10 INTRODUCTORY. 



to the plum-pudding in their respective homes, they com- 

 menced their journey to Mr. Carew's house in Devonshire, 

 Esther pausing in her route to join her cousin Edward, that 

 they might proceed together. 



Hearty was the greeting and eager the delight of the young 

 people when each produced his or her packet of dried flowers, 

 and prepared to arrange them together in natural groups. Mr. 

 Carew's daughters, and some young friends staying with them, 

 begged to be allowed to be present, while a clever lad from the 

 school promised to take down all the information in shorthand 

 for the use of the promised lectures. At Esther's desire, each 

 arranged the members of the first natural family, that of the 

 Ranunculus, and so the budgets were fairly opened. 



