xxxvn LETTERS TO MARCO 257 



vellous beauty, though it lasted but a few 

 seconds." 



A kingfisher frequents the inside of my 

 boat-house every year in the winter months, 

 evidently, by his marks, sitting on the edge of 

 my punt ; and once or twice on going down 

 the steps to look at the boats the bird has 

 flown out through the entrance-way, so close 

 over my head that I could have caught it 

 easily with my hand if I had not been so 

 startled. 



On looking through my letters to you I 

 find I have left unsaid very much that would 

 have interested you, especially as regards the 

 plants and flowers in my garden. Flowers, 

 however, must be seen growing in situ to 

 enjoy them properly. Descriptions of their 

 beauty are of very little value; even the pleas- 

 ure derived from cut flowers, as decorations 

 for our rooms, is as nothing to that which is 

 felt by those who plant, nurture, and watch 

 their growth from bud to seed-time. 



Your son Walter has all this pleasure in 

 s 



