Tuesday, June 20, to Thursday, June 22, 1710.
Quæ regio in terris nostri non plena laboris?
Virg., Æn. i. 460.
From my own Apartment. June 21.
I was this morning looking over my letters that I have lately received from my several correspondents; some of which referring to my late papers, I have laid aside, with an intent to give my reader a sight of them. The first criticises upon my greenhouse, and is as follows:
"Mr. Bickerstaff, "South Wales, June 7.
"This letter comes to you from my orangery, which I intend to reform as much as I can, according to your ingenious model, and shall only beg of you to communicate to me your secret of preserving grass-plots in a covered room;[317] for in the climate where my country-seat lies, they require rain and dews as well as sun and fresh air, and cannot live upon such fine food as your 'sifted weather.' I must likewise desire you to write over your greenhouse the following motto:
"Hic ver perpetuum, atque alienis mensibus æstas.
instead of your
"O! qui me gelidis sub montibus Hæmi
Sistat, et ingenti ramorum protegat umbrâ![318]
which, under favour, is the panting of one in summer after cool shades, and not of one in winter after a summer-house. The rest of your plan is very beautiful; and that your friend who has so well described it may enjoy it many winters, is the hearty wish of