FEBRUARY. 45 



bruised with the journey, more company than ever came to see us, 

 as our fame had risen with our success. Among others, the young 

 f»hilosopher made his appearance. I thought he had grown much 

 older \vithin the last two years, and he seemed much hiunbler and 

 more deferential than formerly. He conversed with my master 

 about me with evident interest, and appeared to have gathered some 

 knowledge of my habits and nature. I heard John say, after he had 

 gone, that he had written a book on philosophy, which the world had 

 laughed at ; and he had therefore given up the " study of mankind," 

 saying, " they could not understand him," and taken to the study of 

 butterflies ! John further remarked, that, judging by himself, he 

 was incomprehensible to man, but he doubted whether hutterjlies 

 would understand him better. 



I might fill volumes were I to set down all who came to see me 

 and all they said ; but I fear that I have already told too long a tale, 

 seeing that it is all about myself Let me, in conclusion, say a word 

 about my master. His garden was open to the humblest as well as 

 the grandest; and I believe he found one of his chief sources of 

 pleasure in the delight which he thus imparted to his fellow-men. 

 Although the villagers thronged his walks at certain hours, no 

 flower was plucked, no border trampled on, for reproof from all 

 would quickly have visited him who should injure the property or do 

 violence to the feelings of the good squire. His presence was always 

 hailed with delight, whether in urging on the young to engage in 

 rural and athletic sports, in encouraging the advanced to sustain the 

 toils and difficulties of business, or in imparting aid and consolation 

 where age and want had rendered such services necessary. Indeed 

 his every act was prompted by benevolence and high-mindedness ; 

 and his influence was even more remarkable for its kind than for its 

 extent. 



John received the gold medal from the London Horticultural 

 Society, and did not forget Jacob's efforts in the struggle ; and pre- 

 parations were made to maintain the position so sedulously acquired. 



Keader, this has been a true autobiography, and not a mere crea- 

 tion of fancy ; I still exist as an exliibition-rose, and should you wish 

 to see me, you have only to look for me at Chiswick among the Pot- 

 Roses at the May exhibition of the present year. 



Nurseries, Cheshunt, Herts. Williaji Paul. 



ON THE THEORY OF FLORICULTURE. No. I. 



In sitting down to prepare a few brief remarks upon the theory of 

 floriculture, I beg, in the first place, to say distinctly that I make no 

 pretensions of presenting any thing new ; neither do I write for the 

 class of readers to whom the subject is familiar as " household 

 words;" but I write for that large and ever- increasing number who, 

 with a sincere love of flowers and of their cultivation, are solely 



