"A FINE OLD ENGLISH GENTLEMAN" 317 



brated for its high culture and for its curious and beauti- 

 ful treasures from distant lands. The springtime brought 

 numerous visitors to this house, being the period between 

 Banks 's residence in London and the ruralizing at 

 Revesby. " Here he dined daily at four o'clock, in 

 order that his frequent visitors from London might have 

 ample time to return home in the evening. When the 

 weather permitted, his guests adjourned to have tea 

 and coffee under the cedars in the garden. In the inter- 

 mediate time it was not unusual to visit his hot-houses 

 and conservatories, under the auspices of his unmarried 

 sister, Miss Banks ; or the dairy, under the especial 

 care of Lady Banks, who was proud of displaying a 

 magnificent collection of old china-ware which was there 

 deposited." (B. C. Brodie, p. 74.) 



When the Horticultural Society was set on foot, Sir 

 Joseph was thus prepared to assist materially in carrying 

 out its objects. Over twenty years of practical work and 

 experiment had made him a high authority in fruit and 

 flower culture ; and, as may be seen by the list of his 

 published contributions to the Horticultural Society's 

 Transactions, his knowledge and experience covered 

 a wide field. By this time, Spring Grove was become 

 famous for its horticultural wealth. Foreigners were 

 made welcome, and Banks's intimate friends were often 

 there by standing invitations. 



Spring Grove is one of the pleasant places lost to the 

 present generation, through suburban encroachment. Our 

 picture of the house, as it appeared a century ago, sug- 

 gests a real adjacent " grove," and possibilities of a large 

 and roomy garden. The name is alleged by Banks to 

 come from an actual spring in the woods, from which a 

 water supply for the household was obtained ; and which 

 also fed a convenient pond, thence escaping to Smallberry 

 Green. The pond was the scene of various experiments. 

 One of these was the raising of the American Cranberry, 



