John Worlidge. 39 



preface which opens with these words : 



" I never had any other desire so strong, and so like 

 to Covetousness, as that one which I have had always, 

 that I might be master at last of a small house and 

 large garden, with very moderate conveniences joined 

 to them, and there dedicate the remainder of my life to 

 the Culture of them and study of Nature." 



Besides the contributions which he left 

 behind him to botanical literature, Evelyn 

 has made his Diary and even his corre- 

 spondence a small storehouse of curious facts 

 in relation to the same subject ; he has not 

 failed to record for us particulars of all 

 the public and private gardens which came 

 under his observation, either at home or 

 abroad ; and there can be little doubt that 

 he was instrumental, both directly and in- 

 directly, in naturalising among us numerous 

 beautiful examples of the flora and sylva of 

 other countries, and enabled such a book as 

 Worlidge 's Sy sterna Horticultures, to aspire X 

 to far greater completeness than it could 

 otherwise have attained. The benefits of 

 this thrice-happy possessor of noble tastes, 

 ample means, and influential friends survive 



