78 A BOOK ABOUT THE GAEDEN. 



These lovers of the garden know well, that as " one 

 touch of Nature makes the whole world kin," so one 

 truthful instance of a floral taste, one hearty expres- 

 sion of horticultural loyalty, is acknowledged at once 

 and echoed instantly by a thousand kindred souls. 

 They know of signs and passwords more powerful 

 than those of the Free-est Masons, the Oddest 

 Fellows, the most Ancient Druids a cosmopolitan 

 clanship, accredited throughout the world. 



" Bather flowery," I hear it suggested. Well, yes, 

 I think so ; and therefore let us put aside the figura- 

 tive, and illustrate our theme by fact. One hit, 

 straight and home, is worth half an hour of 

 sparring. 



Returning, not long ago, from a visit to some 

 distant friends, I arrived at their nearest station four 

 seconds after the departure of the train ; and the 

 engine-driver, to whom I bellowed piteously, not 

 being of a floral mind, and coarsely refusing to come 

 back, I was left, with another of the guests, to amuse 

 ourselves for three hours as best we could. What 

 was to be done ? It was ten minutes' walk to the 

 town, and to the town we went. Here was a fine old 

 church, recently restored; but it was locked, of 

 course, and both of us were afraid of Bedels. " Was 

 there a billiard-table ?" we inquired of the postman. 

 No, but there was a bagatelle-board at the " Cock 

 and Trumpet," an alternative which did not allure 

 us. So to the chief hotel for luncheon, though we 

 had scarcely breakfasted two hours ago ; and here 

 we imbibed some fearful sherry, the which, I verily 

 believe, is lurking in my system now. A cigar ; and 



