REMARKS ON THE SHRUBBERY. 31 



Though flowering shrubs seem to contribute nothing to pot- 

 tage, and little to Medicine in its present refined state, yet they 

 add greatly to our pleasure, and considerably to our health. 



They win us to good humour by their fragrance and cheerful 

 appearance, and produce a serenity of mind by the calm reflec- 

 tions they present to it ; thus relieving some of the maladieB of 

 the soul, as drugs mitigate the grosser and more fc perce ptible 

 sufferings of the body. 



" The spleen is seldom felt where Flora reigns, 

 The low'ring eye the petulance, the frown, 

 And sullen sadness, that o'ershade, distort, 

 And mar the face of beauty, when no cause 

 For such immeasurable woe appears : 

 These Flora banishes, and gives the fair 

 Sweet smiles and bloom., ess transient than her own.'* 



Cowpeb. 



I shall notice the allegorical allusions, which the" eastern 

 nations are accustomed to make by means of flowers, and the 

 fables of the ancient poets and mytholigists respecting plants. 

 Thus pleasing ideas may be connected with pleasing objects, and 

 agreeable images convey lively hut moral sentiments to the 

 mind, adding to the charms of the country without recourse 

 to romance or useless fiction. These accustom the mind 

 to such violent sentations, that at last it is obliged to resort 

 to an excess of feeling, either of mirth or grief, to prevent 

 that dreaded fashionable lethargy of spirit— ennui, Such a ha- 

 bit^in the end injures health and consequently shortens life, but 

 a calm and cheerful mind assists in the prolongation and enjoy- 

 ment of both : 



" Come then ye blissful scenes, ye soft retreats. 



Where life flows pure, the heart more calmly beats." 



Deulle. 



It would seem, that the more terrible a sight, and the more 

 violent an impression, the more agreeable to the great portion 

 of mankind, who run with avidity after objects of horror, whilst 

 they pass unnoticed those which produce gentle and agreeable 

 sensations , and would to all appearance rather tremble at the 

 awful thunderbolt of Jupiter, than calmly admire the beauteous 

 horn of plenty. It has been observed that the Volcano near 

 Naples attracts more travellers to the city, than the delicious 



