VI 
INTRODUCTION TO 
for a rose-bud to expand its petals ! These remarks are made 
with no disposition, other than to exhibit the fact stated in the 
commencement of this article, and to call attention to a palpable 
error in the construction of city residences; for without trees, 
shrubbery and flowers, architectural designs, however beautiful, 
are but half developed. 
But, whilst we are criticising the inability to enjoy the charms 
of nature, as evinced by those who thus, of choice, live “cab- 
ined, cribbed, confined,” as if the only use of ground were to 
cover with brick and mortar ; when, frequently at less expense, 
they could enjoy more ample space, with the delights of a subur- 
ban garden, let us do justice to those who have exhibited for our 
pleasure, and as an incentive to follow their example, the beau- 
ties which they have contributed to create. And here we will 
take occasion to remark, that in addition “ to the benefits expe- 
rienced by breathing air unconfined by the close streets, and un- 
contaminated by the smoke of chimneys, the cheerful aspect of 
vegetation, the singing of birds in their season, and the enliven- 
ing effect of finding ourselves unpent-up by buildings,” is a further 
consideration of some moment, to persons whose means admit 
of the enjoyment of a suburban residence ; to quote the language 
of Mr. Loudon, “the great advantages which would result from 
bringing up children with a taste for garden pursuits and natural 
history, and the vast influence which this is calculated to have 
on their future happiness and the welfare of society, by enabling 
them, instead of passing their leisure hours in a degrading man- 
ner, to interest themselves in recreations both agreeable and use- 
ful. There is a great deal of enjoyment to be derived from per- 
forming the different operations of gardening, independently 
altogether of the health resulting from this kind of exercise. To 
labour for the sake of arriving at a result, and to be successful in 
attaining it, are, as cause and effect, attended by a certain degree 
of satisfaction to the mind, however simple or rude the labour 
may be, and however unimportant the result obtained. To be 
convinced of this, we have only to imagine ourselves employed in 
any labour from which no results ensue but that of fatiguing the 
body or wearying the mind ; the turning of a wheel, for example, 
that is connected with no machinery, or, if connected, effects no 
