cviii THE GARDEN 



thing which we call (not very properly, but yet we 

 call) our own. I am gone out from Sodom^ but I am 

 not yet arrived at my little Zoar : O let me escape 

 thither ^ (is it not a little one ?) and my Soul shall live. 

 I do not look back yet : but I have been forced to 

 stop, and make too many halts. You may wonder, 

 Sir, (for this seems a little too extravagant and Pin- 

 darical for Prose) what I mean by all this Preface; it 

 is to let you know, That though I have mist, like a 

 Chymist, my great End, yet I account my Affections 

 and Endeavours well rewarded by something that I 

 have met with by the bye ; which is, that they have 

 procur'd to me some part in your Kindness and esteem; 

 and thereby the honour of having my Name so ad- 

 vantagiously recommended to Posterity, by the Epistle 

 you are pleased to prefix to the most useful Book that 

 has been written in that kind, and which is to last as 

 long as Months and Years. 



Among many other Arts and Excellencies which 

 you enjoy, I am glad to find this Favourite of mine 

 the most predominant, That you choose this for your 

 Wife, though you have hundreds of other Arts for 

 your Concubines ; though you know them, and beget 

 Sons upon them all, (to which you are rich enough 

 to allow great Legacies) yet the issue of this seems to 

 be design'd by you to the main of the Estate ; you 

 have taken most pleasure in it, and bestow'd most 

 Charges upon its Education ; and I doubt not to see 

 that Book, which you are pleased to promise to the 

 World, and of which you have given us a large earnest 

 in your Calendar, as accomplish'd, as any thing can 

 be expected from an Extraordinary Application, and no 

 ordinary Expences, and a long Experience. I know 

 no body that possesses more private Happiness than 



