OF RURAL GARDENING., 



SECT. XT* 



deflroy it entirely, and fo plant it anew/' This obfer- 

 vation of Mr. Miller s, juftifies the advice given of 

 employing the mod Jkiljid in planning and directing 

 pleafure grounds. To proporti^iithe breadth of wafe, 

 the fize of carpets, calling and levelling of grounds, 

 parterres, &c. The difpofal of fountains, flatues, vafes, 

 dials, and other decorations of magnificence to moft ad- 

 vantage, xe^uires a particular addrefs, fays Mr. Evelyn, 

 or to fpeak more emphatically, a prophetic eye ; and 

 though the tafteisnot now what it was in Mr. Evelyn 's 

 time, yet, perhaps, the only difference is that more 

 •ikill is requifite. 



What has been faid of the difficulty of rural and ex- 

 tenfive gardening, is meant only as advice to proceed 

 with cautious fteps. The work is truly of the moll 

 worthy nature, and a tafle for it deferves to be cherifh- 

 ed. Mr. Shenjlone, in an ode on rural elegmcc, defends 

 his favourite employment thus : 



And oh I the tranfport, mod ally'd to fong, 

 In fome fair villa's peaceful bound, 

 To catch loft hints from Nature's tongue, 

 And bid Arcadia bloom around : 

 Whether we fringe the fl oping hill, 



Or fmoothe below the verdant mead ; 

 Whether we break the falling rill, 



Or through meandering mazes lead : 

 Or in the horrid bramble's room, 

 %ld carelefs groupes of rofes bloom : 

 Or let fome fnelter'd lake fcrene 

 Refiecl How'rs, woods, and fpires, and brighten all the 

 fcene ; 



O fweet difpofal of the rural hour ! 



O beauties never known to cloy ! 

 While worth and genius haunt the favour'd bow'r, 



And every gentle breaft partakes the joy ! 

 While Charity at eve farveys the fwain, 



Enabled by thefe toils to cheer 



A train of helnlefs infants dear, 



Spee4 



