3G . A BOOK ABOUT THE GARDEN. 



You would like to Lear him respond, I am sure, 

 when we drink his health as our "King of Spades," 

 rapping the table with such strong and sudden 

 earnestness as to bring the canary, just hoping to 

 renew his slumbers, very summarily off his perch. 

 " Sixty years ago," he said, in the course of his little 

 speech at our last meeting, "I was weeding the Castle 

 walks. Many and pleasant and prosperous have been 

 my days since then ; and if I were constrained to 

 begin life anew I would ask that it might pass as 

 heretofore. But I have no yearnings, though much 

 thankfulness, for the past. There is mildew among 

 our roses here, my friends, and bitter frosts, and 

 dreary sorrowful storms. I hope that I do not 

 deceive myself in thinking " (and here he spoke with 

 such a sweet humility as filled mine eyes with tears) 

 " I trust that I cannot be wrong in believing that, 

 year by year, as I grow older, I draw nearer to a 

 garden of perfect beauty and eternal rest, a garden 

 more glorious than that which Adam lost, the Eden 

 and the Paradise of God." 



There was an interval of thoughtful, healthful 

 silence, after Mr. Oldacre had spoken ; and we too, 

 my readers, will pause here, if you please, before I 

 introduce to you another member of our club, whom 

 I hope you may like as much as I do my young 

 friend, Mr. Chiswick, from the Hall. 



