OBSERVATIONS ON THE PLEASURE GARDEN. 251 



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 gardens which adorn the shores of that region. 

 The plains of Greece, overspread with ruins, would entice many to 

 undertake a voyage to a distant country who would feel but little 

 inclined to travel over their native soil to view its richly-cultivated 

 lawns ; and there is no doubt but that, formerly, where one person 

 went to Egypt, to be a witness of Nature's bounty to that nation, five 

 hundred became travellers to behold pyramids. A temple, after its 

 fall, excites more eager curiosity than it did during its construction ; 

 and many, who will not cross their thresholds to look at a beautiful 

 culm in nature, will rush to get a sight of a storm and shipwreck in 

 a playhouse. This love of the terrific is not, as has been asserted by 

 foreigners, peculiar to the English nation ; it is prevalent everywhere. 

 The author observed an instance of it when in Paris, in the summer 

 of 1822. Wishing to visit the celebrated garden of M. Bourseau, 

 unequalled for the beauty of its plants by any city garden in Europe, 

 he received, in answer to all inquiries for direction to the spot, the 

 usual careless, but short and decisive, Je tie le connois pas, monsieur ; 

 but, on asking the way to La Mort, every turn and alley were readily 

 pointed out with all the bustle and officiousness of French politeness. 

 " In this history of flowering trees and shrubs there is nothing 

 terrible to present to the reader; but every endeavour has been 

 used to 



" ' Show nature's form in smiling beauty drest, 



Aud call mankind to view her, and be blest.' — Delii.le. 



" It seems hardly possible for any mind to be so debased as to be 

 insensible to the effects of nature, whose vegetable charms become 

 more endeared to us as our age and reflection increase. A more 

 delightful cabinet of natural history can scarcely be formed than the 

 shrubbery affords, even when unadorned with exotic beauties. It 

 offers matter for contemplation of the most agreeable kind, which 

 varies still as seasons revolve ; and, as every tree and shrub has its 

 peculiar inhabitants, we have at the same time a collection of animal 

 and vegetable wonders that are sufficient to occupy all the leisure 



