1871.] THE WEST MEADOWS, EDINBURGH. 179 



bracken with its rich amber colour Dursting forth to view, acts on its beholders 

 with special magic fasciuation. For the botanist and florist we would have a 

 long and varied border of choice interesting herbaceous plants, where the student, 

 with his Balfour, Lindley, or a more elementary author, may saunter along put- 

 ting theory to practice, finding profitable enjoyment and intellectual food in 

 every phase of vegetable life there exhibited. 



Then let there be quiet retired corners, with seats planted around, which there 

 would be shrubberies consisting of Rhododendrons, Mahonias, Laurels, &c. &c., 

 to shelter and screen the occupier. Then picture having a huge rustic rockery 

 commanding a view of the whole landscape, and planted on which there would 

 be alpine plants of every hue and colour, a source of perpetual delight during the 

 spring and summer months, more especially when 



" Spring comes quickly, 

 To write love's fair alphabet upon the earth." 



While to bask and roam on such a spot amongst such sweets, surveying the 

 whole scene around, while from below there conies wafted up and o'er the per- 

 fumed air, 



" Stealing and giving odour." 



Last, and not least, there must be a "Rosarium," and that also worthy of the name, 

 which would be the goddess of Edina's worshippers, where, when in full bloom, to 

 look, muse, and meditate, would be the excelsior of bliss and enjoyment ; and 



" As the weary sempstress stays her task 

 That perfume to inhale. 

 The pale-faced children pause to ask 

 What breath is on the gale ; 

 And none that breathe that sweetened air 

 But have a gentle thought, 

 A gleam of something good and fair, 

 Across the spirit brought." 



To complete all (space permitting), there would be bowling, quoiting, and 

 croquet greens, with the addition, perhaps, of a strip round the grounds for the 

 aspiring velocipedist. Should our Council succeed in bringing into the city a 

 supply of St Mary's Loch, then surely we might crave a drop here, for having a 

 skating course round the entire grounds ; while in the future, should we ex- 

 perience such frosts as in the past winter, by a nominal charge of a penny or two- 

 pence it might cover the working expenses of the garden for a whole year. 



In the ardour of a young amateur enthusiast I have made the foregoing sketch, 

 while from those readers who may think I have been attempting to "paint the 

 Lily," in " o'erstepping the bounds of nature," I humbly crave indulgence; 

 nevertheless, showing in some measure, I trust, what a treat we who, having 

 gardens of our own, enjoy, and might by a little self-denial and exertion confer on 

 nnamj of our fellow-citizens (not having the same privileges), by introducing them, 

 and in having free access to the heavenly, civilising, and refining company of flow- 

 ers ; and from whose society what good results may not follow ? For who has 

 not felt the influence of flowers ? — the drawing up, as it were, from this world of 

 sin, care, and turmoil. What tender memories, solaces, and hopes, may not 

 be awakened by wandering up and down such a place, I leave for the reader to 

 judge : gently wooing the vicious for a longing to partake of Flora's purity, and 

 maybe touching the heart of some who once, like they, grew up in innocence and 



