14 



affected to some extent by the same sights, as well as 

 sounds, which address themselves to our own sensations, 

 and that they do appreciate some of the properties of the 

 vegetable world, we have the most abundant evidence. 

 That the " grazed ox" would trample, in the fragrant 

 meadow, upon the springing blossoms, that fill the soul 

 of the merest child with irrepressible delight, is no less 

 true, than that the bee lingers upon the flowery bank, in 

 pursuit of his sweet repast, or that the wild bird trills his 

 spontaneous song where dews are brightest, amongst 

 leaves and flowers. Yet we may be sure, that to us 

 alone of the common dwellers upon earth is given the 

 power of justly appreciating these munificent gifts of the 

 benevolent Author of all things. To us alone has been 

 aflforded the faculty of deriving the most innocent enjoy- 

 ment from their cultivation and care ; and, since the first 

 habitation assigned to our common parents was indeed a 

 Paradise,* we may conclude, that in the indulgence of no 

 other of our pleasures do we so nearly approach their 

 happy and sinless state. 



There can be, indeed, scarcely a change more striking 

 than to leave the noisy streets of the " dim and treeless 

 town" for the pleasant garden, stretching away under the 

 broad delicious sunshine, in the bright and open air. Of 

 all the ordinary vicissitudes of life, I am aware of none 

 which involves a revolution so absolute. We quit the 

 sights which offend us at every turn, and enter upon a 

 scene affluent in all things, which please the eye and re- 

 fresh the imagination. Instead of the tumult and intem- 

 perate haste of the crowded haunts of men, we rest with 

 the repose of nature, broken only by murmurs that are 

 delicious, and the Avarbled music of the skies. For the 

 suffocating steam of crowded life, we inhale ineffable per- 



* HAPA'AEIiOJ;, a garden. 



