Uay 29, 1836. ] 



JOURNAL OF HOKXIGULTUSE AiiD COTTAGE GARDENEI?, , 



403 



cordial support, because he thought it was simply a grateful return for 

 the courtesies which British horticulturists had received in Belgium, 

 France, and Hollnnd. In the nest place, he supported it because he 

 believed it tended in a great degree to foster and to increase in this 

 country a love of horticulture, aud a taste for the growth of flowers. 

 There was no scntimentalism abuut that. It was an undisputed fact 

 that a love of horticulture and a taste for floral creations tended to re- 

 fine and humanise the best feelings of man. Lot any one go to Battersea 

 Park, or to Kew Gardens, and sol- the artisan who, confined for six days 

 by his work, escaped on the seventh to admire the wondrous creations of 

 nature displayed there, and ho would not fail to come back with the 

 strong conviction that through these works a man's mind must be di- 

 rected to Him who was the Creator of them aU. This, then, was an 

 essentially practical matter. As a member of the Council of the Royal 

 Horticultural Society, it had devolved upon him to receive and to read 

 communications without end from the clergy of various denominations 

 in this great metropolis, praying that the Society would afford them assist- 

 ance in providing prizes for window gardens in the poor and densely 

 populated districts of London in which they laboured. One and all of those 

 gentlemen stated, that in giving this aid they would bo doing an im- 

 mense amount of good — an nmnimt of good which would be incalculable. 

 In consequence of these representations they did establish prizes, and 

 last year they expressed their willingness to co-operate with others in 

 providing additional prizes ; but, owing to the illness of a gentleman who 

 undertook the management of the matter last year, the subject had 

 lapsed, only, however, to be revived next year. They had established 

 prizes in the shape of silver and copper medals, for the best cultivated 

 gardens in the largest camps in England and Ireland; and they had re- 

 ceived the warmest testimonials from generals and officers, who had 

 agreed in assuring the Council how much what they had done had con- 

 tributed to the mor.-xUty and the cood order of the regiments where such 

 prizes had been given. Horticultural science had this great advantage, 

 that from the moment a child commenced it, flowers literally grew under 

 his feet. Even the greatest tyro in the study could never feel lunely 

 in the secluded lanes or the wildest district.s of tho country, for wild 

 flowers would crop up aroimd him on every side, giving him ample food 

 for meditation, and so turn out to ho his kindest and most genial 

 friends. Thus much, then, for the reasons which had induced him to 

 give his hearty co-uperation to this scheme, and was it not a scheme 

 that had proved a decided success ? To his mind, there cuuld be but 

 one answer to that question, and that was a most emphatic affirmative. 

 It was an attempt un their part to rival, with all possible kindness, 

 similar undertakings that had been inaugurated in vsirious parts of 

 the Continent. Ho regretted that in the magniticent display they had 

 witnessed there were not more productions from foreign countries ; but, 

 on the other hand, ho rejoiced to think that both in that room and in 

 another place there were professors of botany and horticulture who had 

 come over from foreign lauds to testify their sympathy with the efi'orts 

 which had been made here. Had any one. he would ask, ever seen more 

 l)eautiful specimens of horticulture than those which had beentlisplayed? 

