Bacon as a Gardener. 1 1 1 



croached on a portion ; the average lawyer 

 or parson has no sentiment; the Antients 

 of Gray's Inn are as destitute of esprit as 

 the members of Convocation or the Dome 

 of St. Paul's. 



Contemporary with Bacon lived Richard 

 Gardiner, of Shrewsbury, who in 1603 put 

 forth Profitable Instructions for the Manuring, 

 Sowing, and Planting of Kitchen Gardens. 



The Preface of this work is addressed by 

 the writer to "his loving neighbours and 

 friends, within the towne of Shrewsburie, in 

 the countie of Salop ; " and it is manifest 

 from the tone and language of it, as well as 

 from the presence of two prayers at the end 

 by way of peroration, that Gardiner was in 

 holy orders, although no mention of that fact 

 occurs on the title. He seems to say that 

 at that date the condition of horticulture in 

 Shropshire among the lower ranks was very 

 unsatisfactory ; but he trusts that his publica- 

 tion will inaugurate an improved state of 

 affairs, and in a copy of encomiastic verses 

 by a friend, Edward Thome (or Thornes, of 

 Melverley), this sanguine view is supported 



