I/ ENVOI. 



where the charming reality can exist, and smile 

 upon us in its pure and dewy freshness ! 



Nothing less, it will be seen, than a revolution in 

 domestic ornamentation will realize the Author's 

 ideal an ideal which he fears he has faintly and 

 very imperfectly endeavoured to represent in these 

 pages. What effect could be more pleasing, more 

 delightful, more refreshing, and exhilarating to 

 wearied town dwellers, than the sight of graceful 

 fern-fronds everywhere surrounding them in and 

 about their houses ? Money, as already shown, 

 can be freely lavished if it be desired to employ 

 artistic accessories in indulging the taste which 

 the Author desires to see developed. Fern-cases, 

 stands and brackets, boxes, hanging-baskets, pots, 

 and, indeed, almost every conceivable arrangement 

 for holding the beautiful plants, with every elabora- 

 tion of carving and design, can be obtained in almost 

 infinite variety. The same facilities exist for 

 transforming the lawn or the garden into a ' Fern 

 Paradise ;' and the means employed can here also 

 be as elaborate and as artistic as wealth may desire. 

 Shady garden -walls may thus be draped with ferny 

 fronds. Embankments can be thrown up to fur- 



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