OF GARDENS 253 



No deeper thought was ever uttered by poet. 

 For in this world of plants, which with its magician, 

 chlorophyll, conjuring with sunbeams, is ceaselessly 

 at work bringing life out of death and in this quiet 

 vegetable world we may find the elementary prin- 

 ciples of all life in almost visible operation. 



OF GARDENS 



BY FRANCIS BACON 



AND because the breath of flowers is far sweeter 

 in the air, where it comes and goes, like the warbling 

 of music, than in the hand, therefore nothing is 

 more for that delight, than to know what be the 

 flowers and plants that do best perfume the air. 

 That which above all others yields the sweetest smell 

 in the air is the violet; especially the white double 

 violet, which comes twice a year, about the middle 

 of April, and about Bartholomew- tide. Next to 

 that is the musk rose; then the strawberry leaves 

 dying, with a most excellent cordial smell; then the 

 flower of the vines it is a little dust, like the dust 

 of a bent, which grows upon the cluster, in the first 

 coming forth; then sweetbrier; then wallflowers, 

 which are very delightful, to be set under a parlor, 

 or lower chamber window; then pinks and gilly- 

 flowers, especially the matted pink and clove gilly- 

 flower; then the flowers of the lime tree; then the 



