age. And whatever you may think of this small piece, it cost the Author many years search, and no small expence, there being not extant (in our language) any work of this subject so necessary and so brief. He had consultation with all Gentlemen, Scholars, nay not a Gardiner in England (of any note) but made use of his discoveries, and confirmed his inventions by their own experience And whatever they discovered (such was his modesty) he freely acknowledges by naming the authors, sometimes in words at length, as Mr. Hill, Mr. Taverner, Mr. Pointer, Mr. Colborn, Mr. Melinus, Mr. Simson, and sometimes by T. T. A. P. &c. Whatever is his own, hath no name at all, unless sometimes (and that not often) he add H. P. at the end of the paragraph. And when he refers you to some other part of the Book, 'tis according to the number or section, not the page, for that only serves for the table. He wrote other pieces of natural philosophy, whereunto he subjoyned an excellent abstract of Cornelius Agrippa de Occulta hilosophia; but they fell into ill hands, and worse times. As for this Collection of Flowers and Fruits, I would say (if I had not so near relation to it) that no Englishman that hath a garden or orchard can handsomely be without it; but at least by having it, will find a large benefit. And all Ladies and Gentlemen, by reading these few leaves may not only advance their knowledge and observation when they walk into a garden, but discourse more skilfully of any Flower, Plant, or Fruit than the Gardiner himself, who (in a manner) grows there night and day. Farewel C. B.

The Author's Epistle to all Gentlemen, Ladies, and all others delighting in God's vegetable Creatures.

Having out of mine own experience, as also by long conference with divers Gentlemen of the best skill and practice, in the altering, multiplying, enlarging, planting, and transplanting of sundry sorts of Fruits and Flowers, at length obtained a pretty volume of experimental observations in this kind and not knowing the length of my days, nay, assuredly knowing that they are drawing to their period, I am willing to unfold my napkin, and deliver my poor talent abroad, to the profit of some, who by their manual works, may gain a greater employment than heretofore in their usual callings: and to the pleasuring of others, who delight to see a rarity spring out of their own labors, and provoke Nature to play, and shew some of her pleasing varieties, when she hath met with a stirring workman.

I hope, so as I bring substantial and approved matter with me, though I leave method at this time to schoolmen, who have already written many large and methodical volumes of this subject (whose labors have greatly furnished our studies and libraries, but little or nothing altered or graced our gardens and orchards) that you will accept my skill, in such a habit and form as I shall think most fit and appropriate for it; and give me leave rather to write briefly and confusedly, with those that seek out the practical and operative part of Nature, whereunto but a few in many ages have attained, than formally and largely to imitate her theorists, of whom each age affordeth great store and plenty.

And though amongst these two hundred experiments, there happen a few to fail under the workman's hand (which yet may be the operator's mistake, not mine) yet seeing they are such as carry both good sense and probability with them, I hope in your courtesie I shall find you willing to excuse so small

a number, because I doubt not, but to give good satisfaction in the rest.

And let not the concealing, or rather the figurative describing of my last and principal secret, withdraw your good and thankful acceptation, from all that go before, on which I have bestowed the plainest and most familiar phrase that I can: for Jo. Baptista Porta himself, that gallant and glorious Italian, without craving any leave or pardon, is bold to set down in his Magia Naturalis, amongst many other conclusions of Art and Nature, four of his secret skils, (viz. the secret killing of men, the precipitation of salt out of sea-water, the multiplying of corn two hundred fold, which elsewhere I have discovered: and the puffing up of a little paste, to the bigness of a foot-ball) in an obscure and ænigmatical phrase. And I make no question, but that if he had known this part of vegetable philosophy, he would have penned the same as a sphinx, and roled it up in the most cloudy and darksome speech that he could possibly have devised.

This author, I say, hath emboldened me, and some writers of more worth and higher reach than himself, have also charged me not to disperse or divulgate a secret of this nature, to the common and vulgar eye or ear of the world.

And thus having acquainted you with my long, costly, and laborious collections, not written at adventure, or by an imaginary conceit in a scholar's private study, but wrung out of the earth by the painful hand of experience: and having also giyen you a touch of nature, whom no man as yet ever durst send naked into the world without her veil; and expecting by your good entertainment of these, some encouragement for higher and deeper discoveries hereafter, I leave you to the God of Nature, from whom all the true light of Nature proceedeth.

H. P. Knight."

The Second Part of the Garden of Eden.

1765. pp. 159.

1080

"To the Reader.

Ir were very vain to commend the First Part of the Garden of Eden, which hath been so often welcomed into the world in so short a time; for (without foolish apologies, which are but officious lies) we can assure you it hath had four impressions in less than six years. The benefit it brings is as well known to the Country as to the London Stationer. Only let me inform you, that a Second Part, full as large as the First, is here presented you; and (if possibly upon reading you could doubt its integrity) you may at pleasure see the original manuscript, under the Author's own hand, which is too well known to undergo the suspition of a counterfeit. Therefore if heretofore the First Part of the Garden of Eden were a useful book, this is now much more, when the Garden is enlarged, and far better stored. You will soon find if truth be not now told you.

Elizabetha quasi vivens. Eliza's Funerall. A fewe Aprill Drops, showred on the Hearse of dead Eliza: or, the funerall Tears of a true hearted Subject. By H.P.

London, printed by E. Allde for M. Lawe, dwelling in Paule's Church-yard, heere unto Saint Austen's gate, 1603.

[Quarto. Fourteen leaves.]

OF HENRY PETOWE, author of this and of the suc ceeding article, entitled " England's Cæsar," ho notice appears to have been transmitted by any of our poetical biographers. It is not improbable that he was some dependant on the Court, as he speaks (in his dedication) of his private sorrows for the loss of Queen Elizabeth, and pays such quickly-succeeding congratulation to her regal successor. It is dedicated

To the worthy and curteous Gentleman, Mr. Richard Hildersham, H. P. wisheth increase of worship and virtue.

I have (worshipfull and wise) contrary to the expectation of many, presumed to publish the formall manner of my private sorrows, for the great losse of your late deceased Lady-Mistress, and England's Soveraigne. And knowing your Worship a sad and pensive mourner for so great a losse, I have made bold to shrowd my teares under your sad garment: which if you deigne to shadowe from the heate of envie, there is no fire of malice can have power to partch them. Shrowd them at your pleasure, keepe them no longer than you please to mourne, which, I knowe, will be of long continuance: not that you have cause by this late change, but that the memorial of so sweet a Princes cannot be sodainly buried in oblivion. God graunt that the auncient saying in this barter may be verified; which is- We have changed for the better.' Is it possible a better than shee should succeed? But what is impossible with the Almightie? What Eliza was in her life you know: nay, the world knows her fame girdles the earth. What her Successor hath been in his kingdom of Scotland, his subjects they know, and we have heard, which hath been much to God's glory, his countrie's peace, and his Majestie's honour. Therefore, since it hath pleased God to continue his wonted favour towards us, in bless