4 THE PRAISE OF SECT, I. 



Should any disbelieve, I here invite 



Such infidels to come, and trust their sight. 



-Uncorrupt and happy days were those 

 When Roman Consuls exercised their hoes ; 

 Whose leisure hours in country cares were spent, 

 And whose diversions all were innocent. 

 Oft their own labours furnishVl out their feast, 

 And thus their fruits and sallads relish'd best. 



ART OF GARDENING. 



^. .VJM -.'"'" * I1 3:1 



****** 



"" - **) '<wi r iii X- V^> sj'' '1 ' ' Lr<<-' v t ij 'if'- 



Mr. Evelyn, who had so great knowledge and ex- 

 perience in the way of gardening, speaks its praise 

 in these words : Though the gardener's life be a la- 

 borious one, yet is it full of tranquillity and satisfac- 

 tion. A condition furnished with the most innocent, 

 laudable and purest of earthly felicities; and such 

 as does certainly make the nearest approaches to 

 that blessed state, where only they enjoy all things 



without pains. 



''#'"# * # # # 



Mr. Addison says, I look upon the pleasure which 

 we take in a garden, as one of the most innocent de- 

 lights of human life. A garden was the habitation 

 of our first parents before the fall. It is naturally 

 apt to fill the mind with calmness and tranquillity, 

 and to lay ail its turbulent passions at rest. It gives 

 a great insight into the contrivance and wisdom of . 

 providence ; and suggests innumerable subjects for 

 meditation. 



Mr. Hercey, in his Meditations, on return from a 

 walk, having entered thcfazver garden, and called it 

 n beautiful spot, sa}s, " Here nature always pleas- 

 ing, every where lovely, appears with peculiar at- 

 tractions. Yonder 'she seems dressed in her desha- 

 bille ; grand, but irregular. Here she calls in her 

 hand-maid art ; and shines in all the delicate orna- 

 ments, that tEe nicest cultivation can convey. Those 



