SECT, r. 



GARDENING, 



7 



it more particularly, were the inclination of my youth 

 itfelf, fo they are the pleafures of my age, 



Le Plytehe jerftfy afferts, — Qf all the employments 

 in life, none is more fimple, natural, and entertaining, 

 than the cultivation of plants. 



Virgil of old, defcribes the happinefs of a cultivator 

 of the ground in gardening and planting, as equalling 

 all the opulence of kings, in the eafe, content, and 

 freedom of his mind. This is one of the mod -allured 

 truths ; and happy are they who are free from the en- 

 tanglements of artificial life, and not over-burthened 

 with honour and greatneis. 



' Gardening leads to planting and farming, of which, 

 collectively, Mr. Coiv'ey prettily fpeaks. — It is one oi 

 the bell natured delights of all others, for a rnan to 

 look about him, and fee iferthing but the effecls and 

 improvements of his own art. and diligence ; to be al- 

 ways gathering of fome fruits of it, and at the fame 

 time to behold others ripening, and others budding ; 

 to fee all his fields and gardens covered with the beau- 

 teous creatures of his own induftry ; and to fee, like 

 God, that all his works are good. 



Of a country life in general, Mr. C, fays, " We are 

 here among the vaft and noble fcenes of nature y where 

 we walk in the light and open ways of the divino 

 bounty, and whei:e our fenfes are feafted with the clear 

 and genuine lafte of their objeftfu" 



B 4 SECTION 



