216 THE NATURAL HISTORY [LETT 



proficients in mechanics, gardening, and architecture. 1 The 

 barons neglected every pursuit that did not lead to war or tend 

 to the pleasure of the chase. 



It was not till gentlemen took up the study of horticulture 

 themselves that the knowledge of gardening made such hasty 

 advances. Lord Cobham, Lord Ila, and Mr. Waller of Beacons- 

 field, were some of the first people of rank that promoted the 

 elegant science of ornamenting without despising the superin- 

 tendence of the kitchen quarters and fruit walls. 



A remark made by the excellent Mr. Eay in his Tour of 

 Europe at once surprises us, and corroborates what has been 

 advanced above ; for we find him observing, so late as his days, 

 that " the Italians use several herbs for sallets, which are not 

 yet or have not been but lately used in England, viz. selleri 

 (celery), which is nothing else but the sweet smallage ; the 

 young shoots whereof, with a little of the head of the root cut 

 off, they eat raw with oil and pepper." And farther he adds, 

 " curled endive blanched is much used beyond seas ; and, for a 

 raw sallet, seemed to excel lettuce itself." Now this journey 

 was undertaken no longer ago than in the year 1663. 



SELBORNE, Jan. 8, 1778. 



1 Dalryinple's " Annals of Scotland." 



WOODCHATJI E(i<i. 



