THE LURE OF THE GARDEN 



were made by many persons, chief among them that 

 Duke of Argyle called the "Tree-monger" by Horace 

 Walpole on account of his passion for fine trees. He 

 sent the queen a large number of rare and foreign trees 

 for the gardens. 



In 1759, Aiton, a pupil of the celebrated Philip 

 Miller of Chelsea Gardens, was made director. " A 

 gentleman," says an old record, " no less distinguished 

 for his private virtues than his knowledge of plants, 

 and great skill in cultivating them." What he did with 

 his private virtues we are not informed, but his profes- 

 sional abilities " quickly secured him the notice of the 

 late Sir Joseph Banks, and a friendship commenced 

 which subsisted between them for life." 



It was this same Sir Joseph who made a voyage 

 round the world, and sent many valuable plants and 

 seeds to Kew. 



George III finally purchased the estate, continuing 

 to improve it. He tore down Kew House, and re- 

 moved its furniture to a quaint red brick mansion of a 

 far older date, which had once been owned by a Sir 

 Hugh Portman, "the rich gentleman who was knighted 

 by Queen Elizabeth." This house was afterward 

 known as Kew Palace, and it was here that Queen 

 Charlotte died. Kew now became the favorite royal 

 suburban residence, and daily grew more beautiful. 



It remained a possession of the crown's, being main- 

 tained by funds supplied by " The Board of Green 



218 



