and ofBural Improvement generally, during 1836. 6l5 



even at that short distance of time. The working classes, and 

 more especially servants of all sorts, were then considered as the 

 natural enemies of the wealthy and independent classes ; and the 

 great object of government, and of individuals, was to keep them 

 ignorant of every thing beyond the kind of work in which they 

 were employed. The contrast between these times, near though 

 they be, and the times at present, is indeed most remarkable; 

 and not less remarkable than it is gratifying. We find, in 1836, 

 a committee of the House of Commons recommending the esta- 

 blishment of a general system of education, in which all useful 

 knowledge is to be taught to all persons; and another com- 

 mittee (that on the fine arts) recorhmending the establishment 

 of schools of design, museums, and libraries, for the benefit of 

 the working mechanics and manufacturers ; and also the establish- 

 ment of botanic gardens, &c., for the same purpose. We find, 

 too, a benevolent individual in the House of Commons, and a 

 highly respectable committee under the presidency of the Earl 

 of Euston (see /hrhitectural Magazi?ie, vol. iii. p. 360.), recom- 

 mending the establishment of public gardens and public baths, 

 and promenades for the health and recreation of the inhabitants 

 of towns. It is evident, from these appearances, that the working 

 classes are now looked upon in a very different point of view 

 from what they were formerly ; and that, instead of attempting 

 to keep them under as slaves, or useful living machines, they 

 are now considered worthy of enjoying life, as well as the rich, 

 and of being raised to the moral and intellectual level of their 

 employers. Such is the wonderful change of opinion that has 

 come over the face of society in this country during the last ten 

 years ! 



It is highly satisfactory to us to find the London Horticultural 

 Society keeping pace with the spirit of the times ; and cooperat- 

 ing with the general desire for improvement. The idea of ex- 

 amining gardeners in the manner before stated, we have no doubt 

 originated with Dr. Lindley, who has thus rendered a most 

 important service to the gardening world. It affords us some 

 satisfaction to reflect that, from the period of the publication of 

 the first edition of the Encyclopedia of Gardenings in 1822, to 

 the present moment, we have always been an advocate for a 

 general system of education applicable to all ; and especially for 

 highly educating gardeners. We have persisted in recommend- 

 ing this, both in the Gardener's Magazine^ and in the Magazine 

 of Natural History. Mr. Denson, in the year 1834 (see vol. x. 

 p. 59.), also strongly recommended that candidates for the 

 curatorships of public gardens should be examined by a professor 

 of established reputation, either belonging to the institute, or 

 hired for the occasion ; an excellent idea, which may afford a 

 valuable hint to provincial societies of various descriptions, both 



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