INTRODUCTION. 5 



English nation : it is prevalent every where. 

 The author observed an instance of it when 

 in Paris, in the summer of 1822. Wishing to 

 visit the celebrated garden of M. Bourseau, 

 which is unequalled for the beauty of it's 

 plants by any city-garden in Europe, he re- 

 ceived in anwer to all enquiries for direction 

 to the spot, the usual careless but short and 

 decisive, Je ne le connois pas, Monsieur; but 

 on asking the way to La Mort, every turn and 

 alley were readily pointed out with all the 

 bustle and officiousness of French politeness. 

 In this history of flowering trees and 

 shrubs, there is nothing terrible to present to 

 the reader ; but every endeavour has been 

 used to 



" Shew Nature's Form in smiling beauty drest, 

 And call mankind to view her and be blest." 



Delille. 



It seems hardly possible for any mind to 

 be so debased as to be insensible to the 

 effects of Nature.* whose vegetable charms 

 become more endeared to us as our age 

 and reflection increase. A more delightful 

 cabinet of natural history can scarcely be 

 formed, than the shrubbery affords, even 

 when unadorned by exotic beauties. It of- 

 fers matter for contemplation of the most 

 agreeable kind, which varies still as seasons 



b S 



