THE FLORIST. 2 So 



have an opportunity of partaking of any refreshments they might 

 bring. As to miseonduct, there are plenty of ways to prevent that ; 

 and we are happily getting repeated proofs, that the more our coun- 

 trymen are trusted the better they behave. All these things will 

 come in time ; and we do not despair of seeing them in our day, if 

 peace continue ; and it will be the fault of us of the middle classes 

 if it does not. Time moves on as we lie here ; so let us strike off a 

 little to the right, and make for the more open part of the grounds. 

 What charming park-scenery, is it not ? Only that light iron fence 

 separates us from the Royal Pleasure-grounds, with which we have no 

 communication but by turning into the road, and walking nearly a mile 

 in the dust, and which are only open two days in the week : the why 

 and the wherefore we know not. There is a beautiful group of elms ! 

 fit study for any painter ; and now turn your eyes to the left, and 

 you see an erection matchless in the world, and worthy of Old Eng- 

 land and her true greatness. On some future occasion we will visit 

 its inside, — a tropical country in miniature, — walk beneath the palms 

 of the East, whet our appetite with a sight of the plantains hanging 

 in long bunches beneath the broad green foliage unknown to our 

 colder climates, and admire the gigantic ferns which, transplanted 

 there from our Australian colonies, fill the mind with noble concep- 

 tions of those distant lands. 



Let us keep straight along this broad gravel-path ; — the turf on 

 each side laid out, you see, in beds of evergreens, flowers, and flower- 

 ing shrubs : that chimney-shaft is an unsightly termination, is it not ? 

 I wish it could change places with the fine old trees in its rear. 



As we walk on, see how the splendid Palm-house opens upon us, 

 like a mountain of glass glittering and blazing in the light of this 

 afternoon sun ! how gladly we turn from it, and rest our eyes upon 

 the surface of this fine sheet of water in its fiont! how calm and 

 clear and cool it is, reflecting the green slopes and broad flights of 

 steps around it ! I like, too, to watch the graceful movements of the 

 water- fowl, most of which you see are foreign varieties. From this 

 terrace- walk, can any garden- scenery be more perfect? On our 

 right, these trim fantastic beds filled with the gayest, choicest flowers ; 

 and on our left the lake, the formality of its smooth banks elegantly 

 broken by those willows, whose boughs really lie upon the surface of 

 the water. How well those fine old elms rise up behind, with their 

 dark massive foliage ! how pleasing too are the undulations of the 

 ground, covered as it is with the finest, softest turf! here a sunny slope, 

 there an opening glade : really, we might fancy ourselves in Eden! 



But we must not linger, for there is a most interesting museum, 

 towards which this fine sweeping path will lead us, and into which 

 we must just peep ; and then, by the time we have looked at the ar- 

 rangement of the glass erections, which are grouped together in our 

 track towards the gate, our superficial visit will have ended. You 

 will agree with me, that every one should come to these Gardens, — 

 no one should visit London without running down to see them ; 

 one visit will not suffice, save for a cursory glance like this, 

 but once seen, they will be remembered, and induce repeated visits 

 for the purpose of examining this vast and interesting collection in 



