HOLLAND HOUSE 239 



introduced by Lord Holland. When travelling in 

 Spain he met the celebrated botanist, Joseph 

 Cavanilles, who gave him some seeds, which he 

 had planted on his return to England. When they 

 had reached seven inches in height they were 

 planted out in this little spot and grew to "great 

 height, and were rich and varied in colour," being 

 the first Dahlia grown in this country, and be- 

 coming in a few years a perfect rage. 



The origin of their name is said to have been 

 that of Dahl, the Swedish botanist, after whom 

 Cavanilles (who first described the genus) named 

 them. Ever since then this little corner has been 

 dedicated to these handsome regal flowers. Behind 

 the bed of Dahlias, placed on the path in front of 

 the Yew hedge, stands, on a granite column, a 

 Bust of Napoleon, by the famous sculptor, Canova, 

 done by him when Napoleon was Commander-in- 

 Chief in Italy. The words on the pillar, translated, 

 run thus : 



He is not dead, he breathes the air 

 In lands beyond the deep ! 



Some distant sea-girt island where 

 Harsh men the hero keep." 



The third Lord Holland, a most enthusiastic 

 admirer of the great Napoleon, was, in those days, 

 perhaps, his solitary champion ; he used all his 



