12 *?. UFS OF L1NNJ2C8. 
were the greater perfection.’ But, 
though I thus commend gardens, Hen¬ 
ry;' observe, that I do not mean to un¬ 
dervalue the many curious and beauti¬ 
ful plants which spring up uncultured 
in our fields and woods. Neither do I 
like to hear you speak so slightingly of 
your sister’s favourite study. My pro¬ 
fessional avocations have left me little 
leisure for the pursuit of many branches 
of knowledge, which were, at one time 
of my life, very interesting to me. 
This has been the case with botany. 
You have been accustomed' to see your 
mamma and sister engaged in it with 
much more ardour than any other mem¬ 
bers of the family ; and therefore, I 
believe, you fancy that it is not $. sub¬ 
ject suited to what you consider the 
stronger powers of your sex. Tell me, 
is not this your idea ?” 
g “Yes, papa, that is exactly what 
I have thought about it; because, 
