Retrospective Criticism. 85 



iron ; a rivet at every intersection. 

 I You will see that a better mechanical 

 arrangement of forces could not be 

 i made. 



I think your observations on ano- 

 malies of horticulture, and keeping 

 i accounts without writing, are very 

 trivial, and ought to be omitted. I 

 am, Sir, yours, &c. — Robert Mallet. 

 Ryder Row, Dublin, Feb. 9. 1831. 

 - Corrections for the Encyclopcedia of Plants. — Sir, In the New York Farmer, 

 vol. iii. p. 149., and in vol. iv. p. 59., are a number of corrections. The 

 writer dwells, and justly, upon the apparently sneering notice taken of 

 "a Mr. James Logan, said to have been the author of some experiments 

 upon the generation of plants." As I do not suppose you were the author 

 of that remark, I cannot help saying that it is either a mark of the igno- 

 rance or the superciliousness of whoever made it, for either of which he 

 deserves censure. The work of Logan was written while the author was 

 on his travels in Europe, in Latin, and translated by the celebrated 

 Dr. John Fothergill, and it does honour to Logan, who was chief justice of 

 Pennsylvania, and one of the most learned men of the day. — J. Mease. 

 Philadelphia, May 16. 1831. 



Gymnbcladus canadensis, the Kentuck}' coffee-tree, which in your 

 Encyclopcedia of Plants, p. 842., you denominate a "tree or shrub," and 

 describe as " twining about the neighbouring trees and shrubs ; " is no 

 shrub ; neither does it twine at all. It is a perfectly straight tree, 80 ft. 

 high, and abounds in the Western States. As Michaux has described it 

 fully, it is singular that any mistake was made about it. Its seeds are 

 used for coffee. — J. M. Philadelphia, March 6. 1831 



Irish Cottages, Sfc. — Sir, Mr. Howden, in the article on the mud cabins 

 in Ireland (Vol. VI. p. 657.), has very unj ustly indulged his wit at the 

 expense of my country and countrymen. I believe I am correct when I 

 state that his services at Lord Doneraile's " did but render very indifferent 

 satisfaction." If he had not such a good cottage to live in, therefore, as 

 the one he now occupies, it is probable his employer did not think him 

 entitled to any thing better. — Thos. Small. Near the Church, Bexley, Kent, 

 Nov. 29. 1831. 



Giving the Credit to Gardeners ivhich is due to their Employers. — In 

 several of your Numbers, in alluding to horticultural improvements that 

 have been effected or were in contemplation, the gardener has had the 

 merit of design and execution, and the owner is confined to the mere duty 

 of paying for them. Throughout your pages I could quote a thousand 

 instances where the master and the servant are so confounded (except 

 possibly, to local knowledge), that something like Lear's enquiry as to 

 " which is the justice, and which the thief," is necessary to determine the 

 distinction. I will, however, content myself, for the present, in referring to 

 your last Number (Vol. VII. p. 540.) : — " We have strongly recommended 

 Mr. Dodd, gardener to Sir James Graham at Netherby, to adopt metallic 

 curvilinear houses and hot water in the erections which are about to be 

 made in the kitchen-garden there, and we trust that he will not forget our 

 recommendation." In thus inviting the servant to adopt a particular and 

 extensive arrangement, without the slightest even complimentary reference 

 to his master, are you not injuring him, by embodying against him that 

 natural offence which wounded pride must ever feel at unauthorised 

 assumption ? If Sir James Graham could for an instant consider that 

 his gardener encouraged or participated in your attempt to raise him 

 above his station, I think the baronet would be deserving the condition to 

 which you (perhaps inadvertently) have sought to lower him, if he did not 

 allow Mr. Dodd to seek for another site than Netherby for the adoption of 



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