THE S/X OF SPACES. 31 



gladness, and can thoroughly enjoy its calm repose. 

 I can, with perfect equanimity, bid farewell to my 

 dahlias and chrysanthemums, and can pleasantly 

 drink to our next merry meeting in the silver cup 

 which they have won. I can bide my time, patiently 

 and thankfully, until the spring-light wakes my 

 cinerarias to bloom, and bids my hyacinths yield 

 their poesy of fragrance. My appetite craves for no 

 stimulants, and asks no artificial food. It desires to 

 say grace, and to rest, that it may be hungry again 

 and healthful, when nature shall prepare the feast. 



If ever I grow a-weary a-weary of my leaflessness 

 and clayitude good winter hath two ministers, hope 

 and memory, who never fail to cheer. I have but to 

 close my eyes, and memory displays once more before 

 me those banks and braes of beauty which I saw at 

 the Flower Shows, at Kensington, " the Palace," and 

 "the Park;" I am gazing again upon the roses at 

 "the National," the carnations from Slough, the 

 rhododendrons of Waterer, and on gardens in their 

 summer sheen. Or hope speaks musically of the 

 future ; points to those dear little cuttings, so bravely 

 upright in their tiny thumb-pots ; so charmingly 

 conceited at having roots of their own, and tells of 

 their growth and glory. 



And I never realize more pleasantly, or appreciate 

 more gratefully, this welcome rest and happy thought- 

 fulness of winter, than at the meetings of our little 

 society, which we call "The Six of Spades." Come 

 with me, reader, into our club-room, and let me 

 introduce you to the members. 



That club-room is my garden-house, a warm and 



