10 



GARDEN MANAGEMENT. 



where royalty does not refuse to ^dsit, are proofs that utility is not ne- 

 cessarOy unomamental. The cabbage and the onion -were not excluded 

 from " the little garden of onr ancestors, where they knew every flo-wer 

 because they were few, and every name because they were simple. 

 Their rose-bushes and gilliflowers were dear to them, because them- 

 selves pruned, watered, and watched them — had marked fi-om day to 

 day their opening buds, and removed their fading blossoms." 



ig. Gardens, as we have seen, were carefully cultivated by the 

 Romans : the cottager's garden was the test of his worth as a member 

 of the community ; and we shall not be far wrong if we apply a similar 

 test to our own rural population. The garden of the English cottager 

 is, indeed, already remarked as one of our national distinctions ; even in 

 the midst of squalor and misery we find an occasional Spitalfields 

 weaver growing am'iculas and carnations in the gi'eatest perfection, 

 e\dncing the universal interest taken in the subject; and it is well- 

 remarked by a Quarterly reviewer, " that when we see a plot set apart 

 for a rose-bush, and a gilhflower, and a carnation, it is enough for 

 us : if the jessamine and the honeysuckle embower the porch without, 

 we may be sure that there is the potato, the cabbage, and the onion 

 for the pot within : if there be not plenty there, at least there is no 

 want; if not happiness, there is the nearest approach to it in this 

 world — content . 



*' Yes ! in the poor man's garden grow 

 Far more than herbs and flowers, — 

 Kind thoughts, contentment, peace of mind. 

 And joy for many hours ! " 



FOUNTAIN OF THE BELVIDEBK COCET OF THE VATICAN. 



