2 



FLOWER-GARDENS 



bramble, with a train of noxious attendants, 

 would lord it all around. To the industry, 

 then, of the gardener we are indebted for scenes 

 of rural beauty quite unparalleled ; and to his 

 science we owe the possession of every whole- 

 some fruit and root. In times too, now long 

 gone by, ere the ruthless Reformation smote 

 this land, the gardener's nomenclature was 

 truly Christian ; for scarcely a flower, or shrub, 

 or root was known, the name of which did not 

 tend to put us in mind of future happiness in 

 the realms of eternal bliss. Hence the 

 gardener is my friend ; and wherever I have 

 an opportunity of surveying lands which bear 

 marks of his interesting labours, I wish him 

 well from my heart, and I hope that he may 

 not fail to receive a remunerating return for 

 his many useful services to us. 



Were I asked my opinion of a highly-culti- 

 vated English flower-garden, I should say that 

 it is the loveliest sight in rural nature ; and, 

 moreover, that if it afforded me an opportunity 

 of listening to the song of birds, I should 

 pronounce it little short of absolute perfection. 

 But, in general, the charming melody of birds 

 is of rare occurrence in the modern flower- 



