OCTOBER. 247 



the time of blooming I find that his flowers are stronger in their 

 health, and more perfect in their character, I shall not rest until I 

 am able to bring my productions to an equality with his. This, 

 therefore, is one object of a society which rewards superior culti- 

 vation : on the one hand, it lets us see what can be done in this 

 department of art by our neighbours ; and on the other, it urges us 

 to the attainment of excellence by an appeal to various motives, 

 which are found to lead to more vigorous action. This may lead, 

 in some cases, to envy and jealousy, and in others to mere cupidity; 

 but this cannot be regarded as a reason why competition should be 

 discouraged. It is impossible to secure advantages without some 

 admixture of evil or inconvenience ; and to say that horticultural 

 societies may engender malevolent feelings, is only to affirm that 

 they have to do with human nature. When we see that it is by 

 competition that civilisation has won some of its greatest triumphs, 

 we must conclude that it is intended to have a place in the govern- 

 ment of the world. 



But these combinations for floral purposes are found to promote 

 kindliness among neighbours, to smooth away the asperities and 

 angularities of individual characters, and to form a bond of union 

 among those whom political and religious differences have widely 

 separated from each other. On this common ground all can meet ; 

 and when once brought into contact, it is surprising how soon men 

 become better acquainted. Among the gentle scenes of Nature they 

 forget the differences of public life, and find a pleasure in their inter- 

 course not soon to be forgotten; a pleasure procured without the 

 sacrifice of principle, and followed by no regret. We have now in 

 our eye an instance of this harmonising tendency of the most pleasing 

 kind, in the case of a horticultural institution a short distance from 

 London. It was formed in a town where political and religious dif- 

 ferences, as well as the distinctions of wealth and position, had done 

 very much to disturb social concord, and where there appeared the 

 greatest improbability, a priori, of these dissentient parties being 

 brought into any friendly union. However, a few lovers of flowers 

 joined together and formed a society, which was speedily favoured 

 by almost all the respectable inhabitants of the place, and soon 

 became very prosperous and influential. On the days of exhibition 

 common topics were presented for conversation, and acquaintances 

 were formed, which in many cases were permanent, and in all proved 

 very promotive of that respect which citizens should entertain for 

 each other. In this society were realised the sentiments so elegantly 

 expressed in the following passage by a writer whose name I have 

 forgotten : 



" The cultivation of flowers is, of all the amusements of mankind, 

 the one to be selected and approved, as the most innocent in itself, 

 and most perfectly devoid of injury and annoyance to others; the 

 employment is not only conducive to health and peace of mind, but 

 probably more good-will has arisen, and more friendships have been 

 founded, by the intercourse and communication connected with the 

 pursuit, than from any other whatever. The pleasures of the horti- 

 culturist are harmless and pure ; a streak, a tint, a shade, become 



