ADVICE FOR LACKLAND. 59 



misdirected energy slicing off, in the heat of his 

 endeavor, two or three of Mrs. Lackland's choicest 

 rocket larkspurs ; whereupon that lady conies down 

 upon him with some zeaL 



"Larkspur! and that's a larkspur, is it, m'am 

 (scratching his head reflectingly) ? and, begorra, I 

 niver once thought 'twas a larkspur. Pity, pity ; and 

 so it was, indade, a larkspur ? Well, well, but it's 

 lucky it wa'nt a rose-bush, m'am." 



And yet the good-natured blunder-head in the 

 shape of a gardener is far more endurable, to one 

 thoroughly interested in country life, than the surly 

 fellow who, if he gives you early vegetables, resents 

 a suggestion, and who will take a pride in making 

 any particular scheme of the proprietor miscarry by 

 a studied neglect of its details. 



Upon the whole, I should lay down as sound 

 advice for any one who, like Lackland, is beginning 

 to establish for himself a home in the country that 

 shall be completely enjoyable, the following rules 

 with respect to the pursuit and employment of a 

 gardener : 



First, if your notion of country enjoyment is 

 limited by thought of a good place where you may 

 lie down under the trees, and frolic with your chil- 

 dren, or smoke a pipe under your vine, or clambering 

 rose-tree at evening find a gardener who is thorough- 



