Herefordshire orchards, a pattern for all England written in an epistolary address to Samuel Hartlib, Esq. / by I.B.

The Answer.

1. That it is now too late to po∣lish any parts of those letters with such accuratenesse, as becomes a piece drest for severe judgements. If it must fly abroad, it must go as it is, all parts alike, in the free garb of a naturall simplicity; written with speed, and with more care of truth, than of fit words.

Instead of a Translation of Colu∣mella's sentence pag. 12. lin. 19. I would annex this short English gloss; That which is far fetcht, may have little familiarity with our soyl, and

may a long time take it unkindly to be banisht from its native place.

I dare not adventure for an exact translation, having no other edition but that of Hieron. Commeline 1595, which is so full of errours, that I suspect every line. It were an excellent work, if any man would publish a well-corrected co∣py of the four Roman Husbandmen, they being rare Monuments of Antiquity; the first, namely that of Cato the Cen∣sor, being almost 2000 yeares old. Being now destitute of Libraries, if I should undertake it, having no one old exem∣plar upon which I should frame my con∣jecture, at the best successe, I should shew more wit than honesty. For I hold it a most pernicious presumption, to in∣trude our own phansies instead of such great Authorities.

Page 25. line 23. the Latine may be untranslated, being but a rationall infe∣rence, to authorize that which is there said in English.

Page 27. line 9. To the worlds end. I use these words in a vulgar sense. For in very truth, and well-grounded Theolo∣gy, we have no reason to conceive it to belong now, before the world shall

be changed or consumed by the last fire.

Pag. 28. line 5. To explain this per Quin∣cuncem to the dullest, we may add these English words; as in a diaper-napkin, or in common glasse-windows, which is the rhombular figure.

I dare adventure to use no more than the first letters of some mens names, least I have blame for my good meaning. As in this I have merited little, so I expect no better reward: yet you have very much obliged me ever to subscribe,

Yours unfeignedly I. B.

The Reader may be further adverti∣sed, that upon Mr. Hartlib's motion, the argument of Herefordshire Orchards is by the same hand explained, confirmed, and for all capacities amplified on a much larger discourse, reduced to the form of a familiar dialogue, and now coming forth.