4 



THE PRAISE Of 



SECT. I, 



I ftrait betook myfelf to trace the laws 

 Of nature, upwards to its fruitful cau fe 

 And, digging mines of true philoiophy, 

 The myftic ftone I found, whofe energy 

 Apply'd, tranfmutes fome matter, fome fublimes. 

 Drawing within my circle golden times. 



Often amufed with feats of gardening. 



Delightful exercife, I work and fing ! 



And moving cheerful feel not half my toil, 



Like fwains that whiftle, while they plough the foil* 



Should any difbelieve, I here invite 



Such infidels to come, and truft their fight. 



j — Uncorrupt and happy days were thofe 

 When Roman Confuls exercifed their hoes ; 

 Whofe leifure hours in country cares were fpent, 

 And whofe diverfions all were innocent. 

 Oft their own labours furniftVd out their feaft, 

 And thus their fruits and fallads relifh'd beft. 



Art of Gardening. 



& # * * * * 



Mr. Evelyn, who had fo great knowledge and ex- 

 perience in the way of gardening, fpeaks its praife in 

 thefe words : Though the gardener's life be a labori- 

 ous one, yet is it full of tranquillity and satisfa&ion. 

 A condition furnifhed with the moft innocent, laudable 

 and pureft of earthly felicities ; and fuch as does cer- 

 tainly make the neareft approaches to that blefled Hate, 

 where only they enjoy all things without pains. 



* # * # # * 



Mr. Addifon fays, I look upon the pleafure which 

 we take in a garden, as one of the moft innocent de- 

 lights of human life. A garden was the habitation of 

 our firft parents before the fall. It is naturally apt to 

 fill the mind with calmnefs and tranquillity, and to lay 



