224 Gbe (Barfcen 



went forward ; one beauty attained led him to 

 wish for some other : but he still hoped that 

 every emendation would be the last. It was 

 now, therefore, found that the improvement ex- 

 ceeded the subsidy, that the place was grown too 

 large and too fine for the inhabitant. But that 

 pride which was once exhibited could not retire : 

 the garden was made for the owner, and though 

 it was become unfit for him, he could not will- 

 ingly resign it to another. Thus the first idea 

 of its beauties contributing to the happiness of 

 his life was found unfaithful ; so that, instead 

 of looking within for satisfaction, he began to 

 think of having recourse to the praises of those 

 who came to visit his improvement. 



' 'In consequence of this hope, which now 

 took possession of his mind, the gardens were 

 opened to the visits of every stranger ; and the 

 country flocked round to walk, to criticise, to 

 admire, and to do mischief. He soon found 

 that the admirers of his taste left by no means 

 such strong marks of their applause as the 

 envious did of their malignity. All the win- 

 dows of his temples, and the walls of his re- 

 treats, were impressed with the characters of 

 profaneness, ignorance, and obscenity ; his 

 hedges were broken, his statues and urns de- 

 faced, and his lawns worn bare. It was now, 

 therefore, necessary to shut up the gardens 



