12 THE CHRONICLES OF A GARDEN. 



scriptural allusions will occur to our minds, and new 

 illustrations will be found to add another to tlie many 

 pleasures of such occupation. 



Among the indirect pleasures of gardening may fairly 

 be placed those derived from studying the nature and pro- 

 perties of our favourite plants and flowers, A knowledge 

 of botany may not be necessary for a gardener ; but as I 

 am endeavouring to set forth the enjoyments that are 



" Spread through the earth 

 In stray gifts, to be claim'd by whoever shall find," 



I must include the acquisition of some knowledge about 

 the structure and modes of growth of plants as giving a 

 great additional zest to their culture. Even the very weeds 

 become interesting when understood to be only " plants out 

 of place ;" so whether it be botany that leads to gardening, 

 or gardening that leads to botany, certain it is, that in 

 either case benefit and enjoyment will be doubled by the 

 student becoming a workman, and the workman a student. 

 We may fitly conclude this chapter by applying the 

 words spoken by Sir Henry Wotton, in praise of anghng, 

 to the pursuit and practice of gardening : — " It was an 

 employment for his idle time, which was then not idly 

 spent ; for it was, after tedious study, a rest to his mind, a 

 cheerer of his spirits, a diverter of sadness, a calmer of un- 

 quiet thoughts, a moderator of passions, a procurer of con- 

 tentedness ; it begat habits of peace and patience in those 

 that professed and practised it." 



