34 



Another Avellana afterwards came into notice in the north 

 of England. Other fruits as the Pear, Damson, &c. being 

 known by names evidently derived from the Roman appella- 

 tions, we, on the other hand, are induced to consider as being 

 introduced to the Britons from Italy. The same observation 

 may apply to the Rose, Violet and other inhabitants of the 

 flower garden, of which there is little doubt the Britons wer» 

 ignorant before their introduction by the Romans. Th» 

 Kitchen Garden is similarly indebted for most, though not all, 

 of its inhabitants. The Cabbage or Kale tribe is an example 

 of the exceptions. 



Of the Roman Pleasure Grounds, during the decline of the 

 Empire we have the most ample accoimts. Highly polished as 

 were the citizens of the then Mistress of the World, it was in 

 this department of Horticulture their luxury and taste was 

 displayed, and the most poetical subject here proffered itself to 

 the pen of the Historian and man of Letters. To the Briton, 

 just emerging from his barbarism, that which was most useful 

 seemed most worthy of attention, hence the Fruit Garden 

 became his first particular care, and it is of this, in the earliest 

 periods of which records exists, that we have the most parti- 

 cular, though at the same time scanty notice. 



Tacitus informs us that all Fruit Trees succeeded in Britain, 

 but the Olive and Vine, and such others as require a warmer 

 climate, for although Vegetables were quick in shooting up, 

 yet the moisture of the Atmosphere rendered them slow in 

 arriving at maturity.* It is evident from this cursory remark 

 that the Romans began immediately their endeavours to improve 

 the place of their settlement even before they had penetrated 

 into the southern and more mild districts of the Island; or 

 before its climate could be ameliorated by the removal of exu- 

 berant forests, and accompanying marshes, the never failing 



* Vit4 Agric. c, xiv. 



