Untrofcuctfon 



quity, as the " Gentle Isaak " so naively says 

 of his milkmaid's songs : 



" They were old-fashioned poetry, but 

 choicely good. I think much better than that 

 now in fashion in this critical age." 



When our contemporaries shall be ancient 

 enough to have acquired this classical flavor,, 

 the collector of garden literature will find a 

 rich store in this generation, and among his 

 choicest selections he will doubtless preserve 

 that delightful little book of the late Mrs. 

 Ewing, "Mary's Meadow, and Letters from a 

 Little Garden." 



But whatever may be said of what is not 

 contained herein, it is hoped that what is may 

 be found to be " choicely good." 



Here we may tread the stately alleys and 

 classic shades of the " Villa Lauren tina " with 

 the younger Pliny, or enjoy the more splendid 

 though less costly creation of Lord Bacon's im- 

 agination, with its squares on squares, parterres, 

 and mysterious labyrinths, glowing with flowers, 

 and rich with the luscious fruits which he so 

 bountifully provides for every month in the year. 



