ADVICE FOR LACKLAND. 29 



the appreciable and honest enjoyment of fruit which 

 he ever had in his life. There lives about the London- 

 Dock- Vaults a race of pimpled-faced men whose pro- 

 fessional service it is to guzzle small draughts of 

 Chateau Margaux or of rare Port, which they whip 

 about with their tongues and expend their tasting 

 faculties upon, with enormous gravity : but who in 

 the world supposes that these can have the same 

 appreciation of an honest bumper of wine, which a 

 quiet Christian gentleman has, who sits down to his 

 dinner with a moderate glass of good, sound Bor- 

 deaux at his elbow ? 



Outsiders may, I think, find a little comfort in 

 this, and take courage in respect of their old Hovey 

 patches if they will keep them only clean and rich. 



But I have not said all this out of any want of 

 regard for Horticulture as an art, demanding both 

 skill and devotion ; nor have I said it from any want 

 of respect for those pomologists who are boldly lead- 

 ing the van in the prosecution of the Art ; but I have 

 wished simply to clear away a little platform from 

 which to talk about the wants of humble cultivators, 

 and the way in which those wants are to be met. 



And here my old question recurs what shall be 

 done for them ? 



To give my reply definite shape, I picture to my- 

 self my old friend Lackland, who has grown tired of 



