ORCHIDS. 51 
Among the gentle forms of intellectual excite- 
ment I know not one to compare with the joy of 
restoring a neglected orchid to health. One may 
buy such for coppers—rare species, too—of a size 
and a “ potentiality ” of display which the dealers 
would estimate at as many pounds were they in 
good condition on their shelves. I am avoiding 
names and details, but it will be allowed me to 
say, in brief, that I myself have bought more than 
twenty pots for five shillings at the auction-rooms, 
not twice nor thrice either. One half ofthem were 
sick beyond recovery, some few had been injured 
by accident, but by far the greater part were 
victims of ignorance and ill-treatment which might 
still be redressed. Orchids tell their own tale, 
whether of happiness or misery, in characters 
beyond dispute. Mr. O’Brien alleged, indeed, 
before the grave and experienced  signors 
gathered in conference, that “like the domestic 
animals, they soon find out when they are in hands 
that love them. With such a guardian they seem 
to be happy, and to thrive, and to establish an 
understanding, indicating to him their wants in 
many important matters as plainly as though they 
could speak.” And the laugh that followed this 
statement was not derisive. He who glances at 
the endless tricks, methods, and contrivances 
E 2 
