EARLIER OPENING OF KEW GARDENS. 187 
I think I am justified in assuming that this kind reply of 
the genial First Commissioner of Works is of favourable augury 
— for I am confident that, if some concession can be made, Mr. 
Shaw-Lefevre is the man to make it. I have always received 
so much personal courtesy and kindness from the permanent 
officials of Kew Gardens that I should be extremely reluctant 
to take any action that might seem to traverse their discretion. 
They must of course be consulted ; but I do not for one moment 
imagine that they will raise any objection to what would be an 
extremely popular proceeding. I remember that l\Ir. Dyer, 
immediately on his appointment as Director, had the good sense 
to abolish the old non-smoking regulation, and he may be 
trusted to raise no unreasonable opposition to an earlier opening 
of the beautiful domain he manages. Perhaps it is only a 
question of expense, and, if so, it is fortunate for our object that 
the present Chancellor of the Exchequer is also an old friend of 
open spaces, on which topic I have in the past heard him dis- 
course very eloquently. As Sir William Harcourt, when he is 
“at home,” lives down in the New Forest, he is sure to sym- 
pathise with the desire of Londoners to see a little more of Kew 
Gardens. 
It has, unquestionably, been for a long time considered a 
grievance on the part of the public that they should be daily 
excluded from these great national grounds up to 12 o’clock on 
week days and up to i o’clock on Sundays. I do not, of course, 
forget that Kew Gardens are not in the ordinary sense a public 
park. They constitute a great scientific institution, and there 
should be daily a certain “ close time,” to permit of the quiet 
and undisturbed performance of necessary work ; but to most 
people it does seem unreasonable that as much as a half of 
each day should be required for undisturbed operations, and 
even if in a part of the grounds such a restriction is required, 
the “closure” need not apply to the whole. I am certain 
that the late opening of the Gardens has caused bitter dis- 
appointment to many thousands of persons — especially to 
visitors from the country — who have come out in the forenoon to 
Kew or Richmond for the express purpose of seeing this lion of 
the neighbourhood, and, their time being limited, have had to 
return disappointed. An earlier opening will vastl}^ increase 
the public appreciation of this delightful place, and will far 
more than repay for the expense — whatever it may be — 
incurred. Let me add, in conclusion, that as it will be im- 
portant to organise a large and representative deputation for 
November next, I shall be glad to learn as soon as possible the 
names of those who may wish to attend. 
Francis George Heath. 
The renewal of the agitation for the earlier opening of Kew 
Gardens will, it is to be hoped, be persevered in until this most 
reasonable concession is secured. Fourteen years ago there 
seemed every reason to think that the boon would be conceded. 
