MAY 105 



of a surprise in the distinctive peculiarities of our old- 

 fashioned walled gardens. One was famous for its peaches, 

 sheltered from the early frosts by the thatched coping of its 

 mud walls ; another for its wealth of golden-drop plums. In 

 one there was a shady corner for lilies of the valley; in 

 another a sunny exposure, where the autumn violets were 

 the first to bloom. In all there were grass alleys, crooked 

 and hoary old apple-trees, valued as much for their age as 

 for the quality of their fruit. There was a wealth and 

 variety of pot-herbs. One wall was crowned by a patch of 

 yellow sechium, another was fringed with wallflowers, and the 

 old bricks were often covered by a network of the delicate 

 and beautiful creeper, the ' mother of millions.' There was 

 the delightful smell of newly-turned mould, to mingle with 

 the fragrance of a hedge of sweet-peas, or a bed of clove 

 gillyflowers. Sweet-william and mignonette filled the vacant 

 spaces, and the bees from a row of straw hives were humming 

 over all." MARGARET A. PAUL. 



