532 THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



The most elaborate plot of garden will be that at the east end of 

 Somerset House and near the Temple Gardens. Here a large foun- 

 tain is being constructed ; and round about and near it there will be 

 several beds for flowers and foliaged plants during the summer months. 

 To this spot can come hundreds of pent-up citizens and indoor workers 

 during the temporary respite from labour at mid-day, and in the even- 

 ing, after their toil is ended, to wander along pleasant paths and round 

 about gay flowers, on a spot that was but a few years ago a portion of 

 the bed of the great river that flows through the city. Truly it is 

 a wonderful transformation-scene ; and it is only those who knew the 

 river-side ere the embankment was commenced that can comprehend 

 the splendid improvement effected which gives a broad line of thorough- 

 fare from the new bridge at Blackfriars to that at Westminster, orna- 

 mented by fine trees, with a smiling garden on one side and the 

 flowing river on the other. 



The laying -out of the garden and shrubbery -grounds has been 

 carried out by Mr Joseph F. Meston, under the superintendence of 

 Mr Alexander M'Kenzie ; and Scotland has reason to be proud of the 

 achievements of her two worthy sons. E. D. 



NOTES OF THE MONTH. 



That towards the close of a long and useful life in the service of 

 horticulture, Mr Thomas Rivers of Sawbridgeworth should be selected 

 to receive some token of the high esteem and regard in which he is 

 held by many of his brother horticulturists, is not to be wondered at. 

 Pomology, especially, owes much to Mr Rivers. He has laboured un- 

 weariedly, and has lived to reap the reward and enjoy the fruits of 

 his labour; and other men have entered into the results also, and 

 gratefully partaken of them. Of his busy life, with its quiet energy 

 working out into practical result and certain good, that experimenta- 

 tive faculty he was so fond of bringing into active play, may be 

 w T ritten the words of Professor Graham, "Man becomes a part of 

 the vast world in which he lives, and everything becomes a part of 

 him ; and hence it may with propriety be said that man is the 

 soul of the world." Mr Rivers has moved about in the world of 

 horticulture for years, heaping up large stores of knowledge, which 

 he, with ungrudging desire, has constantly given forth for the benefit 

 of his fellow-creatures. Mr Rivers, having a great dislike to testi- 

 monials, will not accept one, but it is proposed to honour him by 

 raising a subscription for the purpose of having his portrait painted, 

 as a momento of his worth and the kindly regard in which he is held. 



