A GARDEN DIARY 135 



understand no less than six languages ; yet 

 I protest I have no higher conceit of myself 

 than had our fathers before the confusion of 

 Babel, when there was but one language in 

 the world, and none to boast himself either 

 linguist or critick. I have not only seen several 

 countries, beheld the nature of their climes, the 

 chorography of their provinces, topography of 

 their cities, but understand their several laws, 

 customs, and policies ; yet cannot all this per- 

 suade the dullness of my spirit unto such an 

 opinion of myself as I behold in nimbler and 

 conceited heads, that never looked a degree 

 beyond their nests. I know the names, and 

 somewhat more, of all the constellations in my 

 horizon ; yet I have seen a prating mariner, that 

 could only name the Pointers, and the North 

 star, out-talk me, and conceit himself a whole 

 sphere above me. I know most of the plants of 

 my country, and of those about me, yet ..." 



Nay Sir Thomas, dear Sir Thomas, let me 

 not follow thee longer in this vein, else might 

 one of the devoutest of thy followers lose some 

 share of that devoutness ! I hastily ruffle thy 

 pages over, feeling certain before long of coming 

 upon thee in a worthier one. 



I have been longer over my search than I 

 expected, having set my heart upon finding one 



