HISTORICAL NOTICES. 15 



Milton's beautiful descriptions in Paradise Lost had much 

 influence in awakening a taste for natural beauty. His con- 

 ception of the garden was not only totally at variance with 

 the generally entertained notions of such a spot, but it evinced 

 a mind full of exquisite natural beauty, as well as the most 

 sublime poetry. 



"Southward through Eden went a river large, 

 Nor changed his course, but through the shaggy hill 

 Pass'd underneath ingulPd ; for God had thrown 

 That mountain as his garden mould high raised 

 Upon the rapid current, which through veins 

 Of porous earth with kindly thirst updrawn, 

 Rose a fresh fountain, and with many a rill 

 Water'd the garden : thence united fell 

 Down the steep glade, and met the nether flood, 

 Which from his darksome passage now appears, 

 And now divided into four main streams. 

 Runs diverse, wand'ring many a famous realm 

 And country, whereof here needs no account: 

 But rather to tell how, if Art could tell. 

 How from that sapphire fount the crisped brooks. 

 Rolling on orient pearl and sands of gold, 

 With mazy error under pendent shades 

 Ran nectar, visiting each plant, and fed 

 Flowers, worthy of Paradise, which not nice Art 

 In beds and curious knots, but Nature boon 

 Pour'd forth profuse on hill and dale and plain, 

 Both where the morning sun first warmly smote 

 The open field, and where the unpierced shade 

 Imbrown'd the noon-tide bowers : Thus was this place 

 A happy rural seat of various view; 

 Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm. 

 Others whose fruit burnished with golden rind 

 Hung amiable, Hesperian fables true. 

 If true, here only, and of delicious taste: 

 Betwixt them lawns, or level downs, and flocks 

 Grazing the tender herb, were interpos'd 

 Or palmy hillock; or the flow'ry lap 

 Of someirriguous valley spread her store, 

 Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose : 

 Another side, umbrageous grots and caves 

 Of cool recess, o'er which the mantling vine 

 Lays forth her purple grape, and gently creeps 



