Forty Years' Life in Tropical Gardens. 289 



the \vi rk commenced. But oh. what work it was ! For a long time I was 

 clerk, secretary and assistant paymaster. There was no office, no house 

 had been taken for us, and after a short stay at the Tower Hotel we were 

 obliged to stay in the best that could be got near the garden site, the 

 old Government Laboratory on the Brickdam. It contained only one 

 divided living room, one bedroom and a sort of box room, and there we 

 were crowded together for three years and two months. 



The garden, now " Fisher's Road, " was utilised as a nursery, all the 

 beautiful Saman trees forming Vlissengen Avenue were raised there. 

 Indeed all the first trees, shrubs and flowering plants of the future 

 Botanic Gardens were started there. We had not a foot of private ground, 

 no fruit, no flowers or vegetables but those we bought I felt the change 

 dreadfully and the children felt it even more, the house was so small and 

 hot. No wonder we looked back longingly to our beautiful home and the 

 many advantages of our life in Trinidad. The Directors of the Gardens, 

 Mr. J. E. Tinne, Mr. W. H. Campbell and dear old Sheriff Brumell, did all 

 they could to lessen the discomfort of our position. The latter living near 

 put much pleasure and happiness in our life by his constant kindness and 

 forethought. His death was a personal grief to us and a distinct loss to 

 the Gardens. 



Our still nearer neighbours, the Kev. Thomas and Mrs. Slater, were 

 like parents to us and our children and were always a ready help in times 

 of trouble, till the death of the Minister and departure from the colony of 

 " Slater dear," as my babies always called Mrs. S., a name held in loving 

 remembrance. 



Mrs. Slater and I were able to do a great deal of helpful work 

 together during the dreadful yellow fever times of 1881-82, when the 

 brightest and bonniest seemed the chosen victims and we asked each 

 other fearfully who would be the next. It was a terrible time. 



In August, 1879, Mr. G. S. Jenman, who had been appointed Govern- 

 ment Botanist, arrived and took command. The history of the Gardens, 

 how T they were made and supplied, will, I hope, be written by an abler pen 

 than mine, a pen accustomed to write hard names and technicalities. The 

 " Story of the Avenue " has been written and was published in the 

 "Weekly Argosy." 



No one seeing the Central Avenue now can imagine what it was like 

 w 7 hen Mr. James Thomson, Mr. John Brumell, my husband and I went 

 exploring beyond the newly-laid out " Oval.'" We scrambled over tree 

 roots, slipped into muddy pools, made our way through bush and scrub, 

 and with all our trouble did not go far, it was too tiresome. Xow a walk 

 or drive up the Avenue to the Lamaha is a delight. It is always beautiful 

 in the early morning when every leaf and flower is sparkling ; in the heat 

 of the day it gives pleasant shade. In the bright moonlight or clear star- 

 shine its waving branches are like fairyland ; but I always like its peace 

 and soothing calm on a dark night " when the cares that affect the day ' 

 are lost in its shadows. 



