Old Parkinson, the herbalist, writing 

 in 16^6 about the flowers and simples 

 growing in Old London, says that by 

 the Thames' side, near to Lambeth, 

 " grew the water violets more plenti- 

 fully than in any other spot." To 

 think of these violets, and then to call 

 to mind the Lambeth of to-day, the 

 home of smoky pot-works and dull 

 gloomy buildings, where never even 

 a blade of grass can find courage to 

 raise its head! The Thames to-day 

 would not recognise the Thames of 

 1656, with its wherries rowed by 

 watermen, its gay barges painted and 

 gilded and filled with parties bent on 

 pleasure, or perhaps going down to 

 Lambeth to gather " water violets." 



Pliny, who had a terrace of violets 

 about 'his villa that he might enjoy 

 their sweetness, traces to the East the 

 origin! of perfumery. To the luxury 

 of fresh flowers was added the 

 "47 



