LIFE OF MILLER. 339 



first bright beam of gardening issuing from the 

 dark cloud of ignorance in which it had previously 

 been enveloped; but having once broken through, it 

 has continued to shine with increasing splendour 

 for the last century. It may be almost said to 

 have laid the foundation of all the horticultural 

 taste and knowledge in Europe. It went through 

 eight editions in England during the life of the 

 author. The last is dated 1768. It forms a very 

 thick folio volume, and follows the nomenclature 

 and style of Linnaeus, the earlier volumes having 

 been written on the Tournefortian principles. Lin- 

 naeus justly remarked, that Miller's was a botanical 

 as well as a horticultural dictionary. 



At this time an association of gardeners was 

 formed, some of whom had belonged to the same 

 society as that to which Miller had been secretary. 

 They put forth a work, entitled the " Gardener's 

 Catalogue," in opposition to Miller ; but being found 

 of too weighty a nature to be carried on, it was 

 never completed, and the portion printed was soon 

 left to moulder upon the shelf. One good effect, 

 however, followed, as it urged Miller to hasten the 

 publication of his first folio edition, which obtained 

 a rapid sale. A second and third edition soon 

 followed ; the latest with corrections, dedicated to 

 Sir Hans Sloane, Bart., and the President, Council, 

 and Fellows of the Royal Society. A second vo- 

 lume of " The Gardener's Dictionary " was pub- 

 lished soon after the first, but both volumes were 

 finally incorporated into one, and in that state 

 brought Miller into greater repute than he had 

 hitherto attained, owing principally to his having ar- 

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