164: APPENDIX. 



off the surplus of steam that would condense in my 

 head; this last is a hygienic prescription with me; and 

 to try to convince you, as I am convinced myself, that 

 gardeners have many chances to improve their material 

 and intellectual conditions ; more than many of other 

 professions, if they are a little willing to observe the 

 circumstances in which they are, and use their tact and 

 judgment, and not go forward too quick, according to 

 my observations. In that said convent, where I had 

 been cloistered over six years, I have almost always 

 acted diametrically opposed to everybody else. I was 

 surrounded with bigotry, hypocrisy, superstitions, ig- 

 norance, jealousies, etc. I have criticised, laughed, 

 sneered at many of their religious performances, would- 

 be morality, etc. I suppose that often I have hurt 

 the feelings of many, and yet after a while, on reflex- 

 ion, they have always acknowledged to me that I was 

 right. Even since I have come in contact with people 

 of all classes of society in my business, I have had some 

 difficulties with some of them, even rupture, but after 

 a few months or years, they have all come and told me 

 that We ! had been wrong. I have always said that 

 I had been sorry, but in the same circumstances I would 

 do it again. They included me in the We, but I did 

 not admit the association. I have followed my own 

 lines, like Gen. Grant did, only I have not reaped as 

 many Laurels (Laurus noliUs, sweet bay\ as he did, 