 Had any one ever seen more su«ceH.sful fruits of unwearied patience than 

 the hijrticulturists of this coimtry had famished? Had any one overseen 

 a collection which had been displayed in a more advantageous or pictur- 

 esque manner? strolling down Us long avenues, it really appeared 

 that those beautiful flowers had been placed there by some magic hand, 

 and that it must be one of tho?:e happy places in which they were told in 

 their childhood fairies delighted to dwelL The nest point they had to 

 consider was to whom those great successes which had been achieved 

 were due. Li the first place thanks were due to the gardeuers of this counti-y 

 whose public spirit, enthusiasm, unwearied zeal, and great ability, to- 

 gether with their great disinterestedness in trusting plants of so valuable 

 a nature to all the chances and changes of temperature, could not be too 

 highly commended. Next, thanks were due to ;i public-spirited gentleman, 

 Mr. Oi-mson, who had seen that every thin" tender was warmly housed ; and 

 lastly, thanks were due to Mr. Gibson, who had been selected by the Ex- 

 ecutive Committee to arrange the grounds. Let them for a moment pause 

 to consider the enormous strides this matter had made during the last 

 few years. Some of those present would remember the first Show, how 

 small and comparatively insignificant it was; now the Show extended 

 over 3i acres; and at the Pai-is Exhibition, which it was proposed to hold 

 next year, so confident were Frenchmen of the resources of England, and 

 the public spirit of EngU&h gardeners, that they had apportioned 3^ acres 

 of their space to Em;l;md— a space which they expected English gar- 

 deners to fill. Thev were assembled on the anniversary of that distin- 

 guished Swedish naturalist, Linua-us. In one sense that was to be re- 

 gretted, because the geutlemen who composed the Society bearing his 

 name were holding a banquet that night, a circumstance which de- 

 prived them of the support of many of the professors of botany and 

 horticulture, who otherwise w<-uld have been among=t them. In the 

 latter part of the Ia;'t. century that great man visited this country. If he 

 had gone to the Exhibition and seen those be?aitiful Azaleas, had 

 looked upon the coloured foliaco of the plants which vied with them, or 

 those Orchids.grotesqueiu form but brilliant in colour, would not thoughts 

 have occurred to that scientific mind which would have opened to him a 

 new world of inquir>- "? But while the gardeners of England had done well 

 they must not suppose that he (the Chairmnu} was going tolet them ofl' by 

 saying that thev had done all they could. They had done nothing of the 

 kind. He trusted that if he were spai-ed until next summer, he should 

 see the English gardeners over in P;uis, and that they would show to the 

 French nation what they could do, aud that they were not afraid either 

 of transit by Land, or passage bv water, so that they might rival their 

 friends abroad. He knew that many of their foreign friends were present 

 that evening, so he would conclude bis remarks withan allusion specially 

 addressed to them. He would say to tbem that the great festival which 

 they were now celebrating was a mark— only a feeble mark it might be— 

 of their deep gratitude for the cordial, hospitable, and friendly manner in 

 which they received the British horticulturists when they were abroad. 

 He would tell thiir foreign \-isitors that they were licartily welcome in 

 this countrv, and be trusted that they would accept tho reception which 

 had been given to them as a feeble expression of the gratitude of Enghsh- 

 men for pa-^t liinduesse-s. Above all thev would declare to their foreign 

 friends that night, whether from France, Holland, Eagium, or anywhere 

 else, that the wish of the English people was that they might cast aside 

 old rivalries itud old antiquated jealousies, and do nothing but compete 

 with one another in the most frieudlv contests— not on the battle field, 

 but in the promotion of aU that tended to the advancement of science, of 



commerce, and of art. He would propose "Success and prosperity to 

 the Horticultural Exhibition, and to tho Botanical Congress, and might 

 the great objects soutrht to be accomplished be abundantly realised." 



The toast was drunk with loud applause. 



Mr. W. Paul, in responding, stated that the origin of this movement 

 had been s:u well espIuiuL-d. that he need not further advert to it. For its 

 success It was greatly indel>tcd to Mr. Moore, who had done his very 

 utmost to secure it. They had succeeded in bridging over a chasm be- 

 tween horticulturists and botanists which no doubt would bo turned to 

 favourable account hereafter. Ho maintained that Horticulture was both 

 an art and a science—an ort as pursued from the decorative point of view, 

 a bcience as regards the production of fruits and flowers. Gardening as an 

 art bad produced men of whom every EngUshman had reason to be proud 

 —a Price, a Knight, a Gilpin, a Repton, a Paxton, to say nothing of 

 living men ; and the highest and wealthiest iu the land, tho most refined 

 and intellectual, take a pride and pleasure in the decoration of their gar- 

 dens. Horticulture as a science has so many true sons that it wonld be 

 impossible to name even the most prominent. Is there no science in 

 PJfu^ucing with unerring certainty, alike amid the suows of winter and 

 the heat of summer, those splendid fruits and flowers, without which the 

 ^°Jcrtainments and assembhes of this groat nation would be shorn o£ 

 half their enjoyment ? It is too close upon the event to estimate its re- 

 sults. Of this, however, we may be sure, that while Botany and Horti- 

 culture are promoted by it, it will give fresh life and a wider development 

 to an important branch of natural industry. 



