366 APPENDIX. [No. XXXIV. 



has been increased by the injudicious, and doubtless false, boastings of 

 certain low class lawyers. 



The Bar unite iii considering that the time has come when the judge 

 who daily cannot refrain from sleeping on the bench should rest on his 

 former well-earned laurels, when everyone will heartily wish him a long 

 and happy life to enjoy that to which we may all fairly aspire otium 

 cum dignitate. 



CHANCERY REFORM. 



The highest expectations are entertained by the Chancery Bar of the 

 reforms anticipated to be made by the learned and earnest mind now pre- 

 siding over our Courts of Equity ; but much may be done before his great 

 scheme of reform can be perfected and brought into operation. 



Any judge who, from peculiarity of habit or infirmity of age, sleeps 

 on the bench during the argument, should gracefully retire, and two judges 

 should preside over each of the lower courts, to satisfy suitors that 

 partiality for any particular advocate does not exist. 



The scandal of the present combination of liquidator and lawyer has 

 arisen from modern legislation, and is one of the worst features of Chancery 

 administrations. Needy accountants and wit-making lawyers now get a 

 higher remuneration than the Vice-chancellors themselves, by using the 

 funds of the creditors to harass contributories for their own gain, and 

 matters which might be settled in five minutes now frequently occupy as 

 many years. 



Unfortunately but few of our present Equity judges have been behind 

 the scenes to know the working of this machinery, which has caused so 

 much dissatisfaction; but they must perceive that a restriction of the 

 discretionary powers of liquidators is now absolutely necessary. 



By careful regulations a court of appeal may be rendered less neces- 

 sary, and confidence in the administration in the Court of Chancery 

 restored. . 



No. XXXIV. 



A GOSSIP ABOUT GARDENING. A Lecture delivered impromptu, 

 December 4, 1871. By ALFRED SMEE, F.R.S. 



ABOUT two thousand years ago, the great poet Horace said that the height 

 of his ambition was to have a garden with a crystal stream running 

 through it, and also a small wood. 



That also is my case, and my wish, as I suppose his was, has been 

 gratified ; and on this occasion I will shortly give you an account of the 

 philosophy by which we conduct our garden, and of some of the more 

 remarkable plants which are grown therein. 



All plants, as you know, are organized beings which require certain 

 forces for their development. In the first place, it is absolutely necessary 

 that they have a sufficient supply of the light of the sun. Light is one of 

 the most important physical agents which we use. Some plants require 

 the full light of the sun, for instance, the cucumber as grown in our 



