SECT. XI. OP RURAL GARDENING 131 



perhaps, the only difference is, that more skill is 

 requisite. 



What has been said of the difficulty of rural and 

 extensive gardening, is meant only as advice to pro- 

 ceed with cautious steps. The work is truly of the 

 most worthy nature, and a taste for it deserves to be 

 cherished. Mr. Shemtom, in an ode on rural ele* 

 gcmce, defends his favourite employment thus : 



And oh ! the transport, most ally'd to song, 



In some fair villa's peaceful bound, 

 To catch soft hints from Nature's tongue> 



And bid Arcadia bloom around : 

 Whether we fringe the sloping hill, 



Or smoothe below the verdant mead ; 

 Whether we break the falling rill, 



Or through meandering mazes lead : 

 Or in the horrid bramble's room, 

 Bid careless groupes of roses bloom : 

 Or let some shelter'd lake serene 

 Reflect flow'rs, woods, and spires, and brighten all the 



scene ; 



O sweet disposal of the rural hour ! 

 O beauties never known to cloy ! 

 While worth and genius haunt the favotir'd bow'r, 



And every gentle breast partakes the joy ! 

 While Charity at eve surveys the swain, 

 Enabled by these toils to cheer 

 A train of helpless infants dear, 

 Speed whistling home across the plain : 

 Sees vagrant Luxury, her handmaid grown> 



For half her graceless deeds atone, 

 And hails the bounteous work, and ranks it with her own. 



Why brand these pleasures with the name 

 Of soft, unsocial toils, of indolence and shame ? 

 Search but the garden, or the wood, 



Let yon admir'd carnation own, 

 Not all was "meant for raiment, or for food, 



Not all for needful use alone ; 

 There while the seeds of future blossoms dwell, 

 Tis colour'd for the sight, perfum'd to please the smell. 



