ftady to recede from Nature, not only in the va rious tonsure of greens into the most regular and formal fhapes, but even in monstrous attempts beyond the reach of the art itself: we run into fculpture, and are yet better pleased to have our Trees in the most aukward figures of men and animals, than in the most regular of their own.

Hinc et nexilibus videas e frondibus hortos,
Implexos late muros, et moenia circum
Porrigere, et latas e ramis furgere turres ;
Deflexam et myrtum in puppes, atque area rofira:
In buxifque andare fretum, atque e rore rudentes,
Parte alia frondere fuis tentoria caftris ;
Scutaque, Spiculaque, et jaculantia citría vallos.

I believe it is no wrong obfervation, that perfons of genius, and those who are moft capable of as fuch are art, áré always most fond of nature; chiefly fenfible, that all art confifts in the imitation and study of nature: On the contrary, people of the common level of understanding are principally delighted with the little niceties and fantastical operations of art, and constantly think that finest which is least nátural. A Citizen is no fooner proprietor of a couple of Yews, but he entertains thoughts of erecting them into Giants, like those of Guildhall. I know an eminent Cook, who beautified his country feat with a Coronation-din

ner in greens, where you fee the Champion flourifhing on horfeback at one end of the table, and the Queen in perpetual youth at the other.

A

For the benefit of all my loving countrymen of this curious taste, I fhall here publish a catalogue of Greens to be difpofed of by an eminent TownGardiner, who has lately applied to me upon this head. He reprefents, that for the advancement of a politer fort of ornament in the Villa's and Gardens adjacent to this great city, and in order to diftinguish thofe places from the meer barbarous countries of grofs nature, the world ftands much in need of a virtuofo Gardiner, who has a turn to fculpture, and is thereby capable of improving upon the ancients, in the imagery of Ever-greens. I proceed to his catalogue.

Adam and Eve in Yew; Adam, a little fhattered

by the fall of the Tree of Knowledge in the great ftorm; Eve and the Serpent very flourishing.

Noah's ark in Holly, the ribs a little damaged for want of water.

The Tower of Babel, not yet finished.

St. George in Box; his arm scarce long enough, but will be in a condition to ftick the Dragon by next April.

A green Dragon of the fame, with a tail of GroundIvy for the prefent.

NB Those two hot to be fold feparately. Edward the-Black Prince in Cypress.

155

A Lauruftine Bear in Bloffom, with a Juniper Hunter in Berries.

A pair of Giants, ftunted, to be fold cheap. A Queen Elizabeth in Phyllirea, a little inclining ♫ to the green sickness, but of full growth. Another Queen Elizabeth in Myrtle, which was very forward, but mifcarried by being too near a Savinė.

An old Maid of honour in Wormwood."

A topping Ben. Johnfon in Laurel.~

6

Divers eminent modern Poets in Bays, fomew nat blighted, to be difpofed of a pennyworth.

A quick-fet Hog fhot up into a Porcupine, by being forgot a week in rainy weather.

vd

A Lavender Pigg, with Sage growing in his belly. A pair of Maidenheads in Firr, in great forwardnels.

2

He also cutteth family pieces of men, women, and children, fo that any gentleman may have his lady's effigies in Myrtle, or his own in Hornbeam.

Thy Wife fhall be as the fruitful Vine, and thy Children as Olive-branches round thy table,

1

PREFACE

то

I

HOMER's ILIAD.

H

OMER is univerfally allowed to have had the greateft Invention of any writer whatever. The praife of Judgment Virgil has juftly contested with him, and others may have their pretenfions as to particular excellencies; but his Invention remains yet unrival'd. Nor is it a wonder if he has ever been acknowledged the greatest of poets, who most excelled in that which is the very foundation of poetry. It is the invention that in different degrees diftinguishes all great Genius's: The utmost stretch of human study, learning, and industry, which mafter every thing befides, can never attain to this. It furnishes Art with all her materials, and without it, Judgment itself can at beft but fleal wifely: For Art is only like a prudent steward that lives on managing the riches of Nature. Whatever praises may be given to works of Judgment, there is not even a fingle beauty in them, to which the Invention muft not contribute. As in the

moft regular gardens, Art can only reduce the beauties of Nature to more regularity, and fuch a figure, which the common eye may better take in, and is therefore more entertained with. And perhaps the reason why common Criticks are inclined to prefer a judicious and methodical genius to a great and fruitful one, is, because they find it easier for themfelves to pursue their obfervations through an uniform and bounded walk of Art, than to comprehend the vast and various extent of Nature.

Our author's work is a wild paradife, where if we cannot see all the beauties fo diftinctly as in an ordered garden, it is only because the number of them is infinitely greater. "Tis like a copious nurfery which contains the feeds and first productions of every kind, out of which thofe who followed him have but selected some particular plants, each according to his fancy, to cultivate and beautify. If fome things are too luxuriant, it is owing to the richness of the foil; and if others are not arrived to perfection or maturity, it is only because they are over-run and oppreft by those of a stronger nature.

It is to the strength of this amazing invention we are to attribute that unequal'd fire and rapture, which is fo forcible in Homer, that no man of a true poetical spirit is master of himself while he reads him. What he writes, is of the most animated nature imaginable; every thing moves, every thing lives, and