LOUDON'S ARBORETUM ET FRUTICETUM BRITANNIC UM. 
135 
are introduced, are not sparingly scattered over these pages. Considering the 
tendency of such selections to render their subjects doubly delightful, and to attach 
to objects which are ever before our eyes agreeable or elevating sentiments, by 
metaphorically making them the mementos of impressions primarily conveyed 
through their imagery, we think our author has acted judiciously in their admission ; 
though it must be confessed, that, as they heighten the cost, they place the work 
farther beyond the means of the gardener. Few gardeners, indeed, can be 
supposed capable of procuring it. But we recommend every gentleman who 
desiderates economy and beauty, either to present his gardener with a copy, or to 
obtain it for himself, and allow an occasional perusal. 
In scanning the letter-press portion of this work, we are struck with the- 
author's amazing assiduity in amassing facts relative to the points discussed. 
Exact and comprehensive data are happily, in the present philosophical age, the 
only recognised means of arriving at a determinate knowledge of things. The 
disposition of the human mind to rush to general conclusions from imperfect pre- 
mises, or from merely isolated instances, is so fatal to the establishment of correct 
principles, that it cannot be too earnestly deprecated, or too warily avoided. Mr. 
Loudon has, therefore, wisely brought together a large body of instructive cases 
illustrative of the hardihood or other peculiarities of certain plants, and generally 
Jeft his readers to apply the beautiful inductive process of Lord Bacon in attaining 
accurate inferences. Under the head of Statistics, there is likewise a fund of 
interesting memorials concerning the age and size of individual trees now existing 
in the collections of this country, by which the admirers of particular species may 
ascertain where they can be seen in the greatest perfection. We would warmly 
invite attention to this circumstance ; because, as the majority of estates 
whose contents are here registered are easily accessible, cultivators can rectify the 
erroneous idea of the habit and appearance of a tree frequently formed from wit- 
nessing only a young specimen, obtain a more favourable view of plants they have 
before treated slightingly, and learn what are the conditions beneath which they 
attain their highest beauty. 
Another point which demands our notice, is the tact exhibited in the conden- 
sation of those boundless supplies of matter with which the author must have been 
furnished, into a compass just equivalent to their relative utility. We now refer 
principally to the descriptions of species, the practical directions for culture, and 
the statistical details. Twice the number of volumes might have been filled by 
an inexperienced individual, without entailing any additional advantage. Hence, 
by the excellence of the arrangement, the printing of everything of minor moment 
in a small type, and the avoidance of useless conjecture or superfluous ratiocination, 
the reader receives double the amount of positive information which a youno-er 
hand would have compressed into the same space. 
But while this author does not obtrude on us a number of silly suggestions 
which are never likely to be realized, we are happy to observe that he cannot be 
ranked with those who virtually attempt to suppress advancement in any science 
