ished gardening, by taking that
for his theme; and shows, that though his eyes deprived him of the
benefit of seeing, yet his mind was wonderfully moved with the
philosophy, innocence, and beauty of this employ; his books, though
mixed with other subjects, being a kind of a philosophical body of
gardening, as well as divinity. Happy man! _had his pen been employed on
no other subject_."

It must be needless reminding my reader, that Mr. Walpole's powerful pen
has taken care that our mighty poet, (who "on evil days, though fallen,
and with darkness and solitude compassed round,") shall not be
_defrauded of half his glory_.

It is gratifying to remark, that an edition of Paradise Lost is now
announced for publication, in which the zeal of its spirited proprietors
has determined, that every word shall be printed in letters of gold. The
sanction of some of our most distinguished divines, and men of high
rank, evince the pride with which we all acknowledge the devout zeal and
mighty powers of the blind poet.

[83] Mr. Garrick's fondness for ornamental gardening, induced him finely
to catch at this invention, in his inimitable performance of Lord
Chalkstone.

[84] Dr. Pulteney relates this anecdote of Mr. Miller: "He was the only
person I ever knew who remembered to have seen Mr. Ray. I shall not
easily forget the pleasure that enlightened his countenance, it so
strongly expressed the _Virgilium tantum vidi_, when, in speaking of
that revered man, he related to me that incident of his youth." I regret
that Mr. Ray only meditated a work to have been entitled _Horti_ Angliae.
Had he written it, I should have felt a singular pride in introducing
his valued name in the present imperfect volume.

[85] The generous minded reader will be gratified by referring to the
kind tribute, paid to the memory of Shenstone, by Mr. Loudon, at p. 76
of his Encyclopaedia. Of this Encyclopaedia, Mr. Johnson, in his History
of Gardening, thus speaks:--"Taken as a whole, it is the most complete
book of gardening ever published;"--and that, with the exception of
chymistry, "every art and science, at all illustrative of gardening, are
made to contribute their assistance."

[86] In his "Unconnected Thoughts" he admires the _Oak_, for "its
majestic appearance, the rough grandeur of its bark, and the wide
protection of its branches: a large, branching, aged oak, is, perhaps,
the most venerable of all inanimate objects."

[87] Tea was the favouri