MELON. 231 



many of this sort ripe, through the diligent and curious 

 nourishing of them by a skilful gentleman, the keeper of 

 the said house, called Master Fowle ; and in other 

 places neere unto the Right Honourable the Lord of 

 Sussex house, of Bermondsey, by London, where from 

 yeere to yeere there is verie great plenty, especially if the 

 weather be any thing temperate." " It hath," adds 

 Gerard, " the smell of musk, and from which account it 

 is called the Musk Melon." 



It is stated in Gough's British Topography, that melons 

 were common in this country as early as the time of 

 Edward the Third, but were entirely lost, as well as the 

 cucumber, during the wars of York and Lancaster. 



Miller justly remarks, that, in this country, there are 

 too many melons produced of no value by those who sup- 

 ply the market, who, endeavouring to enlarge their size, 

 render the fruit of no value, and unworthy the trouble and 

 expense, being more fit for the dunghill than the table. 

 In warmer countries, the melon is raised with little or no 

 trouble, and the fruit attains a, peculiarly fine flavour ; but 

 in this climate it requires great attention and expense to 

 rear it, therefore 



" Grudge not, ye rich, (since luxury must have 

 His dainties, and the world's more numerous half 

 Lives by contriving delicacies for you,) 

 Grudge not the cost. Ye little know the cares, 

 The vigilance, the labour, and the skill, 

 That day and night are exercised, and hang 

 Upon the ticklish balance of suspense, 

 That ye may garnish your profuse regales 

 With summer fruits brought forth by wintry suns : 

 Ten thousand dangers lie in wait to thwart 

 The process." 



Cotoper. 



