MEMOIR. Xll 



" to scorn delights, 

 And live laborious days," 



would not find something in the air of this demesne so 

 soothing as to dampen the fire of his great purposes, and 

 dispose him to believe that there is more dignity in repose, 

 than merit in action/' 



So, certainly, I believed, as the May days passed, and 

 found me still lingering in the enchanted garden. 



In August, 1846, " The Horticulturist " was com- 

 menced by Mr. Luther Tucker, of Albany, who invited 

 Mr. Downing to become the editor, in which position he 

 remained, writing a monthly leader for it, until his 

 death. These articles are contained in the present vol- 

 ume. Literature offers no more charming rural essays. 

 They are the thoughtful talk of a country gentleman, and 

 scholar, and practical workman, upon the rural aspects 

 and interests of every month in the year. They insinuate 

 instruction, rather than directly teach, and in a style mel- 

 low, mature, and cheerful, adapted to every age and every 

 mood. By their variety of topic and treatment, they are, 

 perhaps, the most complete memorial of the man. Their 

 genial simplicity fascinated all kinds of persons. A cor- 

 respondence which might be called affectionate, sprang up 

 between the editor and scores of his readers. They want- 

 ed instruction and advice. They confided to him their 

 plans and hopes ; to him the personally unknown " we " 

 of their monthly magazine the reserved man whom pub- 

 lishers and others found " stiff," and " cold/' and " a lit- 

 tle haughty," and whose fine points of character stood out, 

 like sunny mountain peaks against a mist. These letters, 

 it appears, were personal, and full of feeling. The 

 writers wished to know the man, to see his portrait, and 

 many requested him to have it published in the " Horti- 



