V ENVOI. 297 



by the majesty of gracefulness which the ferns 

 embody. Hence, the simplest and most inexpen- 

 sive materials are all that need be employed to 

 produce the most beautiful effects. The humblest 

 householder can find no difficulty in obtaining 

 these materials. The ordinary red flower-pots, 

 for instance, are within the reach of all, even the 

 very poorest, and these can be brought fully into 

 requisition to aid the fern-lover in transforming 

 his home into a " Fern Paradise." The lovely 

 plants will be none the less graceful because grown 

 in these simple contrivances. On the contrary, 

 they will show to all the greater advantage when 

 their own lovely forms are left unsurrounded by 

 artistic adornments to speak to the eye with the 

 quiet eloquence of natural grace. 



In the garden also, however small it may be, 

 or even in the paved and narrow yard which may 

 exist, when a garden is absent, the same simplicity 

 of arrangement will suffice for producing most, 

 pleasing effects. Rockwork, for instance, will pro- 

 vide, perhaps, the most convenient site for the 

 disposition of garden ferns ; and here it will be 



