80 A BOOK ABOUT THE GARDEN. 



he groaned at them ! Groaned at them, and when I 

 returned to the station, with two large baskets of 

 plants, pretended painful anxiety as to my mental 

 state, and entreated me to have an interview with 

 Doctor Conolly. 



But never, since that day, have I been in want of 

 pleasant occupation never since have I suffered that 

 most dismal loneliness, the solitude of a strange city, 

 when circumstances have enforced a temporary so- 

 journ in the neighbourhood of a nursery-garden. 

 With principals, or, in their absence, with foremen, I 

 have fifty topics of mutual interest to discuss ; in 

 every garden something new to see ; from every 

 gardener something new to learn ; and so the hours 

 pass swiftly, pleasantly, and I hope wisely, onward. 



Wisely, I believe. For, after all, my brothers, it is 

 the wisdom and goodness of gardening which make it 

 such a deep and enduring happiness. It is thank- 

 fulness, reverence, and love, which make our gardens 

 dear to us from childhood to old age, for 



" Love is like the ocean, ever fresh and strong, 

 Which the world surrounding, keeps it green and young." 



Yes, it is because we cannot really love the beautiful 

 flowers without loving Him " Whose breath perfumes 

 them, and Whose pencil paints ; " it is because there 

 lies deep in the heart of man a yearning to recover 

 Paradise, and to rest once more upon the Mount of 

 God; it is because when we cherish tenderly, and 

 watch adoringly, the Creator's handiwork, that we 

 are permitted to "walk with Him through the Garden 



