Tussy-mussies 
305 
Island ; the dense clusters of tiny aromatic flowers 
form a thick cushioned carpet under our feet. Lord 
Bacon says in his essay on Gardens : — 
u Those which perfume the air most delightfully, not 
passed by as the rest, but being trodden upon and crushed 
“White Umbrellas of Elder.” 
are three : that is, Burnet, Wild Thyme, and Water-Mints. 
Therefore you are to set whole alleys of them, to have the 
pleasure when you walk or tread.” 
Here we have an alley of Thyme, set by nature, 
for us to tread upon and enjoy, though Thyme 
always seems to me so classic a plant, that it is far 
too fine to walk upon ; one ought rather to sleep and 
dream upon it. 
X 
