21 



from Milton having dedicated his Tractate on Education 

 to him, and from his having, in this tract, painted with affec- 

 tion, and with warm and high colours, the character of 

 Mr. Hartlib.* 



Dr. John Beale, author of that celebrated little tract, 

 the " Herefordshire Orchards, a pattern for the whole of 

 England." London 1657, 12mo.; 1724, 8vo. Headdresses 

 this to Mr. Hartlib, and thus commences it: — " Your indus- 

 trious endeavours for the benefit of all men, and particularly 

 for the good of this nation, hath well deserved the grateful 

 acknowledgement of all good men, and of my self in special; 

 for that in my rural retirement I have received some profit, 

 and very much innocent and refreshing delights in the perusal 

 of those treatises, which are by your diligent hand communi- 

 cated to the publick." He thus affectionately concludes it: — 

 " I briefly hint unto you what esteem we do truly owe unto 

 your labours. I pray the Lord to remember your diligence 

 in the great day of his appearance in glory. Your hearty 

 well- wisher." In vol. 6 of the works of the Honourable 

 Robert Boyle, are many letters from Dr. Beale. That 

 dated Oct. 26, strongly paints his attachment to the fruits of 

 Herefordshire, or whatever may tend to the benefit of that 

 his native county. Mr. Boyle says of him, " There is not 



* " Mr. Hartlib (says Worlidge) tells you of the benefits of orchard 

 fruits, that they afford curious walks for pleasure, food for cattle in the 

 spring, summer, and winter, (meaning under their shadow,) fewel for the 

 fire, shade for the heat, physick for the sick, refreshment for the sound, 

 plenty of food for man, and that not of the worst, and drink also of 

 the best." 



Milton also in the above Tractate thus speaks: — " In those vernal seasons 

 of the year, when the air is calm and pleasant, it were an injury and sullen- 

 ness against nature, not to go out and see her riches, and partake in her re- 

 joicing with heaven and earth. 



