On the London Horticultural Society. 393 



attempted a scientific botanical collection ; but, destitute as the 

 neighbourhood of London is of one that is usefully open to 

 the public, I should not regret their doing it. 



The observation in your correspondent's letter respecting 

 the admission of strangers, induces me to believe he is un- 

 acquainted with the facility afforded. A Fellow may introduce 

 one when he visits the garden himself, or he may obtain a 

 ticket for a friend by application to the office in Regent Street. 

 Indeed, a stranger, personally applying, will have one granted ; 

 and it is only to those who have subscribed ten pounds and 

 upwards towards the formation of the garden, the privilege is 

 allowed of filling up tickets ; and which, although I do not 

 possess it myself, I think very reasonable and proper. Upon 

 the whole, I am greatly pleased with this Society with all its 

 faults, (and what is perfect?) and most earnestly wish it suc- 

 cess. Still I always thought its expenditure enormous, even 

 when there was only the small garden at Hammersmith : but 

 experience, I doubt not, will lead to the adoption of more 

 economical and mature arrangements ; the useless will be laid 

 aside, and the important ones only followed. 



I am, Sir, &c. 



A Friend to Facts. 

 August 24. 1826. 



Art. XL Observations on the Article of i{ A Fellow of the 

 Society" relative to the Conduct and Administration of the 

 London Horticultural Society. By a Friend to Discussion. 



Sir, 



Being partial to gardening, and a friend to free discussion 

 on every subject, I have thrown together a few observations 

 on an article in your second Number on the Horticultural 

 Society ; and though I differ from the author of that paper as 

 well as from you in some particulars, I trust to your candour 

 and impartiality to insert them. 



The cause of all the evil, in your correspondent's eyes, is 

 the unpaid secretary ; and certainly the first thing that must 

 strike every one on this subject is, that it is very hard to do 

 " so much for the Society," as both your correspondent and 

 you allow that he has done, and yet get neither money nor 

 thanks. But if your correspondent has ever belonged to any 

 other society, he must know that the business of no society 

 could go on without a secretary who had a deal of power, 



