

HOW THE COLLECTION WAS FORMED 



This question may be answered shortly ; it was formed — at 

 least the beginning of it — under compulsion. After fifteen 

 years of very hard work, Mr. Measures broke down. The 

 doctor prescribed a long rest, and insisted on it ; but the 

 patient was equally determined not to risk the career 

 just opening, with an assurance of success, by taking a 

 twelve-months' holiday. Reluctantly the doctor sought an 

 alternative. Yachting he proposed — hunting — shooting ; at 

 length, in despair, horse-racing ! Zealously and conscien- 

 tiously undertaken, that pursuit yields a good deal of em- 

 ployment for the mind. And one who follows it up and 

 down the country must needs spend several hours a day in 

 the open air. Such was the argument ; we may suspect 

 that the good man had a sporting turn and hoped to get 

 valuable tips from a grateful client. 



But nothing would suit. After days of cogitation, at 

 his wits' end, the doctor conceived an idea which might 

 have occurred to some at the outset. ' Take a house in the 

 suburbs,' he advised, ' with a large garden. Cultivate some 

 special variety of plant and make a study of it.' This 

 commended itself. As a boy Mr. Measures loved gardening. 

 In the Lincolnshire hamlet where he was born, the vicar took 

 ^ pride in his roses and things, as is the wont of vicars who 

 CD belong to the honest old school. It was an hereditary taste 



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