London Horticultural Society and Garden. 381 



and Brentford, for sixpence. Refreshments may be had in the garden for those 

 who choose them ; but, to see the garden in every part, to examine the flowers 

 exhibited, to enjoy the different bands of music stationed in different parts of 

 the garden, and to mix indiscriminately with the whole of the company, need 

 cost no individual more than 5s. 6d. So much elevating, humanising, and 

 rational enjoyment is not to be obtained for a similar sum, as far as we are 

 aware, in the metropolis, or its neighbourhood. 



It is most gratifying to observe the propriety, urbanity, and decorum that 

 pervade the immense mass of persons assembled in these gardens ,• the care 

 that is taken not to injure either the plants of the garden, or the dug and 

 raked borders, which is carried to such an extent, that not a leaf is touched by 

 a single individual. We were not in the habit of attending the public break- 

 fasts which weregiven in these gardens some years ago, and for which the lowest 

 price charged, we believe, was a guinea ; but we are informed by those who 

 have been in the constant habit of attending all the pubhc meetings in the 

 garden since they were first commenced, that then, when the company must 

 have consisted almost entirely of persons of rank, or, at least, of very consider- 

 able wealth, neither the borders nor the flowers were so much respected as they 

 are now. The truth is, these gardens, and the two Zoological Gardens of the me- 

 tropolis, have, during the last ten years, been gradually and almost impercep- 

 tibly working a wonderful change for the better on the manners and hearts of 

 the metropolitan public. The more universal education of the children of 

 the working classes, and the greatly improved mode of educating those of the 

 classes immediately above them; together with the diffusion of useful and ele- 

 gant knowledge, by the means of cheap publications, among both classes, has 

 been improving, in like manner, their minds and heads. And once, as we have 

 repeatedly stated, let there be something like an equality among mankind in 

 knowledge and manners ; and the difference in point of wealth, instead of lead- 

 ing the poor to envy or hate the rich, and the rich to dread or despise the 

 poor, will lead both parties to look upon each other with respect, and, from 

 a feeling of mutual obligation, even with affection. Such is the great good 

 which these scenes of healthy enjoyment are effecting for civilisation. The 

 Horticultural Societies of the country are co-operating to the same end ; and, 

 as whatever takes place in England is imitated, sooner or later, throughout 

 the whole civilised world, we shall have, at no great distance of time, the same 

 cause producing the same effects every where. 



Competition for prizes may be considered as the originating cause of this 

 and similar exhibitions; and, of course, it is no easy matter for the judges, in 

 awarding the premiums, to give satisfaction to all the competitors. In con- 

 sequence of some evil repoi'ts having been promulgated on this subject, the 

 Council of the Society has deemed it proper to print the following paragraph, 

 copies of which were given to exhibitors at the garden gates. 



" Horticultural Society of London, 

 June, 1836. 



" Reports having been maliciously circulated that some of the gentlemen 

 acting as Judges at the Exhibitions in the Society's Garden are acquainted 

 previously to settling their award with the names of the persons by whom the 

 subjects placed upon the tables are exhibited, the Council of the Society think 

 it due both to themselves and the Judges to declare, that such reports are 

 altogether false and unfounded, and that the names of the exhibitors are 

 never disclosed to the Judges until after the award is finally determined on. 



" George Bentham, 

 " Secretary" 



Exhibitions at the Garden, June 11., and award of the judges. 



The Gold Knightian Medal. — For alstroemerias, to Mr. Lane, gardener to 

 J. H. Palmer, Esq., F.H.S. ; for a large collection of green-house plants, to 

 Mr. W. Barnes, gardener to G.W. Norman, Esq., F.H.S. 



Vol. Xn. — No. 76. f f 



