440 Retrospective Criticism. 



Bolton and Watts, Chambers, and others, the first and most successful ap- 

 plication of the system to forcing-houses, alone belonged to my late brother, 

 Mr, Anthony Bacon. I remain, Sir, yours, &c. — Thomas Bacon. Aber- 

 aman, August 10. 1828. 



Gardeners^ Wages. — Many persons think with me, that some of the 

 remarks in the Gardener's Magazine, relative to the education and remu- 

 neration of gardeners, are calculated to make them dissatisfied and presum- 

 ing. -^ Z. Nov. 3. 1 827. 



The introduction of letters, drawing comparative views of different 

 dependents in gentlemen's families, must surely tend to make gardeners 

 dissatisfied with their employers. Masters can only wish to make their 

 servants comfortable, in return for their services ; and, on the score of com- 

 pensation, recollect that the lawyer and the physician receive the same fees 

 now which their ancestors did in the four last reigns of our kings. — 

 X. Y.Z. March 3.1828. 



Though the above are the only communications of the kind which have 

 been sent us since the commencement of this Magazir-s, yet, as it is not 

 improbable that they may indicate the sentiments of several of our readers, 

 we have inserted them for the purpose of giving the feeling utterance, and 

 a fair chance of effecting what it can, for or against our editorial judgment. 

 If any thing we publish should have a tendency either to make gardeners 

 discontented, or their employers displeased, without sufficient reason, our 

 conduct would be decidedly wrong. We think we have hitherto kept within 

 due bounds, and consider the remarks of" Z.," and " X. Y. Z.," rather as 

 cautionary hints v.'ith a view to the future, than as positive blame for what 

 is past. The fact is, that whether we are right or wrong in having admitted 

 such papers, no harm can result from them, in a practical point of view, to 

 gentlemen who employ gardeners, in the present state of this country. 

 There never was a time when masters and employers of every kind, had 

 less to fear from servants and the employed, than they have at this 

 moment ; for the supply of labour, of all descriptions, tar exceeds the 

 demand. Every nursery is stocked with gardeners in want of situations, 

 and, therefore, if any master finds occasion to change, he has only to write 

 to the nearest nurseryman, and describe what he wants. It is incompa- 

 rably easier to get a good gardener than a good footman \ and it is, per- 

 haps, creditable to human nature, that the latter condition requires to be 

 better paid, fed, and lodged, than the former. It is very natural and 

 proper that gardeners should wish to have their wages raised, but no gen- 

 tleman need comply with their wishes from any feeling of compulsion, or 

 need ever have the slightest fear of being a moment without a good gar- 

 dener. While we state this on the one hand, it is proper that we should 

 also state, on the other, that we think no employer who understands his 

 own interest, will ever calculate on gaining much by lowering the wages of 

 any servant so situated as a gardener. The duties of this department of a 

 country establishment are so extensive, so various, and so much of the 

 comfort and enjoyment of country life depends on the manner in which 

 they are executed, that, to dishearten a gardener in any way, must be the 

 very worst policy. Take away from a country-seat all that is under the 

 charge of the gardener, and what would a residence there be worth ? 

 Compare one country-seat with another, and observe how much of that 

 residence which has the superiority, is the result of the care and skill of 

 the gardener. If gardeners were not men of extraordinary devotedness to 

 their profession, of unceasing care and attention, of comparative purity 

 and simplicity in their manner of life, and, let us add, of comparative in- 

 tellectual superiority, they would never fulfil the duties of their situations 

 for the very moderate share of comforts which are allotted to them. 

 Compare them in any point of view with any other servant about a gentle- 

 man's establishment. Have their wages been increased in the same pro- 

 portion as those of house-servants ? Yet, it is certain, the duties of a 



