INTRODUCTION. O 



nature would vanish with this profusion, and half the 

 pleasure we derive from the survey of her works, would 

 be destroyed. 



The love of nature is an humble affection of the mind 

 that may render every man happy. It has no connec- 

 tion with vanity, and finds more pleasure in contem- 

 plating a simple and modest flower-garden, reared by 

 some pious votary of nature, than the most gorgeous 

 parterre. It is a false notion, that without wealth one 

 has no means of enjoying the pleasures of a garden ; or 

 that one must live in a showy house to give evidence of 

 taste. The " love of the beautiful " has lately become 

 a subject of the merest cant ; for a love of the beauti- 

 ful, except as it is connected with sentiment, is no better 

 than the taste of the savage who daubs himself with 

 paint, or of the dandy who covers himself with jewelry. 

 The most uncultivated and prosaic of mankind have 

 that love of the beautiful which indulges itself in gor- 

 geous tapestry, dazzling embellishments, highly orna- 

 mented houses, and fashionable finery. Such are the 

 men who see no charms in nature, unless she be dressed 

 like the estate of a nobleman. No people can be ren- 

 dered more happy by the cultivation of this love of 

 mere agreeable sensations. I would encourage frugal- 

 ity in the decoration of nature, as well as in the decora- 

 tion of the person ; and I would plant flowera, not as 

 mere beautiful objects, but as emblems .of some pleas- 

 ing traits of character, and material forms that serve to 

 awaken in the mind some poetic image, that shall nur- 

 ture and delight the soul. 



The love of nature is planted more or less in every 

 human breast, though in many it is not sufficient to re- 

 press the more energetic love of finery and display. 

 But the eagerness with which all persons, when em- 



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