( '9 ) 



bough in the moft luxuriant, and romantic 

 abundance*. 



Among the moft beautiful appendages of 

 this hanging kind, which we have in England, 

 is the hop. In cultivation it is difagreeable : 

 but in it's rude natural ftate twifting carelefsly 

 round the branches of trees, I know not whe- 

 ther it is not as beautiful as the vine. It's leaf 

 is fimilar ; and tho the bunches of hop, beau- 

 tiful as they are, and fragrant, are not equal 

 to the clufters of the vine ; yet it is a more 

 accommodating plant, hangs more loofely, and 

 is lefs extravagant in it's growth. 



In artificial landfcape indeed, where the fub- 

 jedr. is fublime, thefe appendages are of little 

 value. Such trifling ornaments the fcene re- 

 jects. The rough oak, in the dignity of it's 

 limple form, adorns the foreground better* 

 But in feftive, or Bacchanalian fubjefts (if 

 fuch fubje&s are ever proper for defcription) 

 when the fportive nymphs, and fatyrs take their 

 repofe at noon, or gambol in . the made of 

 evening, nothing can more beautifully adorn 

 their retreat, or more chara&eriftically mark it, 



* Smollet's Travels, vol. ii, page 46: 



C 2 than 



