13 



of the Medici in Italy, Louis the XIV of France, Peter the Great 

 of Russia, and the most celebrated literary worthies, and bene- 

 factors of the human race, in every region of the world. Since 

 the invention of the Microscope at the beginning of the seven- 

 teenth century, the most wonderful discoveries, alluring multi- 

 tudes to the pursuit of vegetable science, have given animation 

 to their diligence, and recompensed their toils. 



The History of Horticulture thus puts forth its buds and thus 

 expands its flowers, in Ancient and in Modern times. 



When the inquirer, who is curious to learn its present state, 

 ascends that eminence from which its groves and walks may be 

 discerned, his interest is yet further heightened by the most glad- 

 dening discoveries. In Europe, a fresh impulse to investigation 

 has been experienced; and many a distinguished naturalist on 

 the continent is emulous to obtain a wreath, like that which dec- 

 orates the brow of him who lately towered aloft, 



Quantum lenla solent inter viberna cupressi* 



But now, alas ! the mournful branches of the funeral tree are- 

 waving over him ; yet, with the distinctive qualities of the same 

 cypress, the memory of the immortal Sir James Edward Smitht 

 shall be evergreen and everduring, scmpcrvirens et sempiterna. 

 Throughout the East, new stores are yet continually unfold- 



* Virgil, Eel. I. 1. 26. 



t This great naturalist, the President of the Linnean Society of London, 

 breathed his last on the 17th of March in the present year. The tribute that 

 I feebly utter is dictated by an ardent admiration of his rare endowments. 

 The CUPRESSBS sempervirens I have called also sempiterna, with a reference to 

 its durability. THEOPHRASTUS says, it remains uncorruptedyburgenerafa'orw, 

 nTT3 yeiti ; PLINY alleges four hundred years, quadringentis annis ; and 

 VITRUVIUS ascribes to it eternity, ajternam diuturnitatem. See Buxtorf, 

 Geog. Sacr. col. 22. 



