284 THE FLORIST. 



A TRTP TO KEW GARDENS 

 VIA RICHMOND AND THE BANKS OF THE THAMES. 



NO. II. 



Now then let us enter and stroll through the Gardens pleasantly, 

 easily, gently ; sit where we like, lie where we like, and do as we 

 like ; which, I am sure, cannot be otherwise than the Director, Sir 

 William Hooker, himself would like ; for indeed we owe him much — 

 an entrance at one o'clock every day of the week, and a book for 

 sixpence, full of good information, and woodcuts to assist the visitor. 

 But why no admission till one o'clock ? you ask ; and well you may. 

 Shame on the " Woods and Forests" that it is not at nine in- 

 stead ; and we should like John Bull to tell them so in his own 

 civil, undeniable way. But, foolish fellow, he allows thousands to 

 be squandered in numberless senseless ways ; yet whenever he is 

 asked to spend money on a gallery for pictures, statuary, or a double 

 relay of men for a place like this, to form a sufficient staff and allow 

 of the Gardens being open at all hours and times, then he buttons 

 up his pockets and finds a hundred excuses, as if, what a company 

 or a private party can do for a pecuniary advantage cannot be done 

 for the intellectual instruction of such a nation as ours. But let us 

 move on, for I feel " my dander rising," as Brother Jonathan would 

 say ; and for the great improvements made and making in this de- 

 partment " let us be thankful." We'll not enter the orangeries, 

 conservatories, and hot-houses to-day ; and so, leaving the one to 

 the right, let us follow this pathway leading off to the left. We 

 are allowed to walk on the grass if we avoid the edge ; and to us, 

 that are so much on the pave, this is no small luxury. You observe 

 every tree has its name on a label at its foot : how grateful is their 

 shade ! How nicely mown and swept is the turf, tempting us to 

 recline on its verdant carpet ; so let us stretch ourselves at length 

 on this gentle slope, and for awhile watch the visitors as they enter 

 or retire. Genteel persons in plenty, as we might have guessed 

 by the assembly of carriages on the outside, — many resident in the 

 neighbourhood, no doubt ; and great is the advantage to them in 

 having such a place of resort. Happily too for the mechanic and 

 his family, the Loop-line, now open to Kew Bridge, affords a speedy 

 and cheap conveyance. How agreeable to watch that party of men, 

 their wives and children ! See how the latter are enjoying the ex- 

 change from London's dirty, crowded, pestiferous courts and alleys 

 to this, in comparison, perfect paradise ! Think of the Saint Monday 

 these men are making of it compared with the poor tippling mechanic 

 sitting; it may be in a pot-house in town, or taking part in a game 

 of skittles ! 'Tis to tempt them away from the gin-palace, the pub- 

 lic house, and the beer-shop, that we would have these delightful 

 Gardens opened at nine o'clock ; ay, and we would add to the 

 beautifully kept ladies' cloak-room a building, where they should 



