72 A DISCOURSE 



BOOK II. the florist, in the mean time, priding himself as if he had found the 

 ^"^'^'^'"^^ grand elixir, performed some notable achievement, or discovered a new 

 country. 



This for the defects, (for such are those variegations produced by prac- 

 tice, or mixture, mangonisms, and starving the root,) of a fading flower : 

 how much more honour then were due in justice to those persons, who 

 bring in things of much real benefit to their country ? especially trees for 

 fruit and timber ; the Oak alone, (beside the shelter it afforded to our late 

 Sovereign Charles II.) having so often saved and protected the whole na- 

 tion from invasion, and brought it in so much wealth from foreign coun- 

 tries. I have been told there was an intention to have instituted an Order 

 of the Royal Oak ; and truly I should think it to become a green ribbon, 

 next to that of St. George, superior to any of the romantic badges to 

 which is paid such veneration abroad, deservedly to be worn by such as 

 have signalized themselves by their conduct and courage, in the defence 

 and preservation of their country. Bespeaking my reader's pardon for 

 this digression, we now proceed to other useful exotics. 



