WORK BY THE SAME AUTHOR. This day is published, in 2 vols. 8vo. 12s. a new edition of the COMPANION FOR THE KITCHEN GARDEN; BEING A HISTORY OF CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. BY HENRY PHILLIPS, F. H. S. In this work, the object of the Author has been to render the knowledge of Plants entertaining and useful, not only to Botanists, but to those who have hitherto deemed it a difficult and uninteresting science. He has endeavoured to ascertain of what Countries the Vegetables now cultivated are natives, the earliest account of their cultivation, and how far they have improved by attention, or degenerated by neglect; also the various uses made of them by the Ancients, as well as the Moderns, of different Countries. BARON COCKERMOUTH, LORD LIEUTENANT AND CUSTOS &c. &c. &c. MY LORD, THE being allowed the honour of dedicating this enlarged edition of my Work on Fruits to a Nobleman who has so greatly promoted the arts of Horticulture and Agriculture in my native country; is a gratification far beyond what can be derived by those who seek exalted rank for patronage only; and my ambition will be fully satisfied, should the labours I have bestowed on my orchard meet the approbation of one who possesses the discernment of your Lordship, whose favour, therefore, will be a strong recommendation to the dessert I have prepared. I remain, MY LORD, Your Lordship's most devoted, And obedient Servant, HENRY PHILLIPS. INTRODUCTION. 2 "who studies Nature's laws, Sincerest pleasures from the country draws; And while the Arts his friendly aid receive, For him, and him alone, does nature live." Delille. HISTORIANS generally seem to dwell with enthusiasm on the splendid achievements in which the cannon, the sword, and the bayonet, are chiefly instrumental; we, however, regard these implements of destruction with far less reverence than we bestow on the spade, the rake, and the pruning-knife, which enhance the beauties of the spring, and the luxuries of the summer, make our vats overflow in autumn, and secure us comforts for the winter. Not that we are insensible to the merits of the brave defenders of our country; but we wish to see those, whose talents and industry have so greatly enriched these kingdoms by their attention to horticulture, partaking of the admiration and gratitude of a people who are daily enjoying the fruits of their labours. Has the most splendid campaign which our history boasts secured the nation a treasure equal in value to the potatoe plant? or would we renounce the possession of ten of our best adopted fruits to double the acquisitions of the last ten wars? For it is not (says the elegant Bernardin St. Pierre) upon the face of vast dominions, but into the bosom of industry, that the Father of Mankind pours out the -abundant fruits of the Earth. The ingenuity of the horticulturist, and the industry of the cultivator may be said to have brought the south ten degrees nearer to our shores, within these last three centuries a fact which, although imperceptible to us who have moved with the current, would be instantly acknowledged by our ancestors of the sixteenth century, could they be recalled to witness our gardens blushing with the fruits of Persia, our trees purpling with the drupes of Damascus, our hills ornamented with the cedars of Libanus, our valleys embellished by the spiral blossoms of the Asiatic chesnut, our cottages covered with the roses of China, and even some of our woods beautified by the violet blossoms of the American rhododendron, to say nothing of our numerous "Ambrosial gardens, in which art supplies The fervour and the force of Indian skies." That the British nation has carried commercial enterprises to an unparalleled extent and success, all countries allow; that it excels in manufactures and arts, our works prove to all the admiring world; but that this northern island is beautified by plantations that surpass Italian scenery, and blessed with fruits that rival those of China, none will believe until they visit this land "where mortals dare To vanquish nature and correct the air." Wars and dissensions are indigenous to barbarous soils; commerce and agriculture are natives of civilized lands; but horticulture is only to be found in countries where a high degree of refinement is cultivated. It was introduced to us by commerce, and flourished on the banks of the Thames when trade seated herself in our capital. They have journeyed together through every part of these realms, and where one has smiled, the other has pros |
