1st Edition, 1658. p. ix TO MY WORTHY AND HONOURED FRIEND, NICHOLAS BACON, HAD OF GILLINGHAM, ESQUIRE. AD I not observed that purblind1 men [1] have discoursed well of sight, and some The Epistle without issue 2, excellently of generation; I, that Dedicatory. was never master of any considerable garden, had not attempted this subject. But the earth is the garden of nature, and each fruitful country a paradise. Dioscorides made most of his observations in his march about with Antonius; and Theophrastus raised his generalities chiefly from the field. Beside, we write no herbal, nor can this volume [2] deceive you, who have handled the massiest 3 thereof who know that three folios are yet too little, and how new herbais fly from America x upon us: from persevering enquirers, and old in those singularities, we expect such descriptions; 2 Dr. Harvey. 1 Plempius, Cabeus, &c. 3 Besleri, Hortus Eystetensis. 4 Bauhini, Theatrum Botanicum, &c. 5 My worthy friend Mr. Goodier, an ancient and learned botanist. The Epistle wherein England' is now so exact, that it yields Dedicatory. not to other countries. [3] Envy will have nothing new. [4] [5] We pretend not to multiply vegetable divisions by quincuncial and reticulate plants; or erect a new phytology. The field of knowledge hath been so traced, it is hard to spring any thing new. Of old things we write something new, if truth may receive addition, or envy will have any thing new; since the ancients knew the late anatomical discoveries, and Hippocrates the circulation. You have been so long out of trite learning, that 'tis hard to find a subject proper for you; and if you have met with a sheet upon this, we have missed our intention. In this multiplicity of writing, by and barren themes are best fitted for invention; subjects so often discoursed confine the imagination, and fix our conceptions unto the notions of forewriters. Beside, such discourses allow excursions, and venially admit of collateral truths, though at some distance from their principals. Wherein if we sometimes take wide liberty, we are not single, but err by great example 2. He that will illustrate the excellency of this xi order, may easily fail upon so spruce a subject, wherein we have not affrighted the common reader with any other diagrams, than of itself; and have industriously declined illustrations from rare and unknown plants. 1 As in London and divers parts, whereof we mention none, lest we seem to omit any. Hippocrates de Superfætatione, de Dentitione. Your discerning judgment, so well acquainted [6] with that study, will expect herein no mathe- The Epistle Dedicatory. matical truths, as well understanding how few Few genegeneralities and U finitas1 there are in nature; ralities in how Scaliger hath found exceptions in most nature. universals of Aristotle and Theophrastus; how botanical maxims must have fair allowance, and are tolerably current, if not intolerably overbalanced by exceptions. The Turks will have hereafter. You have wisely ordered your vegetable [7] delights, beyond the reach of exception. The Turks who passed their days in gardens here, will have also gardens hereafter, and delighting gardens in flowers on earth, must have lilies and roses in heaven. In garden delights 'tis not easy to hold a mediocrity; that insinuating pleasure is seldom without some extremity. The ancients venially delighted in flourishing gardens; many were florists that knew not the true use of a flower; and in Pliny's days none had directly xii treated of that subject. Some commendably affected plantations of venomous vegetables, some confined their delights unto single plants, and Cato seemed to dote upon cabbage; while the ingenuous delight of tulipists, stands saluted with hard language, even by their own professors 2. That in this garden discourse, we range into [8] extraneous things, and many parts of art and nature, we follow herein the example of old and 1 Rules without exceptions. 2 "Tulipo-mania," "Narrencruiid; " Laurenberg, Pet. Hondius in lib. Belg. The Epistle new plantations, wherein noble spirits contented Dedicatory. not themselves with trees, but by the attendance of aviaries, fish-ponds, and all variety of animals, they made their gardens the epitome of the earth, and some resemblance of the secular shows of old. [9] That we conjoin these parts of different subjects, or that this should succeed the other, your judgment will admit without impute of incongruity; since the delightful world comes after death, and paradise succeeds the grave; since the verdant state of things is the symbol of the resurrection, and to flourish in the state of glory, we must first be sown in corruption :beside the ancient practice of noble persons, to conclude in garden-graves, and urns themselves of old to be wrapt up in flowers and garlands. [10] "Nullum sine venia placuisse eloquium," is more sensibly understood by writers, than by readers; nor well apprehended by either, till works have hanged out like Apelles his pictures wherein even common eyes will find something for emendation. Pictures of [11] To wish all readers of your abilities, were 1 Of the most worthy Sir Edmund Bacon, prime baronet, xiii 1 |