278 IN A GLOUCESTERSHIRE GARDEN 



given by such gardens as Kew, Edinburgh, Dublin, and 

 many other public gardens, both British and foreign ; 

 there are hundreds of others which speak to me of 

 delightful private gardens, and of the pleasant free- 

 masonry that exists among true gardeners; there are 

 flowers which tell of pleasant travels, and long walks, 

 and beautiful spots which I shall probably never see 

 again ; there are others which bring to memory voices 

 which I shall never hear, and faces which I shall never 

 see again in this world ; and hundreds more which in 

 their several ways have their own memories, and their 

 own associations, which make each and all forget-me- 

 nots of the highest value and beauty. And in looking 

 on our flowers with these thoughts there is nothing 

 mawkish or sentimental, the thoughts are good and 

 wholesome ; and though some of the memories con- 

 nected with our flowers may be sad, and some of the 

 associations may be even painful, yet meminisse juvat is 

 written upon them all ; and that our flowers can give 

 us such memories, and can be linked with such associa- 

 tions, we may, indeed, be thankful. 



