112 



HISTORY OF GARDENING. 



Part I. 



great designs, which shall astonish by their magnificence ; but taste among such a people 

 is not likely to be refined ; works of art are only prized as marks of wealth ; their merit 

 is not understood, and therefore, declining in interest after the first burst of surprise, they 

 are soon viewed with indifference, and afterwards neglected or destroyed. Gardening, 

 in such circumstances, is not likely to be improved in any of its branches, nor the use of 

 gardens rendered general among any part of the population. Russia and Poland may 

 be referred to as examples. 



514. In free states of society, where commerce is a leading jnirsnit, and propert}"^ is irregu- 

 larly distributed among all classes ; where there are wealthy, rich, and thriving citizens, 

 and where the comforts of life are known and relished by every class, gardening is likely 

 to prosper in all its branches. The first-rate gardens of the wealthy will be an example 

 to the rich, act as a premium to operative gardeners and artists, and encourage commer- 

 cial gardens. The fine gardens displayed by the wealthy commercialist will act as a 

 stimulus to the independent gentleman, too apt to be stationary in his improvements. 

 The retiring tradesman will aspire to the same excellence as the merchant, and stimulate 

 him in his turn. Cottage-gardens will be found real ornaments to the country, and 

 supply useful food and agreeable fruits to the laboring class of society, who, as they 

 become more enlightened, will prefer employing their leisure hours in this way, rather 

 than in grosser pleasures or habits. This was formerly the state of Holland, and is, in 

 some degree, at present, that of Britain. 



515. In free states of society, where agncultiire is chiefly folloioed, where property con- 

 tinues much divided, and mankind, as will always be the case under such circumstances, 

 are sober and rational, the useful branches of gardening will be generally practised 

 and much improved. Wliolesome culinary vegetables will be enjoyed by all classes, 

 and agreeable fruits by most of the inhabitants. Switzerland may be referred to as an 

 example. 



516. Times of I'teace and commercial prosperity, under any government or state of society, 

 will be more favorable than their op^iosites. The long and flourishing peace of the two first 

 empires, Sir W. Temple observes, gave earlier rise and growth to learning and civilisation, 

 and all the consequences of them, in magnificence and elegancy of building and gardening ; 

 whereas Greece and Rome were almost perpetually engaged in quarrels and wars, either 

 abroad or at home, and so were busy in actions done under the sun, rather than those under 

 the shade. 



517. In mixed states of society, where a part of the population are privileged orders or 

 hereditary proprietors, and the rest partly free and partly dependent, gardening is likely 

 to be encouraged, more especially as an art of design. The proprietor of an entailed 

 territory may be said to enjoy a sort of tangible immortality ; for by establishing in his 

 person and estate a sort of local and corporeal connection between his ancestry and pos- 

 terity, he sees neither beginning nor ending to his life and property. Such a being is 

 anxious to distinguish his little reign by some permanent improvement ; and those which 

 are most likely to answer his purpose will be building or gardening. However distant 

 the expected benefits of his efforts, they are sure to be enjoyed ; and even if he exceeds 

 his income, and contracts debts which he cannot pay, he knows that the labor and pro- 

 perty of others, which he has embodied on his estate, will remain for its benefit, and that 

 posterity will give him credit for zeal and ambition. But partial rights of this sort are 

 much more injurious than beneficial to society, by giving the privileged party a legal 

 title to contract debts which he is not able to pay. They are remains of those feudal 

 or primitive institutions which, as mankind become enlightened, will be swept away, 

 ■with various other antiquated customs and absurdities, till man at last, whatever may be 

 the circumstances of fortune or family under which he may be ushered into society, will 

 be left to sink or rise in wealth and respect, according to his personal merits. Though 

 the nobility of Britain have fewer exclusive privileges than those on the continent, yet 

 there are not wanting instances of these privileges being abused ; and as an example of 

 a man creating sumptuous gardens and forming fine collections of plants, without being 

 able to pay for them, or liable to be put to personal inconvenience on that account, we 

 may refer to George, the third duke of Marlborough. 



Chap. II. 



Gardening as affected by different Climates, Habits of Life, and Manners. 



518. All gardening is relative to climate and prirpose. It is obvious that gardening, in 

 so far as respects the culture of plants, must differ in different climates, some of which 

 will be found favorable for fruits, others for flowers, for culinary vegetables, and for 

 timber-trees. Considered as an art of design, and as furnishing agreeable views, and 



