Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V. ON THE APPLICATION OF THE " CLOSED" PLAN IN IMPROVING THE CONDITION OF THE POOR. E'en in the stifling bosom of the town, A garden in which nothing thrives, has charms That soothes the rich possessor; much consoled, That, here and there, some sprigs of mournful mint, Of nightshade, or valerian, grace the well He cultivates. These serve him with a hint That Nature lives, that sight-refreshing green Is still the livery she delights to wear, Though sickly samples of the exuberant whole. What are the casements lined with creeping herbs. The prouder sashes, fronted with a range Of orange, myrtle, or the fragrant weed, The Frenchman's darling? are they not all proofs That man, immured in cities, still retains His inborn, inextinguishable thirst Of rural scenes, compensating his loss By supplemental shifts, the best he may? The most unfurnished with the means of life, And they that never pass their brick-wall bounds, To range the fields, and treat their lungs with air, Yet feel the burning instinct; over head Suspend their crazy boxes, planted thick, And watered duly. There the pitcher stands, A fragment, and the spoutless tea-pot there; Sad witnesses how close-pent man regrets The country; with what ardour he contrives A peep at Nature, when he can no more. Cowper. The book of Nature is written in every language, and lies open to all the world. The works of Creation speak in the common voice of reason, and want no interpreter to explain their meaning, but are to be understood by people of all languages upon the face of the earth. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Sherlock. ON THE APPLICATION OF THE "CLOSED" PLAN IN IMPROVING THE CONDITION OF THE POOR. Among the numerous useful applications of the closed...
