lo A GARDEN OF PLEASURE 



and the stable yard in former days, lay a 

 rubbishy square plot of ground. Here 

 were summered out the Camellias and 

 Azaleas etc., etc. Here also was the place 

 of dilapidated frames, and all sorts of orra* 

 plants, and empty flower-pots. Old Peach 

 trees were trained on the wall, and we used 

 to think that peaches reddened riper there 

 than on other walls. But the Peach trees 

 kept on decaying year by year, making 

 less hard the decision to remove them. 

 When the time came for destroying the 

 bit of old brick work that was a harder 

 matter ; not undertaken until after endless 

 hesitations, yet not regretted since. The 

 walk on the north side used to end in 

 gloomy shade under a very large old 

 Phylleria, growing in a narrow border full 

 of melancholy ferns. Now, a much-needed 

 thoroughfare is gained by carrying on the 

 walk beyond. The great Phylleria breathes 

 freer now, rejoicing in the sun which, for 

 the first time warms its rugged old grey 

 stem. Excepting upon its umbrageous 



* *Orra,' a Scotch word used for anything laid 

 anywhere out of the way. 



