XX MEMOIR. 



the continent lying chaotic, in mountain, and lake, and 

 forest, with a finger that should develop all its resources 

 of beauty, for the admiration and benefit of its children, 

 seemed to him a task worthy the highest genius. This 

 was the dream that dazzled the silent years of his life 

 in the garden, and inspired and strengthened him in 

 every exertion. As he saw more and more of the results 

 of this spirit in the beautiful Hudson country-seats, he 

 was, naturally, only the more resolved. To lay out one 

 garden well, in conformity with the character of the sur- 

 rounding landscape, in obedience to the truest taste, and 

 to make a man's home, and its grounds, and its accesso- 

 ries, as genuine works of art as any picture or statue that 

 the owner had brought over the sea, was, in his mind, the 

 first step toward the great result. 



At the various places upon the river, as he visited them 

 from time to time, he was received as a gentleman, a scho- 

 lar, and the most practical man of the party, would neces- 

 sarily be welcomed. He sketched, he measured ; " in a 

 walk he plucks from an overhanging bough a single leaf, 

 examines its color, form and structure ; inspects it with 

 his microscope, and, having recorded his observations, pre- 

 sents it to his friend, and invites him to study it, as sug- 

 gestive of some of the first principles of rural architecture 

 and economy." No man enjoyed society more, and none 

 ever lost less time. His pleasure trips from point to point 

 upon the river were the excursions of the honey-bee into 

 the flower. He returned richly laden ; and the young 

 partner, feeling from childhood the necessity of entire self- 

 dependence, continued to live much alone, to be reserved, 

 but always affable and gentle. These travels were usually 

 brief, and strictly essential to his education. He was wisely 

 getting ready ; it would be so fatal to speak without autho- 



