EXHIBITION AT CHISWICK. 



My fair friends were evidently much pleased with the meed of commendation which the ap 

 pcarance of their countrywomen called forth from me; and after having politely addiessed 

 to me some flattering tributes to the attractions of some of my own countrywomen of their 

 acquaintance, they proposed that we should pass through the tents to inspect the 

 plants. We therefore bent our steps to the quarter of the garden in which the tents were 

 placed. They were filled to excess with visitors, who were proceeding in one direction 

 round the tables, so that each one in turn could view the plants. Down the length of 

 each table was erected a frame work covered with green cloth, forming aback ground to 

 the flowers, Avhich consequently were distinctly visible without difficult}'. The tables 

 themselves and the barrier round them were covered with the same material, "which gave 

 a finish to the whole, that was not only pleasing, but which relieved the eye in a great 

 measure from the glare arising from such masses of brilliant flowers. 



I will now endeavor to give some idea of the contents of these temporary museums of 

 Flora. One of the largest tents was devoted to general collections, amongst which was a 

 most superb assortment of plants from Mrs. Lawrence, the wife of the surgeon of that 

 name, whose celebrity has become world-wide. This lady is the most enthusiastic plant 

 cultivator of that part of the world ; and she has for many years been one of the chief con- 

 tributors to these exhibitions. Amongst her plants I noticed one enormous plant of our 

 Pimelea spectabilis, Avhich was one perfect globe of flowers from the surface of the pot, 

 and of which the head of bloom was at least four feet in diameter. Another equally con- 

 spicuous plant was an Epacris grandiflora, fiveor six feet high and four feet across, covered 

 with its elegant tubular flowers. An Ixora, with its vivid scarlet blooms, bore ample 

 testimony that the skill of the lady's gardener in the hot-house was not behind his green- 

 house culture; whilst a white Indian Azalea, seven feet high, and forming an immense 

 pyramid from the pot upwards, was so smothered by its myriads of snow-white flowers, 

 that it was impossible to see one inch of the stem, or the half of a leaf upon it. But to 

 notice each of the beauties of this collection would be to tell of every plant in it. I must 

 proceed, or I shall not within my limit, get half through the day. From the general col- 

 lections, we passed on to a tent filled with orchideous plants. Here, within a space of a 

 few hundred feet, were collected what have been properly termed " Flora's Jewels," from 

 all parts of the world. The Brazils, the Cape of Good Hope, the East Indies and China, 

 had contributed to enrich this gorgeous collection. The very atmosphere appeared alive 

 with flowers; for in many of them the long slender flower stalks were not observable to 

 the eye, whilst the butterfly character of the others added to the fragrance which emanated 

 from them, served to perfect the illusion; and apparently to bear unerring evidence, that 

 in the air around was to be found the " local habitation" of these flying flowers. 



From this scene we entered the Geranium tent, from which all other plants were ex- 

 cluded, and well might the happy possessors of such specimens pride themselves on 

 the reward of their perseverance. The worst plant amongst them (if worst was there) 

 was a model of beauty; and none who have not been present at such a sight, can picture 

 to their imagination the elegance and softness of the shading which many of the specimens 

 of this family of plants presented. I observed particularly that the visitors passed more 

 slowly through this part of the exhibition than any other, and the attraction extended to 

 myself as well as to those around me. 



Perhaps, of all the objects which delighted me on that day, the tent of Ericas, was that 

 which excited in me the greatest surprise. One of the most diflicult families of plants to 

 n our own country, from the nature of its climate, I was not prepared to expect 

 feet bushes as they were. Many of them were very dwarf, but of three or fo 



