174 JOHN EVELYN 



some of my curious friends, 1 was constrain'd to print ; 

 but it cannot be imagined that I should haue travell'd 

 over so large a province (though but a garden) as yet, 

 who set out not many moneths since, and can make it 

 but my diversions at best, who haue so many other 

 impediments besieging me, publique and personall, 

 whereofF the long sicknesse of my unicus, my only 

 sonn, now five moneths afflicted with a double quartan, 

 and but five yeares old, is not one of the least ; so 

 that there is not danger your additionalls and favours 

 to your servant should be prevented by the perfection 

 of my worke, or if it were, that I should be so in- 

 jurious to my owne fame or your civility, as not to 

 beginn all anew, that I might take in such auxiliaries as 

 you send me, and which I must esteeme as my best 

 and most efFectuall forces. Sir, I returne you a thousand 

 acknowledgements for the papers which you transmitted 

 me, and I will render you this account of my present 

 vndertaking. The truth is, that which imported me 

 to discourse on this subject after this sorte, was the 

 many defects which I encounter'd in bookes and in 

 gardens, wherein neither words nor cost had bin want- 

 ing, but judgement very much ; and though I cannot 

 boast of my science in this kind, as both vnbecoming 

 my yeares and my small experience, yet I esteem' d it 



