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THE FERN PARADISE. 
granted ; and that it represents to the vulgar eye — 
more completely, indeed, than any other member 
of the graceful family to which it belongs — the 
idea of “ a fern ” we equally concede. But we 
indignantly repudiate the attempt to fasten the 
stigma of vulgarity upon the wild Brake. The 
reproach recoils upon those who invented it ; 
and the beautiful plant will have its reward in 
the keen appreciation of the true fern-lover. 
We have said that the Brake is to be found 
almost everywhere. The general fact is a suffi- 
cient indication of its hardiness. But under such 
conditions alone as ferns love is it to be found 
growing in full splendour, and endowed with all 
its natural grace and beauty. Alike on the wild 
open common, in the dark shade of the woodland, 
by the glancing waters of our streams, perched 
on the hedge-tops, swathed in the deep foliage of 
the hedge-bank, covering the hill-sides, on the bleak 
hill-top, grow the Brakes ; now tall and vigorous, 
now dwarfed and feeble : but whether of giant or 
pigmy growth, ever graceful. Where yonder wood 
has year by year, for many a long year past, shed 
