M 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



61 



While on a tour in England, during the past 

 summer, I paid a visit to " the ancient and re- 

 spectable city of Lichfield," as an observant old 

 writer designates it. From the noted house in 

 Saint Mary's Street (the lower part of which is 

 used as a draper's shop), where the celebrated 

 Dr. Johnson was born, is but a short distance 

 to a very remarkable edifice, in Saint John's 

 Street, on which Henry II. settled a valuable 

 revenue for its maintenance. And Edward VI. 

 also further endowed it. But it is most remarka- 

 ble for having been the Alma Mater of Addison, 

 Wollaston, Ashmore and Dr. Johnson — men of 

 mighty minds. 



After viewing the many archaic specimens of 

 architecture about the city, and feeling a strong 

 predilection for all things Johnsonian, I made 

 my way to the magnificent Cathedral, the origin 

 of which dates back to A. D., 675. In the south 

 transept of the sacred fane, placed side by side, 

 are two conspicuous monuments, erected to the 

 memory of those famous men, David Garrick 

 and Dr. Johnson. 



On a large mural tablet, surmounted by a 

 marble bust of the Doctor, is the following in- 

 scription : " The friends of Samuel Johnson, 

 LL. D., a native of Lichfield, erected this monu- 

 ment, as a token of respect for a man of exten- 

 sive learning, a distinguished moral writer, and 

 a sincere Christian. He died the 13th of Decem- 

 ber, 1784; aged 75 years." 



Deeply impressed with the solemn grandeur of 

 the superb structure, and the many mementos 

 of former greatness around me, I thoughtfully 

 passed along the richly fretted silent aisles, to 

 the green yard outside. And not far from the 

 gatewaj^ void of all sepulchral pomp or sculp- 

 tured ostentation, beneath a mass of pretty flow- 

 ers, calmly lay the mortal remains of one of the 

 most remarkable, exemplary and useful men of 

 his time, the late Bishop Selwyn. 

 . Pursuing my way to the adjacent fields, along 

 the same hedgerow foot-path the Doctor had 

 often trod, the spot was soon reached where " the 

 great Lexicographer" used to rest beneath the 

 peaceful shade of a venerable wiUow, Salix Rus- 

 selliana. 



The original noted tree kiiown as Johnson's 

 Willow, in 1810, measured in circumference 21 

 feet at six feet from the ground. But as trees 

 and men only bide their time in our mundane 

 world, so it was with both the Doctor and his 

 favorite tree ; they each succumbed to the fell 

 destroyer, and ceased to be. 



The writer well remembers his father pointing 

 to the decayed old tree, when prostrated by a 

 storm in 1829. And much regretted, thus ended 

 the life of a veritable arboreal magnate among 

 willows — as much so as was the erudite Dr. John- 

 son among his fellow-men. 



After the ancient ligneous denizen had passed 

 away, a thrifty branch raised from the old tree 

 was, with much ceremony, planted in the same 

 place, and to this day successfully grows in ita 

 stead. 



About a quarter of a mile off, and in full view 

 of the tree, stands the old Church (and close by 

 the holy (?) well) of Saint Chad's, founded twelve 

 hundred years ago. And near the ancient pile» 

 standing on a slight eminence, embowered in 

 lovely unbrageous trees and shrubs, is the commo- 

 dious and comfortable old mansion of Stow Hall, 

 once the residence of the renowned Molly Aston, 

 whom the Doctor always called upon whenever 

 he returned to his native city. 



At the time of my visit. Willow 11. was in a 

 flourishing condition, and promises well for the 

 future. Running a tape-line around its hand- 

 some bole, its girth measured twelve feet seven 

 inches, at four feet from the base. The height 

 was about eighty feet, and a more perfectly 

 formed or better balanced tree is seldom seen. 



In conclusion, I have only to say the citizens 

 of Lichfield take great pride in protecting and 

 showing the handsome successor they hopefully 

 planted in 1830, for its honored sire's sake. 



EDITORIAL NOTES. 



Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia. — Thi» 

 beautiful building, destroyed through proximity 

 to a burning church, a year or so ago, has been 

 rebuilt by W. L. Schaffer, President of the Penn- 

 sylvania Horticultural Society, and was re- 

 opened on the 5th of January. It is 200 feet 

 deep by 75 feet wide. The main hall for exhibi- 

 tions is 140 feet long, 70 feet wide, and 30 feet . 

 high. As a measure of safety to a large audi- 

 ence in case of fire, there are seven doors lead- 

 ing from the building. 



A grand concert was given in order to test its 

 audiphonic powers, and it was pronounced a 

 complete success. Horticultural Hall was. with 

 all its supposed faults, an almost indispensable 

 building to Philadelphians. and one of which 

 they were always proud, and the congratulations 

 to the President of the Horticultural Society, ia 



