Retrospective Criticism. 311 



ness of Judea, is really past my comprehension. I am, dear Sir, yours, 

 really, — Agronome. 



Mr. Alfred KendalPs Library. — In answer to your first question, " Do 

 j'ou approve of Garden Libraries ?" I would ask, what gardener in his right 

 senses can object to a measure so eminently calculated for his own benefit 

 and amusement ? To your second question, " What have you done for 

 them ?" my answer is, but little : yet I have done as much for them as the 

 circumstances in which I have been placed would adriiit of. You will see, 

 in comparing this with my former communications, that I have changed my 

 employer. I had not done so more than a fortnight, when the head of the 

 family I now serve. Sir C. T. Palmer, Bart., died. Thus all hopes of es- 

 tablishing a garden library here are at present cut off, the present baronet 

 being a minor. During the whole of my life spent as a gardener, it has. 

 been my lot to be placed in situations where the books 1 have read, with 

 but few exceptions, have been purchased by myself. After this statement, 

 I think I need not assure you that I feel for the man placed in similar cir- 

 cumstances. My library, though small, (.enclosed is a list of its contents 

 [about one hundred well selected volumes],) has always been accessible to 

 every one desirous of improvement, with no other restriction than that of 

 keeping the borrowed books clean. — Alfred Kendall. Wanliji Hall, Leices~ 

 tershire, July 7. 1827. 



272^ Bristol Nursery Library was established on the 1st of August, 

 1827, in Mr. Millar's nurserj', chiefly, we believe, through the exertions of 

 our zealous, intelligent, and active correspondent, Mr. P. Masey, jun. Mr. 

 Millar has contributed liberally to it, and also Mr. Masey ; and Messrs. 

 Longman, Rees, and Co., and ourselves, have sent a 'few volumes. The 

 printed rules and regulations of this library are simple, and, as it appears 

 to us, extremely judicious, and fitting for a pattern to other institutions of 

 the same kind. One article is, " that in case any resolution should pass for 

 breaking up this Society, the books and other property belonging to the 

 same, or the proceeds, after being sold, shall be given to other Garden Li- 

 braries, as the Committee may determine." An album, or common-place 

 journal, is kept in the library-room, in order, as Mr. Masey expresses itj 

 " to induce the members to become writing as well as reading gardeners." 

 This album has been sent us for inspection and remark, and we have only 

 to say, that we highly approve of the plan ; and, as a proof of the value 

 which we set on the articles inscribed, we have abridged some of them, and 

 extracted others, for insertion in this Magazine. A similar journal, vie 

 believe, is kept in the library of the Clapton nursery, in which the lectures 

 delivered by the members ot" that library are insci'ibed. The example set, 

 by the members of these libraries is well worth the imitation of others. 



Lending Libraries have been established at Leyton and Barking, and an 

 attempt has been made on a smaller scale at West Clandon, in Surrey. 

 Some private families have also made the same experiment, " as an im- 

 proving resource for servants." (Scotsman.) 



Art. X. Retrospective Criticism. 



Dyer's Retrocoupling Bee-boxes. — Dear Sir, It was my intention 

 to write to you from seeing your opinion upon the common straw hive 

 and suffocating system, both of which I condenm, especially that of suffo- 

 cating. I perfectly agree with Mr. C. Hale Jessop, who has been before- 

 hand with me in his communication. I beg to state that I do not think 

 Dyer the inventor of retrocoupling, or lateral, boxes (Vol. III. p. 414.); 

 you will find the same sort of boxes described in the Encyclopcsdia Britan- 



X 4 



