OLIVER GOLDSMITH 189 



were seen in the most hideous attitudes, to deter the spectator 

 from approaching ; and the perspective view that lay behind 

 seemed dark and gloomy to the last degree; the stranger was 

 tempted to enter only from the motto : Pervia Virtuti. 



The opposite gate was formed in a very different manner ; 

 the architecture was light, elegant and inviting ; flowers hung 

 in wreaths round the pillars ; all was finished in the most exact 

 and masterly manner ; the very stone of which it was built still 

 preserved its polish ; nymphs wrought by the hand of a master, 

 in the most alluring attitudes, beckoned the stranger to approach, 

 while all that lay behind as far as the eye could reach, seemed 

 gay, luxuriant, and capable of affordmg endless pleasure. The 

 motto itself contributed to invite him ; for over the gate was 

 written these words, Facilis Descensus. — The Citizen of the 

 World. 



I was led into this train of thinking upon lately visiting the 

 beautiful gardens of the late Mr Shenstone,^ who was himself a 

 poet, and possessed of that warm imagination, which made him 

 ever foremost in the pursuit of flying happiness. Could he but 

 have foreseen the end of all his schemes, for whom he was 

 improving, and what changes his designs were to undergo, he 

 would have scarcely amused his innocent life with what, for 

 several years, employed him in a most harmless manner, and 

 abridged his scanty fortune. As the progress of this improve- 

 ment is a true picture of sublunary vicissitude, I could not help 

 calling up my imagination, which, while I walked pensively along, 

 suggested the following reverie. 



As I was turning my back upon a beautiful piece of water, 

 enlivened with cascades, and rock-work, and entering a dark 

 walk, by which ran a prattling brook, the Genius of the place 

 appeared before me, but more resembling the God of Time, than 

 him more peculiarly appointed to the care of gardens. Instead 

 of shears, he bore a scythe; and he appeared rather with the 

 implements of husbandry, than those of a modern gardener. 



^ At the Leasowes. 



