Un 1ftew JBnglanfc 



who are as usual seeking amusement 

 during the Christmas holidays not to 

 omit looking in at the Public conserva- 

 tory. There are above one thousand 

 Camelia Japonica plants, some of the 

 largest now in full splendor, and others, 

 on the point of bursting their beautiful 

 buds. Among them are at least twenty 

 full-grown trees, ten to thirty years old. 

 It is calculated that during the next five 

 or six weeks several thousand Camelia 

 blossoms will expand : hundreds are now 

 in full bloom, and contrast beautifully 

 with the dark glossy foliage.'* 



This conservatory proved one of the 

 greatest attractions that could be offered 

 by a city, and I remember with many 

 pleasant associations the charming scene 

 presented, as one passed within its doors, 

 especially during the inclement season. 

 Unfortunately the building with its con- 

 tents was entirely destroyed by fire. 



In entering upon any description of 

 the estates and gardens which have occu- 

 pied the territory of several miles in 

 121 



