54 



A DISCOURSE 



BOOK II. we yet too much neglect the culture of ; but which, for all this, I do not 

 '-^'y^^ despair of seeing re-assumed when that good genius returns In order 

 to this hopeful prognostic, we will add a few directions about the 

 gathering of the leaves, to render this chapter one of the most accom- 

 plished, of certainly one of the most accornplished and agreeable works 

 in the world. 



11. The leaves of the Mulberry should be collected from trees of seven 

 or eight years old ; if of such as are very young, it impairs their growth, 

 neither are they so healthful for the worms, making them hydropical and 

 apt to burst ; as do also the leaves of such trees as be planted in a too 

 waterish or over rich soil, or where no sun comes ; and all sick and 

 yellow leaves are hurtful. It is better to clip, and let the leaves fall 

 upon a subtended sheet or blanket, than to gather them by hand ; and 

 to gather them, than to strip them, which mars and galls the branches, 

 and bruises the leaves that should hardly be touched . Some there are 



" tremble at the whizze of the gray-goose feather. 'Twaa then ancient hospitality was 

 " kept up in town and country, by which the tenants were enabled to pay their landlords 

 " at punctual day ; the poor were relieved bountifully ; and charity was as warm as the 

 " kitchen, where the fii-e was perpetual In those happy days, Surcfoot, the grave and 

 " steady mare, carried the good knight and his courteous lady behind him to church, and 

 " to visit the neighbourhood, without so many hell carts, rattling coaches, and crew 

 " of damme lacqueys, which a grave livery servant or two supplied, who rid before, and made 

 " way for his worship. Things of use were natural, plain, and wholesome ; r^othing was 

 " superfluous ; nothing necessary wanting ; and men of estate studied the public good, 

 " and gave example of true piety, loyalty, justice, sobriety, charity, and the good 

 " neighbourhood composed most differences. Perjury, suborning witnesses, alilTiony,^ 

 " avowed adulteries, and misses (publicly owned) were prodigies in those days, and laws 

 " were reason, not craft, when men's titles were secure, and they served their gene- 

 ration with honour j left their patrimonial estates improved to an hopeful heir, 

 who passmg from the free-school to the college, and thence to the inns of court, 

 " acquainting himself with a competent tincture of the laws of his country, followed the 

 " example of his worthy ancestors ; and if he travelled abroad, it was not to count steeples, 

 " and bring home feather and ribbon, and the sins of other nations, but to gain such 

 " experience as rendered him useful to his prince and country upon occasion, and 

 " confirmed him in the love of both of them above any other. The virgins and young 

 " ladies of that golden age, qucesiverv.nt lanam and Unum ; put their hands to the spindle, 

 " nor disdained they the needle ; were obsequious and helpful to their parents ; instructed 

 in the managery of the family, and gave presages of making excellent wives ; 

 nor then did they read so many romances, see so many plays and smutty farces^ 



