R E F A C E. 



IX 



I have now attempted to finifh, was publifhed fome 

 years ago ; and the favourable reception granted to 

 that little performance, induced me to collect materials 

 for this. 



Whether the Chinefe manner of Gardening be better 

 or worfe than thofe now in ufe amongft the Europeans, 

 I will not determine : comparifon is the fureft as well 

 as the eafiefl: teft of truth ; it is in every man's power to- 

 compare and to judge for himfelf. — Should the prefent 

 publication contain any thing ufeful, my purpofe will be 

 fully anfwered; if not, it may perhaps afford fome little 

 entertainment, or ferve at worft to kill an idle hour. 



I muft not enter upon my fubject, without apologizing 

 for the liberties here taken with our Enodifh Gardens: 

 there are, indeed, feveral that do not come within the 

 compafs of my defcription; fome of which were laid out 

 by their owners, who are as eminently {killed in Garden- 

 ing, as in many other branches of polite knowledge; 

 the reft owe moft of their excellence to nature, and are, 



C upon. 



