27 



Such -was the taste for trees and shrubs in England at 

 the time the magnificent demesnes of White Knights and 

 Blenheim were planted, the picturesque beauty of whose 

 grounds and extent of their plantations eclipsed the regal 

 splendor of their palaces. As early as the commencement 

 of the century the Duke of Marlborough began to plant 

 Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Kalmias and Magnolias, when 

 these and others of our commonest American plants sold 

 readily for twenty to thirty guineas each. Twenty-two 

 plants of the Magnolia grandiflora, the most noble tree 

 America has produced, occupy a wall at Blenheim one hun- 

 dred and forty-five feet long, twenty-four high, and cost five 

 guineas each. 



What useless extravagance, perhaps you may exclaim, 

 especially when it is remembered how deeply involved in 

 debt was the Duke. But why extravagant? Are not 

 twenty or thirty or even one hundred guineas often paid 

 for some gay equipage, for some favorite jewel, or some 

 costly article of dress ? and will either of these aff'ord more 

 unalloyed pleasure than a magnificent tree, beneath whose 

 refreshing shade you may repose, listening to 



" The bend 



Of stirring branches," 



watching the sunbeam as it plays among the leaves, and, 

 yielding to their tranquilizing influences, muse on the 

 beauties of nature. 



The occasion will not admit of a more minute history of 

 gardening, nor should I be capable of undertaking the task,. 



