270 ADDRESS. 



all the qualities which we most esteem, is incomparably 

 great. But till w^e can show our neighbor better fruits, 

 he will continue to cultivate, and rest content with, his 

 choke pear and horse plum. 



With regard to what is termed ornamental gardening, 

 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 was to accumulate money, without enjoying 

 any of the comforts which it confers, save the gratification 

 of animal appetite, the objection would be conclusive. 

 But we are endowed with other and higlier appetites than 

 the mere brute ; and Providence has every where sur- 

 rounded us with suitable objects for their developement, 

 and innocent gratification. And shall we reject the prof- 

 fered benefaction so kindly tendered for our benefit, be- 

 cause it adds nothing to our pelf ^ And what is there in 

 the natural creation, better calculated to soften down the 

 rough asperities of our nature, to awaken kind feelings to- 

 wards each other, and 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 ? I would not recommend the neglect of more 

 important duties, for the culture of a flower-garden : yet 

 when there is abihty 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 salutary precau- 

 tion against bad companions and bad habits. The mind 

 must be employed, and must have recreation. It is bet- 

 ter 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 human pleasures — the greatest re- 

 freshment to the spirits of man — without which, buildings 

 and palaces are but gross handiworks." 



But I am forgetting myself. In my ardor to commend 

 Horticulture, for its useful, elevating, and purifying influ- 

 ence upon the habits and manners of society, I did not 

 recollect that I am addressing the Iiighly polished inhab- 



