INTRODUCTORY. 
homes and in illustration of the interest which 
the subject of this notice possesses for the class to 
which it especially refers, the following letter, 
received a few days after it appeared, may be 
quoted : — 
‘ Fairy Grotto , Oley Place , Stepney Green. 
TO THE AUTHOR OP ‘ THE FERN PARADISE.’ 
Sir, — I am tempted to trouble you, after read- 
ing an interesting review of your e Fern Paradise ’ 
in Lloyd's. As far back as my memory serves me, 
I was ever fond of making the most of parti- 
cularly common things. When a boy I used to take 
a delight in cultivating a few wild flowers and 
different grasses. My fancy has gone on from 
then till now ; for in the smallest and most insig- 
ficant public garden (perhaps) in the whole world 
I still indulge my taste by cultivating a few 
bits of green — such as sorrel, chick weed, clover, 
grasses, and other wild things that I do not know 
the names of. What life there is in my little bit of 
green in my little grotto garden I should feel a great 
pleasure in showing to you, 'privately , by gaslight. 
I am, sir, yours respectfully, 
II. Devey.’ 
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