THE PLEASURES OF WORK. 11 



some; but even this, when performed on a bed of seed- 

 lings, becomes interesting ; probably because more care 

 has to be taken, and because one feels as if the tin}^ plants 

 must feel it a relief to be set free from these encroaching 

 and overshadowing neighbours. 



" 'Tis my faith that every flower 

 Enjoys the air it breathes." 



The pleasure that there is in the actual, practical work 

 of a garden, must be tried before it can be understood. 

 Likhig for it will grow by exercise, even when not felt 

 naturally ; for of this healthy enjoyment may be said, what 

 is generally remarked of more doubtful pleasures, that " it 

 only needs a beginning. '^ 



Next to working oneself comes the pleasure of watching 

 the work of others. Any alteration that needs the labour 

 of more skilled hands than our own, but which has been 

 planned out by ourselves, gives daily satisfaction while 

 watching its progress, whether it be a new walk (jpen- 

 ing out, turf laying down, a fence putting up, a rookery 

 building, or new beds and borders being dug ; any, in 

 short, of the changes that may be made in the smallest 

 domain, the doing of the work, and the seeing of it done, 

 give often more pleasure than the completest performance. 

 I must class also among "the pleasures of work," of this 

 work at least, that it generally leaves the mind free for 

 pleasant and profitable thought ; indeed, it suggests such. 

 There are many similes, analogies, and styles to be ob- 

 served in all natural objects ; and either while planting 

 and rearing, or cutting down and casting away, many 



