ON GARDENS 31 



sculpture," the quaint topiary work of earlier years, 

 that now had run riot. Pope supposes " an eminent 

 town Gardener" had lately supplied him with "a 

 catalogue of greens." He declares his correspon- 

 dent to be "a wag" and has arrived at "such 

 perfection in his art" that he "cuts family pieces of 

 men, women, or children." Then he proceeds with 

 the catalogue, "as sent for my recommendation": 



" Adam and Eve in Yew : Adam a little shattered by the fall 

 of the Tree of Knowledge in the great storm ; Eve and the serpent 

 very flourishing. 



The Tower of Babel, not yet finished. 



St. George in Box ; his arms scarce long enough, but will be in 

 condition to stick the dragon next April. 



A green dragon of the same, with a tail of ground-ivy for the 

 present. 



N.B. These two not to be sold separately. 



Edward the Black Prince in cypress. 



A laurustine bear in blossom, with a juniper hunter in berries. 



A pair of giants, stunted, to be sold cheap. 



A Queen Elizabeth in phylyraea, a little inclining to the green- 

 sickness, but full of growth. 



Another Queen Elizabeth in myrtle, which was very forward, 

 but miscarried by being too near a Savine. 



An old maid of honour in wormwood. 



A topping Ben Jonson in laurel. 



Divers eminent modern poets in bays, somewhat blighted, to 

 be disposed of, a pennyworth. 



A quickset hog, shot up into a porcupine, by its being forgot a 

 week in rainy weather. 



A lavender pig with sage growing in his belly. 



Noah's ark in Holly, standing on the mount ; the ribs a little 

 damaged for want of water." 