The Kev. J. Dix said no doubt at the present time the horticultural 

 world was wide awake ; it had been asleep some time. He had been asked 

 to propose as a toast, " The Royal Horticultural and Botanic Societies." 

 In all sincerity of heart he had advocated the claims of the Horticul- 

 tural Society, aud since he became a member of it he had gone through 

 many difficulties. Ho had been called an obstinate opposer, but he had 

 foimd that what was called obstinacy had been productive of very good 

 results. When he mentioned the great success of their Tuesday meet- 

 ings he thought he need say no more. They must remember that their 

 operations were under the searching and scientific eyes of many visitors. 

 As he looked do^vn the tables before him he saw gentlemen who were the 

 very sinews of horticulture, and he had no doubt they would experience 

 the best ret,ults if members of the Society would look after their own in- 

 terests. He proposed " The Horticultural and Botanic Societies," with 

 which he would associate the names of Mr. G. F. Wilson, aud Sir Walter 

 Stirling. 



Sir W. STiRLrxG, ant? ilr. G. F. Wilsox returned thanks. 



Dr. Davtd Mooke gave some account of the progress of horticulture in 

 Ireland. 



Mr. J. G. Veitch proposed " The health of their kind friends, the dis- 

 tinguished Foreign Visitors.'' It was on foreign soil that the first Ex- 

 hibition of this kind took place — \iz., at Brussels, and in England they 

 were only carrying on what was begun there. He assured the foreign 

 visitors that although their reception had not been one of ostentation 

 or splendour, it has been a hearty and a welcome one. 



M. Van Geert, jun., acknowledged the toast in appropriate terms. 



Mr. John Lee proposed the health of " Friends from the Provinces," to 

 which the Rev. S. REVN(jr,Ds Hole, Vicar of Caunton, Nottiughamahire, 

 and Mr. A. Dickson, of Chester, appropriately responded. 



"Friends from Scotland and Ireland," was proposed by Mr Chables 

 TcRNEK, Mr. David Mitchell returning thanks. 



Sir C. W. DiLKE, Bart., expressed his regret that he was not present 

 earlier, but in common with some friends who had been at the Liunean 

 Society, he had deteiinined to be amongst them as soon as possible. He 

 was always anxious to give as much as-'istance as possible to the culti- 

 vation of horticulture and botany. He felt that it would have been im- 

 possible for him to attend and not propose the toast which ho would ask 

 the company to drink with all the heartiness it deserved — " The Health 

 of the Chairman, Lord Henry Gordon Lennox.'' 



The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. 



The Chairman', ia acknowledging it, said he asked himself why he had 

 been invited to preside. It could only have been because he felt a deep 

 interest in the promotion of the sciences they were met to ser\e. Tho 

 position he held had many advantages, but his sole desire was to make 

 them conductive to the general welfare of the Society. 



The company then separated. 



One of the best evidences of the entire success of the Exhi- 

 bition is the unanimous wish of the Committee and exhibitors 

 to prolong the time diiring -which it shall be open to the public. 

 There is a general reluctance to have such an artistic accumu- 

 lation of beauty dispersed, and we are verj' pleased that it is 

 to remain in its integrity until Thursday next. The Koyal 

 Horticultm-al Society have also liberally consented to have their 

 garden gratuitously open to the visitors of the Exhibition 

 during the time. 



We think the Committee would confer a great benefit as well 

 as afford great pleasure to a multitude, if on the last day they 

 allowed four to be admitted for a shilling. Thousands would 

 avail themselves of the privilege who would not lite to spend 

 the shiUing on themselves alone, yet could not afford the same 

 sum for their wives and childi-en. 



Thk amounts of cash taken at the doors up to Saturday 

 night were — 



Tuesdav f£l admission) £392 Friday {U. admiBsion) 



\Vednesdav (10s. do.) . . 1222 Saturday (2.5. Grf. do.j , . 



Thursday "(2.v. 6d. do.) . . 170S 



These amounts are quite irrespective of the sa'e of tickets 

 bv the agont«, v^hich is not yet ascertained. 



£1050 

 biO 



