GARDEN CRAFT. 



91 



cricket-ball bits you more frequently tban you bit the ball, wben 

 the bails are off before the bat is down, and the impudent 

 spectator, as you miss the catch, makes derisive inquiries as to 

 the price of butter. 



Yes, we lose our zest for these diversions on flood and field, 

 but the love of a garden, like Tennyson's brook, goes on for ever. 

 Age cannot wither it, nor custom stale its infinite variety. That 

 grand old gardener, Thomas Rivers, of Sawbridgeworth, said to 

 me, " You will gradually lose your enjoyment of those pastimes 

 which require great strength and agility, but your love among 

 the roses never." 



It is not only that " a thing of beauty is a joy for ever," but « 



Its loveliness increases ; it will never 

 Pass into nothingness, but still will keep 

 A bower, quiet for us, and a sleep 

 Full of sweet dreams and health. 



Nature never did betray 

 The heart that loved her. "lis her privilege 

 Through all the years of this our life to lead 

 From joy to joy. 



Intermediate between those who have lost and those who 

 have retained or recovered their love of the beautiful, there is a 

 mixed and miserable multitude which pretends that it is fond of 

 flowers. Their perceptive powers are just strong enough to 

 acknowledge the attractiveness of form and colour, and to allow 

 that a garden is " the sort of thing which a fellow must have, 

 don't yer know." I feel for them as I feel for the blind, hoping, 

 so long as they keep silence, that they are conscious of their 

 ignorance, and are anxious not to expose it ; but when, em- 

 boldened by the possession of a conservatory or a few thousand 

 plants for bedding out, or in imitation of some noble neighbours, 

 who are devoted to their gardens, they suddenly lay claim to a 

 like enthusiasm, why then the milk of human kindness is apt to 

 turn a little sour. These pseudo-florists have no more resem- 

 blance to the true philanthist than a schoolboy's kite to a 

 flying eagle, or a tin soldier to a lifeguardsman ; and yet they 

 have the effrontery to tell you that they are awfully gone on 

 gardens in general, and would give anything in the world to see 

 yours in particular ; and when you invite them, good, easy man 

 full sure, and they come to see, they won't even look at your 



