Chapter IV—JiANUz/fRr 



The Garden in Mid-Winter 



" Profusion bright ! and every flower assuming 

 A more than natural vividness of" hue, 

 From unaffected contrast with the gloom 

 Of sober cypress." 



Wordsworth. 



T 



HE effect of the copious rainfall of 

 last autumn is still felt in our 

 garden. Never before in mid- 

 January have we been so rich in 

 flowers ; never have the roses especially 

 bloomed with such a reckless abandon. 



I have already related that six years ago our 

 house stood in the middle of several acres of 

 banana trees, with a small garden plot in front. 

 The whole property is on a moderate slope, 

 facing to the south-east, and is divided into 

 about half a dozen main terraces. We resisted 

 the blandishments of those who would have us 

 lay out a garden on a preconceived scheme. In 

 succeeding years we have taken different pieces 



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