INTRODUCTORY. 



however small, a rustic raised bed against the 

 window, planted with ivy or hardy Ferns, and 

 filled up with something gay, will make even a 

 mean suburban villa look charming.' The writer 

 in The Spectator concedes that, though in all cases 

 he would prefer the mingling of flowers with 

 Ferns, the Author of ' THE FERN PARADISE ' will 

 ' probably make a great many converts to his way 

 of thinking.' The Author trusts and believes 

 that he has been enabled to inoculate some of his 

 readers with his own love of Ferns, and he will 

 have reason to hope for still more converts to his 

 way of thinking if future readers will adopt the 

 pleasant suggestion with which the writer in The 

 Spectator closes his pleasant review, namely, to 

 take up this volume as ' one to be lazily studied ' 

 in one of its Author's ' favourite nooks, leaning 

 against a granite boulder, almost hidden by Ferns 

 and mosses, with graceful, drooping trees above 

 you, and a companion of kindred tastes with 

 whom to share your enjoyment.' 



The eloquent tribute of a Quarterly Reviewer 

 to the gracefulness and beauty of Ferns will find 

 an appropriate place here, especially as the same 



45 



