JUDGE BUELS ADDRESS. 313 



pear ; the green-gage as the horse-plum ; and yet 

 the difference between them, in all the qualities 

 which we most esteem, is incomparably great. But, 

 till we can show our neighbour better fruits, he will 

 continue to cultivate and rest content with his choke- 

 peaf and horse-plum. 



With regard to what is termed ornamental gar- 

 dening, or the cultivation of flowering shrubs and 

 plants, there is an objection, real or affected, often 

 made by very many people, on the ground that it 

 yields no profit. If the great object of life were to 

 accumulate money, without enjoying any of the com- 

 forts, save the gratification of animal appetite, the 

 objection would be conclusive. But we are endowed 

 with other and higher appetites than the mere brute ; 

 and Providence has everywhere surrounded us with 

 suitable objects for their development and innocent 

 gratification. Shall we. then, reject the proffered 

 benefactions so kindly tendered because they add 

 nothing to our pelf ] And what is there in the nat- 

 ural creation better calculated to soften down the 

 rough asperities of our nature, to awaken kind feel- 

 ings towards each other, and to excite reverence and 

 love for the Most High, than a familiar acquaintance 

 with the wonders and beauties of His vegetable 

 kingdom. Did you ever know a misanthrope or a 

 miser who was an admirer of flowers 1 1 would not 

 recommend the neglect of more important duties for 

 the culture of a flower-garden ; yet, when there is 

 ability or leisure (and these may be found to a greater 

 or less extent in almost every family), a taste for 

 floral beauties should be inculcated in the young, not 

 only as a source of rational pleasure, but as a salu- 

 tary precaution against bad companions and bad hab- 

 its. The mind must be employed and must have 

 recreation. It is better to direct it to the works of 

 the Creator than to the works of man. Lord Bacon 

 has said of the garden, " It affords the purest of hu- 

 man pleasures : the greatest refreshment to the spiri' 



