HISTORICAL GARDENS 311 



meadow. The great tree in 1865 measured 15 feet 

 5 inches; in 1894, 17 feet 3 inches. The tulip tree died 

 about the same time as the hickory. The honey locust 

 [Gleditschia triacanthos)^ one of Bishop Compton's trees, 

 only died last year, the large white elm in 1904, and, 

 sad to say, the flowering ash {Fraxinus ornus) was blown 

 down in March 1907. The Wych elm and a beautiful 

 walnut still flourish, and also the variety of Turkey oak 

 {Quercus cerris lucumheana or fulhamensis), so in spite of 

 many disasters Fulham Palace still can show some fine trees. 



Chelsea still abounds in gardens. There are the 

 modern plots along the Embankment, laid out with 

 the wriggling path that municipal authorities seem to 

 deem necessary nowadays. The private gardens in front 

 of some of the houses are an older institution, and some 

 can boast of delightful patches of old gardens in their rear 

 also. Behind Lindsay House the Moravian burial-ground 

 is hidden away, and part of its wall may be the actual wall 

 of Sir Thomas More's garden. There are the remains of 

 elms and several good mulberry trees. The large mulberry 

 on the Embankment near looks as if it once might have 

 been in the garden too. Chelsea further possesses one of 

 the first botanical gardens in England, the Duke of York's 

 School with large grass area and fine elm trees, and the 

 spacious grounds that surround the Hospital. Much 

 of the old stately simplicity still clings to these latter, 

 although last century saw many variations in their plan. 



The site was occupied by King James's College, 

 founded by Matthew Sutcliffe, Dean of Exeter, in 16 10, 

 which, in spite of the King's patronage and the interest 

 of Prince Henry, v/as a failure. It added to, rather 

 than allayed, religious discussion, and was familiarly 

 known as " Controversy College." The ground was. 



