32 
SIR PETER EADE ON “ MY CITY GARDEN.” 
IY. 
MY CITY GARDEN IN A “CITY OF GARDENS.” 
By Sir Peter Fade, M.D. 
Read 30th January , 1900. 
Norwich has long been known by the designation of a “City of 
Gardens.” How long I know not, but we do know that Evelyn, 
on his visit to Norwich in 1671, spoke of the “flower gardens, in 
which all the inhabitants excel.” He also wrote in his diary that 
at this visit he went to see Sir Thomas Browne, whose “ whole 
house and garden was a paradise and cabinet of rarities.” This 
garden, I believe, at that time extended from his house in the 
Market Place (where the late Savings Bank stood) to at least as far 
as the present Orford Hill, but no portion of it now remains. 
It is much to be regretted that so many of the old Norwich 
gardens have fallen a prey to the requirements or encroachments of 
the builder ; and that where ample space and air for flowers and 
shrubs, and even trees, formerly existed, there is now nothing but 
manufactories or houses with small back premises, or at the most, 
little gardens so surrounded - by walls as to be little more than 
wells, with stagnant air and frequent showers of chimney blacks. 
Still, in spite of the rapid increase of the city and the gradual 
absorption of building spaces, we are glad to know that — even in 
the central parts of the city — some of the old gardens do yet remain, 
and that they are still able to produce much floral beauty, and in 
many other ways to contribute to the interest and pleasure of those 
who are fortunate enough to possess them. 
Of course, my present reference is only to gardens situated in 
the older parts of Norwich. Those who live in our suburbs will 
doubtless be able to cultivate and utilise their present gardens as 
the citizens of Norwich did theirs in the “good old times.” 
