Planting: Its Pleasures -- Vast Effect of the Writings of Evelyn in England, and Dr. Johnson in Scotland -- Evidences of the Growth of the Planting Spirit in all Parts of the Kingdom -- Wordsworth’s Complaint of the Larch in the Lake Country -- Larch Plantations of the Duke of Athol -- His calculated Profits -- Monteith of Stirling’s Calculations of the Profits of 100 Acres of Oak Planting in seventy years -- Anecdote of an extensive Planter 59 CHAPTER VII. Gardens -- Pleasures of them -- Retrospective View of English Gardens -- Influence of our Imaginative Writers on their Character -- Writers before the Reign of Elizabeth -- the Roman Style of Gardens under the name of Italian, French and Dutch Gardens, prevalent till the 18th Century, overturned by the Writings of Addison, Pope, and Walpole, and by the Works of Bridgman, Kent, and Brown -- Gardens of Hampton Court, Nonsuch, Theobalds, etc., as described by Hentzner in 1598 -- the Old Style of Gardens appropriate to the Old Houses and the Character of the Times -- Advantages of the Prevalence of different Tastes at different Periods pointed out -- Laborious Lives and Travels of our earlier Gardeners and Botanists -- our Old Gardens interesting objects in different parts of the Kingdom -- their Classical Antiquity pleaded in their favour 67 CHAPTER VIII. Country Excitements -- Diminution of the Enjoyment of Country Life by Petty Rivalries and Jealousies; and by the Neglect of Walking -- Racing a great cause of excitement to the Gentry in the Country -- the Present State of the Turf, as shewn by Nimrod -- Variety afforded by Race and Country Balls, Musical Festivals, etc. -- Confirmation -- Parade of Assize Time -- the Sheriff’s Pageant 77 PART II. LIFE OF THE AGRICULTURAL POPULATION. CHAPTER I. The English Farmer: his Character, and Mode of Life -- Picture of the approach to a Market-Town on a Market-Day -- Farmers going in and coming out -- Contrast between the Space occupied by the Concerns of the Farmer and the City Trader -- Enviable Aspect of the Farmer’s Abode -- his Life and Soul in his Profession -- his Conversation -- a great Charm in Nature working with him -- Delight which Poets and Great Men have found in Farming -- the Intellectual Grade of the Farmer -- Pressing Hospitalities of Farmers and their Wives -- a Sketch of one Day’s Feasting at a Farm-House -- Dinner, and its chaos of Good Things -- Tea, and the arrival of Fresh Guests -- who they are -- Traits of Character both of Men and Women of this Class -- the Dance, and the Departure 87 CHAPTER II.