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HAWKIE
could sketch almost any trade or profession
when he was in the humour to do so. Here is one he often gave on the
qualities of a rural gardener :—
"There is no man that has more business upon earth than my friend, the
gardener. He, the said gardener, always chooses good ground for
what he does. He commands his thyme, he is master of his mint,
and fingers penny royal. He raises his celery every
year, and it is a bad year indeed that he does not produce a plum.
He meets with more boughs (bows) than a minister of State; he
possesses more beds than the French King, and has in them more
painted ladies, and more genuine roses and lilies than
are to be found at any of our country weddings.
"He makes raking his business
more than his diversion, as many gentlemen in this city do; but he makes
it an advantage to his health and prosperity, which few others do. He can
boast of more rapes than any other rake
in the kingdom. His wife, notwithstanding, has
enough of lad’s love and heart’s ease, and never wishes for
weeds (blessed woman !). Distempers fatal on others never hurt him.
He walks the better for the gravel, and thrives more even in
consumption. He can boast of more bleeding hearts than any
lady, and more laurels (if possible) than the most renowned hero.
But his greatest pride and the world’s envy is, he can have yew or
want yew just as he pleases," |
