INTRODUCTION. RURAL Scenery is so congenial to the human mind, that there are few persons who do not indulge the hope of retiring at some period into the country. Its peculiar and gentle pleasures are suited to all ages and every rank of life, and afford not less gratification to the general observer, than to the philosopher, the poet, or the painter. Works of art generally require from their votaries time, thought, and a particular study, in order to become acquainted with their beauties: but we have only to see nature, to love and admire her. Every one feels himself touched by her effects,-enlivened by scenes of verdure, freshness, and fragrance,-aroused by the roar of the cataract,-or soothed almost to repose by the setting sun gilding the western skies, and illuminating the tops of the distant mountains. Who has not felt the varied effect of the seasons, or even the no less amazing variety of a single day? Who does not feel himself animated by the rising splen dour of the morning? Who has not felt the heat and excess of noon, the serenity and magnificence of evening, and the solemnity and grandeur of night? If there be any one whose frozen soul has never felt the energy of such scenes, to him it is in vain to recommend them; to others no recommendation is wanting. Those who enjoy a country residence have ån opportunity of adding to the charms of rural scenery, the pleasures resulting from agriculture and gardening. These recreations are almost equally congenial with the human mind; and the pleasure that attends their pursuit is still farther recommended by their utility in life and their influence on society. The cultivation of a garden was the first employment given to man; and agriculture and planting have been pursued by some of the greatest men in every age; many of whom have left ample testimonies of the satisfaction which they derived from practising those arts. "God Almighty first planted a garden,” says Lord Bacon; "and indeed it is the purest of human pleasures. It is the greatest refreshment to the spirits of man; without which, buildings and palaces are but gross handyworks." Such is the superiority of rural occupations and pleasures, that commerce, large societies, or crowded cities, may be |