DEDICATION.

ΤΟ

CHARLES JOHN CLARKE TOWERS.

MY DEAR CHARLES,

You will be surprised, and will no doubt smile, when you see a book of this kind addressed to you. The fact is, I had begun it some years ago, before your jacket had sprouted forth into a tail, and when I thought you would have become an indigenous plant, and have rooted in your paternal homestead. But this was not to be; you were destined (though I hope for no very long period) to be an exotic in the heated soil, and under the burning. climate, of the East.

That which I hoped might please you, I thought would not be wholly uninteresting to

others who are of the age you were when I commenced the work; I therefore resolved to complete it; and here it is, with all its defects of omission and commission.

May you realize all our sanguine hopes for your welfare. May you acquire an honourable competence, and return to those who love and regard you; and when your season of life draws to its close, may you drop into your mother's bosom-the earth-like a mellow and uncankered fruit," in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in its season."

God bless you, my dear Charles!

Believe me to be,

Your affectionate Uncle and Friend,

December 15th, 1833.

THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.

TO THE YOUNG READER.

IF you, my dear young friend, are fond of flowers, and trees, and fruits, and would feel pleased to cultivate them, I hope this little book may prove useful to you; and if you love the beautiful face of Nature-its green fields, the shining sun, and the sailing clouds, I think you will not be disappointed with some of the descriptions you will read in it; and if you are of a disposition to be kind and gentle to all around you, I have no fear but that you will number among your friends, Adam, the GARDENER.