THE FEEN PARADISK. 



placed amidsb the bustle and grind and worry of 

 modern city life ; nor does it need the fostering 

 care, in despite of which too often our floral 

 beauties will pine and die; but in the garret or 

 cellar, as in the stately mansion, will flourish and 

 look green, refreshing the wearied spirit and 

 resting the tired brain r suggesting many a 

 thought of woods, green fields, and sweet wild 

 flowers, to those whose destiny is rarely, perhaps 

 never, to taste the delights of a health-giving 

 country ramble.' 1 The same writer, in noticing 

 that one object of the Author of this Plea ' for 

 Fern-culture is ' to brighten the homes of the 

 poor by teaching them that a new source of 

 pleasure is within their easy reach,' remarks 

 that, though the suggestions of the volume 

 must probably come to the poor at second-hand, 

 through those who take an interest in them, 

 ' with a little teaching, and by the force of 

 example, Fern -culture might be a source of 

 pleasure.' But he argues that, * when need 

 presses heavily, and the struggle for daily bread 



1 The Spectator. 



40 



