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For the foregoing very imperfect sketch of his life I ara 

 indebted solely to accidental notices contained in his own 

 works. It is an instance of the partiality of fame, that of this 

 Horticulturist no contemporary authors make mention, whilst 

 of Bradley and others, infinitely his inferiors in every point 

 we have full particulars. This neglect, and even persecutioa 

 attended him through life. It appears from his own 

 account in 1731, that some "great man some years deceased, 

 charged him with not finishing his work, and embezzling seve- 

 ral hundred pounds, the falsity of which is visible and speaks 

 for itself." His brother seedsmen also opposed him with 

 considerable acrimony because he was not bred to that trade, 

 but as a Gardener. Neglect has pursued him beyond the 

 grave, for his works are seldom mentioned or quoted as author- 

 ities of the ago he lived in. To me he appears to be the best 

 author of his time, and if I was called upon to point out the 

 Classic Authors of Gardening, Switzer should be one of the 

 first on whom I woidd lay my finger. His works evidence him 

 at once to have been a sound practical Horticulturist, a man 

 well versed in the Botanical Science of the day, in its most en- 

 larged sense ; of considerable classical and literary attainments, 

 and above all a religious character; they completely warrant 

 us in receiving as correct the modest notice he takes of himself 

 in the preface to the first volume of his " IcnographiaRustica." 

 " I hope, he says, I shall not be altogether unlit for this work, 

 by the happiness I have had in an education none of the mean- 

 est for one of my profession, and of having a considerable share 

 in all parts of the greatest works of tl.is kingdoni, and under 

 the greatest masters ; and even that which some may probably 

 reckon otherwise, I mean some small revolutions and meaness 

 of Fortune, as it has sometimes thrown me upon the greatest 

 slavery, so it has at other times amongst the best men and 

 books ; by which means, and I hope an allowable industry and 

 ambition and an eager desire of being acquainted with all 

 part* of this nation, as well as the usefulparts of Garde;:ing, I 



