THE GARDENS OF EPICURUS 55 



Colony, upon the Cape de Buen Esperace, is admir- 

 able, and described to be an oblong figure, of very 

 large extent, and divided into four quarters by long 

 and cross walks, ranged with all sorts of orange- 

 trees, lemons, limes and citrons ; each of these four 

 quarters is planted with the trees, fruits, flowers and 

 plants that are native and proper to each of the four 

 parts of the world ; so as in this one enclosure are 

 to be found the several gardens of Europe, Asia, 

 Africa and America. There could not be, in my 

 mind, a greater thought of a gardener, nor a nobler 

 idea of a garden, not better suited or chosen for the 

 climate, which is about thirty degrees, and may pass 

 for the Hesperides of our age, whatever or wherever 

 the other was. Yet this is agreed by all to have been 

 in the islands or continent upon the south-west of 

 Africa, but what their forms or their fruits were, 

 none, that I know, pretend to tell ; nor whether their 

 golden apples were for taste, or only for sight, as those 

 of Montezuma were in Mexico, who had large trees, 

 with stocks, branches, leaves and fruits, all admirably 

 composed and wrought of gold ; but this was only 

 stupendous in cost and art, and answers not at all, in 

 my opinion, the delicious varieties of Nature in other 

 gardens. 



