CHAPTER XVII. 



The Fuchsia. TJie Myrtle. 



These graceful flowers have a curious history. They are natives of South 

 America, and were first brought to England nearly a hundred years ago. Mr 

 Lee, a well-known English florist, introduced them to the public in 1774. A 

 customer purchasing plants of him said : ' I saw, in a window at Wapping, a 

 prettier flower than all your greenhouses can produce. The flowers hung like 

 tassels from the drooping branches ; their color was of the richest crimson, and 

 in the centre were folded leaves of the brightest Tyrian purple dye." 



Mr. Lee enquired the exact locality where this rare novelty was to be seen, 

 and hastened to behold it. At a glance he knew its worth. Entering the house 

 he told its mistress that he would pay any price that she chose to ask for her 

 plant. No, she could not sell it ; it had been brought by her sailor boy from 

 over the sea, and for his sake she cherished it. 



Mr. Lee must have it; so he emptied his pockets of their contents of gold, sil- 

 ver, and copper, amounting in all to over eight guineas. Placing them on her 

 table, he said : 



"All this money is yours, and the plant mine. I'll give you one of the first 

 cuttings I raise ; and when your boy returns the plant will be quite as handsome 

 as this one." 



Money always has a potent force, and the woman reluctantly consented, and 

 Mr. Lee hastened away with his treasure. He cut it into joints, these he forced 

 in hot beds, and the smallest branch took root. Every effort was employed to 

 increase his stock, and in two months he had three hundred plants growing 

 finely. 



As soon as the first plant bloomed the pot was exhibited in his show window. 

 A lady of rank was the first visitor; she was delighted with the loveliness and 

 grace of the flower, and must have the plant, for which she gladly paid one 

 guinea. That night the Duchess entertained friends, and her rare plant was 

 much admired. The following day Mr. Lee had many visitors, but only two 

 plants were in bloom. 



Others were engaged, however, and before the summer closed he had made three 

 hundred guineas from the Fuchsia. Since that time one cannot estimate the 

 amount of money that has been expended upon these plants, nor the time and 

 patience that has been given to their culture ; but the results are seen in the 

 hundreds of varieties now offered for sale, and they increase yearly in size and 

 beauty of coloring, and popular favor. The variety from wh ; ch they originated 



