i2 4 THE PRAISE OF GARDENS 



SAMUEL '"pHEN to Mr Evelyn's, to discourse of our confounded business 



pppvo 



(1632-1703) f prisoners, and sick and wounded seamen, wherein he 



and we are so much put out of order. And here he showed me 

 his Gardens, which are, for variety of evergreens, and hedge of 

 holly, the finest things I ever saw in my life. Thence in his 

 coach to Greenwich, and there to my office, all the way having 

 fine discourse of trees and the nature of vegetables. ' Diary? 

 $th October, 1665. 



By water to Deptford, and there made a visit to Mr Evelyn. . . . 

 He read to me very much also of his discourse, he hath been 

 many years and now is about, about Gardenage ; which will be 

 a most noble and pleasant piece. 5 Novr., 1665. 



22nd (Lord's Day). Walked to White Hall, where saw nobody 

 almost, but walked up and down with Hugh May, who is a very 

 ingenious man. 



Among other things, discoursing of our present fashion of 

 gardens to make them plain, that we have the best walks of 

 gravell in the world, France having none nor Italy; and our 

 green of our bowling allies is better than any they have. So 

 our business here being ayre, this is the best way, only with a 

 little mixture of statues or pots, which may be handsome, and 

 so filled with another pot of such or such a flower or greene, 

 as the season of the year will bear. And then for flowers, they 

 are best seen in a little plat by themselves : besides, their borders 

 spoil the walks of another garden : and then for fruit, the best way 

 is to have walls built circularly one within another, to the South, on 

 purpose for fruit, and leave the walking Garden only for that use. 

 Thence walked through the House, where most people mighty 

 hush, and methinks, melancholy. 2 2nd July, 1666. 



