INTRODUCTORY. 
however small, a rustic raised bed against the 
window, planted with ivy or hardy Ferns, and 
filled up with something gay, will make even a 
mean suburban villa look charming.* The writer 
in The Spectator concedes that, though in all cases 
he would prefer the mingling of flowers with 
Ferns, the Author of fi The Fern Paradise ’ will 
4 probably make a great many converts to his way 
of thinking.’ The Author trusts and believes 
that he has been enabled to inoculate some of his 
readers with his own love of Ferns, and he will 
have reason to hope for still more converts to his 
way of thinking if future readers will adopt the 
pleasant suggestion with which the writer in The 
Spectator closes his pleasant review, namely, to 
take up this volume as 4 one to be lazily studied ’ 
in one of its Author’s 4 favourite nooks, leaning 
against a granite boulder, almost hidden by Ferns 
and mosses, with graceful, drooping trees above 
you, and a companion of kindred tastes with 
whom to share your enjoyment;’ 
The eloquent tribute of a Quarterly Reviewer 
to the gracefulness and beauty of Ferns will find 
an appropriate place here, especially as the same 
45 
