40 THE DELIGHTS OF GARDENS 



overgrown with willows, or a mountain shaded with 

 oaks, are not only more beautiful, but more beneficial, 

 than when they lie bare and unadorned. Fields of 

 corn make a pleasant prospect ; and if the walks 

 were a little taken care of that lie between them, 

 if the natural embroidery of the meadows were 

 helped and improved by some small additions of 

 art, and the several rows of hedges set off by trees 

 and flowers that the soil was capable of receiving, 

 a man might make a pretty landscape of his own 

 possessions. 



JOSEPH ADDISON. 



A GARDEN'S CHIEF GRACE 



(From " The Task ") 



To deck the shapely knoll, 

 That softly swell'd and gayly dress'd appears 

 A flow'ry island, from the dark green lawn 

 Emerging, must be deem'd a labour due 

 To no mean hand, and asks the touch of taste. 

 Here also grateful mixture of well-match'd 

 And sorted hues (each giving each relief, 

 And by contrasted beauty shining more) 

 Is needful. Strength may wield the pond'rous 



spade, 



May turn the clod, and wheel the compost home ; 

 But elegance, chief grace the garden shows, 

 And most attractive, is the fair result 

 Of thought, the creature of a polish'd mind. 



