SECT. I. GARDENING 7 



equalling all the opulence of kings, in the ease, con- 

 tent, and freedom of his mind. This is one of the 

 most agsured truths ; and happy are they who are 

 free from the entanglements ot artificial life, and 

 not over-burthened with honour and greatness. 



Gardening leads to planting and farming, of 

 which, collectively, Mr. Cowley prettily speaks. It 

 is one of the best natured delights of all others, for 

 a man to look about him, and see nothing but the 

 effects and improvements of his own art and dili- 

 gence; to be always gathering some fruits of it, 

 and at the same time to behold others ripening, and 

 others budding; to see all his fields and gardens 

 covered with the beauteous creatures of his own in- 

 dustry ; and to see, like the CREATOR, that all his 

 works are good. 



Of a country life in general, Mr. C. says, " We 

 are here among the vast and noble scenes of nature ; 

 where we walk in the light and open ways of the 

 divine bounty, and where our senses are feasted with 

 the clear and genuine taste of their objects." 



SECTION IT. 



CONCERNING VEGETATION. 



AS a good GARDEN affords much pleasure and pro- 

 fa, it deserves every attention, and the cultivation of 

 it cannot be too rationally pursued. It is therefore 

 that a sketch of ihe Nature of Vegetation is here 

 attempted ; for the use of those who are unac- 

 q-uainted with the subject, to assist them in the pur- 

 suit of gardening with understanding. 



