XI 



A SEASIDE GARDEN 



(Barbara Campbell to Mary Penrose) 

 Gray Rocks, July 19. Your epistle upon the evils 

 of an excess of flowers in the house found us here with 

 the Cortrights and Bradfords, and I read it with Lavinia 

 and Sylvia on either side, as the theme had many notes 

 in it familiar to us all ! There are certainly times and 

 seasons when the impulse is overpowering to lay hold 

 of every flower that comes in the way and gather it to 

 one's self, to cram every possible nook and corner with 

 this portable form of beauty and fairly indulge in a flower 

 orgie. Then sets in a reaction that shows, as in so 

 many things, the middle path is the best for every day. 

 Also there are many enthusiastic gardeners, both among 

 those who grow their own flowers and those who cause 

 them to be grown, who spare neither pains nor money 

 until the flowers are gathered ; then their grip relaxes, 

 and the house arrangement of the fruit of their labour 

 is left to chance. 



In many cases, where a professional gardener is in 

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