II. Gardening, as affected by different States of Society
950. In those states of society, where property is in few hands, and the population consists chiefly of lords of the soil and of slaves, the immensely rich may accomplish great designs, which astonish by their magnificence; but taste among such a people is not likely to be refined : works of art are only prized as marks of wealth; their merit is not understood ; and therefore, declining in interest after the first burst of surprise, they are soon viewed with indifference, and afterwards neglected or destroyed. Gardening, in such circumstances, is not likely to be improved in any of its branches, or the use of gardens rendered general among any part of the population.
