2)6 
THE NATURAL HISTORY 
[LETT. 
proficients in mechanics, gardening, and architecture.^ The 
barons neglected every pursuit that did not lead to war or tend 
to the pleasure of the chase. 
It was not till gentlemen took up the study of horticulture 
themselves that the knowledge of gardening made such hasty 
advances. Lord Cobham, Lord Ila, and Mr. Waller of Beacons- 
field, were some of the first people of rank that promoted the 
elegant science of ornamenting without despising the superin- 
tendence of the kitchen quarters and fruit walls. 
A remark made by the excellent Mr. Eay in his Tour of 
Europe at once surprises us, and corroborates what has been 
advanced above ; for we find him observing, so late as his days, 
that " the Italians use several herbs for sallets, which are not 
yet or have not been but lately used in England, viz. selUri 
(celery), which is nothing else but tlie sweet smallage ; the 
young shoots whereof, with a little of the head of the root cut 
off, they eat raw with oil and pepper." And farther he adds, 
curled endive blanched is much used beyond seas ; and, for a 
raw sallet, seemed to excel lettuce itself." Now this journey 
was undertaken no longer ago than in the year 1663. 
Selborne, Jan. 8, 1778. 
^ Dahymple's " Annals of Scotland." 
woodchat's egg. 
