek to appropriate what is valuable and pleasing in the lessons which Nature, both in her 

 simple and artistic forms — in all her varied aspects — teaches us, without inquiring into the 

 peculiar constitution of the mind, which appreciates and craves the beautiful. We wish 

 to cherish the memory of that great master spirit of Rural Taste, by carrying on the mis- 

 sion which it is his glorj- to have planted, which it was his ambition to spread in forms of 

 beauty far and wide, and thus to blend the sad funereal tones with the joyous notes of 

 hope and promise which Downing drew from the inspiration of nature. We hope to 

 catch some of the echoes of his voice, which, like those of Teiin3'sou's sweet song — 



" die ill yon rich sky. 

 They faiiil on hill, on field, on river, 

 And grow (brever and forever.'' 



Rural Taste is an ancient art, dating its origin back to the verj- infanc}' of the earth, 

 when man was placed in tlie gaiden planted by the hand of God, " to dress and keep it." 

 In all ages, and under all governments, this art has been fostered as the handmaid of pros- 

 perit}', the purest form of beaut}', and the fitting type of that repose and peacefulness 

 which religion and philosophy assume to be the legitimate inheritance of man. Royal 

 munificence has been lavished on it, and the poor cottager has sought in its simple forms, 

 his dearest pleasure. To excel in it has been the ambition of princes, and the pride of 

 the governed. The far-famed hanging gardens of Babylon, and the Academic Groves 

 where sages taught their lessons, attest this, the earliest, the most universal of arts. But 

 for all its antiquity, Rural Taste has not grown old more than nature herself. Time-ho- 

 nored, still rejoicing in immortal youth, this art continues to rear its grand architectural 

 monuments, to spread out its pleasing landscapes, and re-produce itself in fresh beauty 

 to win our love. Being most nearly allied to nature, it has a language for every one, and 

 with its soft, mellow voice, whispers something congenial to every heart. Wherever there 

 eye to ob.serve, a mind to reflect, and the taste to ajjpreciate, does admiration 

 ful, in distinction from the useful, spring up. 



Oct. 1; 1852, 



No. X. 



