But the English name is--"Or a Garden of
all sorts of pleasant flowers which our English ayre will permitt to
be noursed up;" and on the top of every page is written "The Garden of
Pleasant Flowers," and it says--"Collected by John Parkinson,
Apothecary of London, and the King's Herbarist, 1629."
I had to think a minute to remember who was the king then, and it was
King Charles I.; so then I knew that it was Queen Henrietta to whom
the book was dedicated. This was the dedication:--
"TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
"MADAME,--Knowing your Majesty so much delighted with all
the fair flowers of a Garden, and furnished with them as far
beyond others as you are eminent before them; this my Work
of a Garden long before this intended to be published, and
but now only finished, seemed as it were destined to be
first offered into your Highness's hands as of right,
challenging the propriety of Patronage from all others.
Accept, I beseech your Majesty, this speaking Garden, that
may inform you in all the particulars of your store as well
as wants, when you cannot see any of them fresh upon the
ground: and it shall further encourage him to accomplish the
remainder; who in praying that your Highness may enjoy the
heavenly Paradise, after many years' fruition of this
earthly, submitteth to be your Majesties,
"In all humble devotion,
"JOHN PARKINSON.
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