336 THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN 



there for four or five hundred years. From Esher 

 Place also the 'Aster House' of 'King Henry VIIF 

 come many beautiful flowers and herbs. 



"The sentiment, which has prompted such 

 generosity, has equally appealed to many possessors 

 of more modern gardens; while the authorities of 

 Kew Gardens, regarding the scheme as one of na- 

 tional concern, have cordially aided the Trustees 

 both with counsel and with contributions. 



"Last, but by no means least, are the many small 

 gifts from quite small gardens, even of cottagers; 

 while, in some ways, the most pleasing of all, are 

 the subscriptions from school children of some of the 

 poorest districts in the East End of London for 

 instance, of the Mansford Street Central, and 

 Pritchard's Road Schools, Bethnal Green for the 

 purchase of favorite flowers of the dramatist, whose 

 plays they have so often witnessed with delight at 

 the 'Old Vic/ and elsewhere. 



"Thus, effect has been given to a prime desire of 

 the Trustees, that as large as possible a number of 

 people in every section of the community should be 

 associated with this tribute to Shakespeare's memory. 



"Most of the plants needful to furnish forth 

 Shakespeare's garden in the style of his own time 

 have been forthcoming in sufficient quantities yet 



