50 HORTICULTURE. 







cacy, which pass with some persons for refinement, but which, in many 

 cases, indicate a weak, if not a corrupt mind. 



" Now I do not say that the lady to whom I have referred was her- 

 self the manager of the farm ; that rested entirely with her husband ; 

 but I have intended simply to show how gratifying to him must have 

 been the lively interest and sympathy which she took in concerns which 

 necessarily so much engaged his time and attention ; and how the coun- 

 try would be divested of that dulness and ennui, so often complained 

 of as inseparable from it, when a cordial and practical interest is taken 

 in the concerns which belong to rural life. I meant also to show and 

 this and many other examples, which have come under my observation, 

 emphatically do show that an interest in, and familiarity with, even 

 the most humble occupations of agricultural life, are not inconsistent 

 with the highest refinements of taste, the most improved cultivation of 

 the mind, and elegance, and dignity of manners, unsurpassed in the 

 highest circles of society." 



This picture is thoroughly English ; and who do our readers* 

 suppose this lady was ? Mr. Colman puts his finger on his lips, and 

 declares that however much he may be questioned by his fair readers 

 at home, he will make no disclosures. But other people recognize 

 the portrait ; and we understand it is that of the Duchess of Port- 

 land. 



Now, as a contrast to this, here is a little fragment a mere bit 

 but enough to show the French feeling about country life. It is 

 from one of Madame de Sevigne's charming letters ; and, fond of 

 society as she was, she certainly had as much of love of the coun- 

 try as belongs to her class and sex on her side of the channel. It is 

 part of a letter written from her country home. She is writing to 

 her daughter, and speaking of an expected visit from one of her 

 friends : 



" It follows that, after I have been to see her, she will come to see 

 me, when, of course, I shall wish her to find my garden in good order ; 

 my walks in good order those fine walks, of which you are so fond. 

 Attend also, if you please, to a little suggestion en passant. You are 

 aware that haymaking is going forward. Well, I have no haymakers. 

 I send into the neighboring fields to press them into my service ; there 

 are none to be found ; and so all my own people are summoned to make 



