i86 
NATURE NOTES. 
We have evidently a good deal to learn before we know all! 
there is to be known about the manners and customs of our 
common sparrow, either at home or abroad ; just as we send 
this to press, we see that the old controversy has broken out 
afresh in the columns of the Standard ! 
THE EARLIER OPENING OF KEW GARDENS. 
s^^^lEADERS of Nature Notes and Selbornians generally 
will, I think, be pleased to learn that there now seems 
to be a prospect that a much-desired privilege will be 
granted. 
Directly I learnt that Mr. Shaw-Lefevre had been definitely 
appointed to the Office of Works I wrote him the following 
letter : — 
Underwood, Kew Gardens, 
Dear Mr. Shaw-Lefevre, August a^th, 1892. 
A consideration of your well-known desire to giv'e 
facilities for the public enjoyment of open spaces, of your admirable services to- 
the Commons Preservation Society and kindred institutions, and of your labours 
for the rescue of Epping Poorest and Burnham Beeches from the hands of the 
spoilers — labours which I have myself had the honour and pleasure of joining in — 
tempts me to take advantage of your appointment to the Cabinet post of First 
Commissioner of Her Majesty’s \Vorks and Public Buildings, by calling your 
attention to the great desirability of a somewhat earlier opening of the splendid 
Botanic Garden which, amongst many other important open spaces, now comes under 
your supreme control. I am fully aware of the important and weighty reasons, 
which can be urged against a too wide relaxation of the present rules as to the 
opening of Kew Gardens, and I do not desire to ask for any urgent consideration 
of the matter. But knowing how strong is the feeling on the part of the public 
on the subject, that at least some little compromise should be made in the 
direction of an earlier opening of these beautiful and well-managed grounds — a 
feeling not only shared by the people of Kew and Richmond, but by a much 
larger outside public — it has occurred to me that you would probably be willing 
to allow the subject to be discussed with you by a deputation. Possibly some 
time during the autumn, when it would be quite convenient to yourself, you 
would kindly permit such an interview as I venture to suggest. 
Believe me to be, dear Mr. Shaw-Lefevre, 
Yours most faithfully, 
Francis George Heath. 
I had just previously written to tell him that I was quite 
sure all the friends of open spaces would rejoice that he had been 
appointed to this particular department ; and when I addressed 
him as above, on the subject of Kew Gardens, I felt sure that 
with his unvarying courtesy, he would promptly respond. I 
was not disappointed, for by return of post I received the follow- 
ing reply : — 
Dear i\Ir. Heath, 
One line to thank you for your kind letter. I shall be 
very glad to see you here later in the autumn on the subject of the opening of 
Kew Gardens. In November next I shall be continuously at work here, and any 
day will then suit me. 
Yours very truly, 
G. Shaw-Lefevre. 
