, 1868-12-11
The Praise of Gardens.

the perfect condition of mankind Garden
ers ourselves by birthright, we always N.Y.
thoogize and plant our Edens in the East
Of us, like our ancestors; the sacredneSs of
earth and heaven still clnging to the tiler
Of the ground. Him we esteem the pattern
man, the most favored of any. His labors
have charming innocency They yield the
grains OF self respect denied to other calls
ings. His Is an occupation friendly to
every virtue the freest of any from cove
tousness aud debR'ng cares. 1T is full of
honest profits, manly labors, and brings and
administers all necessaries gives the largest
leisure for study and recreation, while il
answers most teuderly the hospitalities of
friendship and the claims at home. The
delight OF children, the pastime Of woman,
the privilege of the poor man, as it is the
ornament of the gentleman, the praise of the
scholar, the security of the citizen, il places
man, in the truest relations to the world in
which he lives. And be who is i,seusible
to these pleasures must lack some chord in
the harp of humanity, worshiping, if he
worships, at some strange shrine.
THE PLEASURES OF LABOR.
know not how it is with Others, to me
the spring invitations are irresistible.
may be scholarly inclined, and my tasks in-
doors delightful, yet my garden claims me,
mOnopolizing all my morning holrs, and
know for me has come the seasons summons
which l shall not set aside no, not for stud.
les nor hospitalities which become 1vals for
my time and attentions. My garden waits !;
is the ciyiler host, the better entertainer.
Then | have a religion in this business, and
duties must waive compliments. My tasks
are not postponable during the summer days
if called away from these engagements,
shall first take counsel of my plants for leave
of absence, with intent of fastening back.
opportunities were impertinent while the
spell is on me. Would the sun shine all
night-long for my work to continue Sure
of gathering the better crop, l bend to my
task, foreseeng the avails of leisure coming
in at the close of my autumn ronnds.
Ne, let my poverty to ease resign
| When my bright heart reflects its blazing cheer
ln season let me plant the plant viue,,
Aud, with light hand, my swelling apples rear
Such tolls are wholesome. One cannot
afford to dispense with their income of vigor.
Then they fill the days with varied business,
the mind gliding from head to hands, and
from hands 10 head, in pleasing interludcs,
pour fsrs him 50 deep draught Of Lethe,
and so refreshing that the morning breaks
only to release the sleeper to begin anew his
labors with the old enthusiasm. Even the
stiffness of his fatigues promotes rectitude
and purity of carriage; his hearty affection
for his pursuit shedding lustre on all be
takes in hand. His garden is ever charm,
ing, always Opportune He walks there
at all hours, at sunrise, noon, nightfal. find
ing more than he sought in it, each success
sive visit being as new as the first.
THE DIGNITY OF THE GARDENER.
His is no mere cloud tilage, nor unpros
ductive earth culture. The armament over
head reflects its lustre in its mind the mists
ascend there from the watered ground be
meath, and he sows the mingled sense and
sunshine over his rich fields, enricLing both
them and himself He takes account of the
double harvest of profits. both rewardng
him for his pleasures and painstakings. He
is faithful counselor and genial moralist
the ground holds strict terms with him nor
weeds nor nettles have tales to tell, since
they cannot thrive under his shadow. He
minds his proper affairs is industrious, pune,
tual homekeeper aud timekeeper no less
taking his tasks diligently as they rise His
work begins with the spring, and continues
till winter, nor has he many spare minutes
the slipping away of twelve hours being the
loss of twelvesmonth, unless be do that
instantly which ought to be done at the
| moment.
Taking timely counsel of his experience,
he adapts his labors to the seasons as they
pass has his eve on soil and sun at once.
Nor shall think the less of his piety, if he
be touched little with that amiable SUPER
stition concerning rhe planetary influences
since it ill becomes him to hold lightly any
faith that serves to brighten his affections
and establish sweet relationships between
himself and natural things. In sympathy
with earth and heaven, these conspire for
his benefit all helping to fructify and ripen
his crops 1t is unlawful to regard them as
enemies of human tilIage Gracefully the
seasons co ne round for weaving into his
fancy, if not his faith, the Old Worlds ritual
as a religion of engagements. He is an
ephemeris ard weather glass. He has his
signs, too, and aspects, his seasons, periods
and stints. The months sway him. What
if be sympathizes with the year as it rolls !;
take equiuoctially his March and September?
Will bis intermediate times be less genial in
consequence. or his April fail of distilliug
mystic moods with her fertiliziDg rains
His winter may come boar with ideas, and
brown October shall be his golden age of
orchards and their ambrosia. And as June
best displays the gardens freshness, so 0c-
tober celebrates the orchards opulence, to
crown the gardener for his labors. The
golden days running fast and full have not
run to waste. Orchards and gardens bloom
again. He harvests the richer crop these
have rlpened bright efiuences, of the stars,
for the feast OF thought and the flow of dis
course. Having thus gathered the first
roses of spring and the last apples of au-
tumn.' he is ready to dispute felicity with
the happiest man living, and to chant his
pean OF praise for his prosperity.-A BrOR>
! SON AZooff's Tablets