55 



accompanied with Violets, growing under the hedges, ave- 

 nues of trees, and wilderness works. Violets, besides their 

 beauty, perfume the air with a most delightful odour."* 

 Mr. Bradley, it appears, from the Fruit Garden Kalendar, of 

 the Rev. Mr. Lawrence, resided at Camden House, Ken- 

 sington. They each of them in their letters, in 1717, sub- 

 scribe themselves, " You? most affectionate friend.'' Mr. 

 Lawrence frequently styles him "the most ingenious Mr. 

 Bradley." Dr. Pulteney says he "was the author of more 

 than twenty separate publications, chiefly on Gardening and 

 Agriculture; published between the years 1716 and 1730. 

 His * New Improvement of Planting and Gardening, both 

 Philosophical and Practical/ 8vo. 1717, went through re- 

 peated impressions ; as did his ' Gentleman's and Gardener's 



* Lord Bacon says, " Because the breath of flowers is far sweeter in the 

 air (where it comes and goes, like the warbling of musick) than in the hand, 

 therefore nothing is more fit for that delight, than to know what be the 

 flowers and plants that do best perfume the air." The Prince de Ligne says, 



Je ne veux point avoir 1'orgueilleuse tulipe; 

 L'odorat en jar din est mon premier principe. 



The translation of Spectacle de la Nature, a very pleasing work, observes 

 that " Flowers are not only intended to beautify the earth with their shining 

 colours, but the greatest part of them, in order to render the entertainment 

 more exquisite, diffuse a fragrance that perfumes all the air around us; and 

 it should seem as if they were solicitous to reserve their odours for tlie evening 

 and morn, when walking is most agreeable ; but their sweets are very faint 

 during the heat of the day, when we visit them the least." 



I must again trespass on the pages of the great Bacon, by briefly shewing 

 the natural wildness he wishes to introduce into one part of his garden : 

 " thickets, made only of sweet-briar and honeysuckle, and some wild vine 

 amongst, and the ground set with violets, strawberries, and primroses; for 

 these are sweet, and prosper in the shade." 



The dew or pearly drops that one sees in a morning on cowslips, remind 

 one of what is said of Mignon: " Ses ouvrages sont precieux par 1'art avec 

 le quel il representoit les fleurs dans tout leur eclat, et les fruits avec toute 

 leur fraicheur. La rosee et les goutes d'eau qu'elle rpand sur les fleurs, 

 sont si bien imitees dans ses tableaux, qu'on est tente d'y porter la main." 



