Acetaria: A Discourse of Sallets by John Evelyn
page 14 of 180 (07%)
page 14 of 180 (07%)
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a most Innocent, Agreeable, and Useful Employment. But you may justly
wonder, and Condemn the Vanity of it too, with that Reproach_, This Man began to build, but was not able to finish! _This has been the Fate of that Undertaking; and I dare promise, will be of whosoever imagines (without the Circumstances of extraordinary Assistance, and no ordinary Expence) to pursue the_ Plan, _erect, and finish the_ Fabrick _as it ought to be_. _But this is that which_ Abortives _the Perfection of the most Glorious and Useful Undertakings; the Unsatiable Coveting to Exhaust all that should, or can be said upon every Head: If such a one have any thing else to mind, or do in the World, let me tell him, he thinks of Building too late; and rarely find we any, who care to superstruct upon the Foundation of another, and whose_ Ideas _are alike. There ought therefore to be as many_ Hands, _and_ Subsidiaries _to such a Design_ (_and those_ Matters _too_) _as there are distinct Parts of the Whole (according to the subsequent Table) that those who have the Means and Courage, may_ (_tho' they do not undertake the_ Whole) _finish a_ Part _at least, and in time Unite their Labours into one Intire, Compleat, and Consummate Work indeed_. _Of_ One _or_ Two _of these_, I _attempted only a_ Specimen _in my_ SILVA _and the_ KALENDAR; Imperfect, _I say, because they are both capable of Great Improvements: It is not therefore to be expected_ (_Let me use the Words of an Old, and Experienced_ Gardiner) Cuncta me dicturum, quae vastitas ejus scientiƦ contineret, sed plurima; nam illud in unius hominis prudentiam cadere non poterit, neque est ulla Disciplina aut Ars, quƦ singulari consummata sit ingenio. _May it then suffice_ aliquam partem tradidisse, _and that I have done |
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