THE FEES PARADISE. 
placed amidst the bustle and grind and worry of 
modern city life ; nor does it need the fostering 
care, in despite of which too often our floral 
beauties will pine and die; but in the garret or 
cellar, as in the stately mansion, will flourish and 
look green, refreshing the wearied spirit and 
resting the tired brain, suggesting many a 
thought of woods, green fields, and sweet wild 
flowers, to those whose destiny is rarely, perhaps 
never, to taste the delights of a health-giving 
country ramble .’ 1 The same writer, in noticing 
that one object of the Author of this 6 Plea ’ for 
Fern-culture is c to brighten the homes of the 
poor by teaching them that a new source of 
pleasure is within their easy reach,’ remarks 
that, — though the suggestions of the volume 
must probably come to the poor at second-hand, 
through those who take an interest in them, — 
‘ with a little teaching, and by the force of 
example, Fern -culture might be a source of 
pleasure.’ But he argues that, ‘ when need 
presses heavily, and the struggle for daily bread 
1 The Spectator. 
40 
