SECT. I, GARDENING. 7 



it more particularly, were the inclination of my youth 

 itfelf, To they are the pleafures of my age. 



Le Pluche juftly aliens, — Of all the employments 

 in life, none is more firnple, natural, and entertaining, 

 than the cultivation ot plants. 



Vifgihvt old, defcribes the happinefs of a cultivator 

 of the ground in gardening and planting, as equalling 

 all tire opulence or* kings, in the eafe, content, and 

 freedom of his mind. This is one of the mod allured 

 truths ; and happy are they who are free from the en- 

 tanglements of artificial life, and not oyer-burthened 

 with honour and greatnefs. 



Gardening leads to planting and farming, of which, 

 collectively, Mr. Cowley prettily fpeaks.— -It is one of 

 the belt natured delights of all others, for a man to 

 look about him, and fee nothing but the effects and 

 improvements of his own art and diligence ; to be al- 

 ways gathering of fome fruits of it, and at the fame 

 time to behold others xipening, and others budding; 

 to fee all his fields and gardens covered with the beau- 

 teous creatures of his own induflry ; and to fee, like 

 God, that all his works are good. 



Of a country life in general, Mr. C. fays, " We are 

 here among the vaft and noble fcenes of nature ; where 

 we walk in the light and open ways of the divine 

 bounty, and where our fenfes are feailed with the clear 

 and genuine tafle of their objecls." 



B 4 SECTION 



