JANUARY. 21 



THE GARDEN. 



Gardens are amongst the most delightful 

 things which human art has prepared for our 

 recreation and refreshment. To say nothing of 

 the common-places, that a garden was first con- 

 structed by God himself, — that in the shades of 

 a glorious garden our first parents were placed 

 by him, — that our Saviour delighted to walk in a 

 garden, — that in a garden he suffered his agony, 

 and that in a garden he was buried ; there are a 

 thousand reasons why gardens should be highly 

 valued, especially by those who are fond of the 

 country. Lovers of nature cannot always stroll 

 abroad to those beauties and delights which lie 

 scattered far and wide ; the physical impedi- 

 ments of time and space — the severities of 

 winter, the dews, the hasty storms, and the 

 strong heats of summer lie between them and 

 their enjoyment, especially if they be of the 

 delicate sex. But into a garden — a spot into 

 which, by the magical power of science, taste, 

 and adventurous enterprize, the sweetest and 

 most beautiful vegetable productions, not only 

 of our own country, but of the whole globe are 

 collected, they may step at all hours, and at all 

 seasons ; yes, even through the hours of night, 

 when many glories of Nature are to be witness- 

 ed ; her sweetest odours are poured out ; her 



