JANUARY. 
27 
Years passed. There was some misunderstanding between the 
IMarquis and the Cambridge examiners on the subject of his being 
Senior Wrangler, and the Duke, after hearing his son’s statement, was 
pleased to pronounce that the Dons were “ offal.” Lord Evelyn went 
into the Guards, and I shall never forget him on his first return from 
London, after an absence of six months from the Castle. I was at tea 
in the Lodge when his mail-phaeton drove up, and was hardly out of 
the porch, when his hearty “ How are you, Oldacres?” drew my eyes 
to the handsomest, merriest, kindliest face that ever wore a moustache. 
And sitting by him was a brother officer, just the man you would 
have expected that my Lord would choose for his friend, looking as 
though he would go at anything from a rat to a Redan, and yet would 
do no wilful hurt, as though his heart, like Tom Bowling’s, was brave 
yet soft, and he was, in the full beauty of its meaning, a gentle man. 
I went back to my wife, who had Frank Chiswick's wife, a baby, on 
her knee, and I said to her, “ Susan, my Lord’s come, and has brought 
home a husband for Lady Alice.” “ I ’ll believe it,” she answered, 
“ when I see his wings ! for the Duke must have something more than 
mortal to suit his fancy in son-in-laws.” 
And now, gentlemen, let the old horse catch his wind, if you please, 
dip his nose in the refreshing waters of the trough, and then trot on to 
the end of his journey. 
S. R. H. 
CALENDAR FOR THE MONTH. 
Azaleas and Camellias .—If not already done, lose no time in getting 
the stock of Azaleas neatly trained, removing all or as many of the 
weak shoots which have not set for bloom as may not be required for 
filling up the plant. The stock intended for blooming next May should 
be kept as quiet as possible, giving air on every favourable opportunity, 
and using fire-heat only to prevent the temperature sinking below 38°; 
and if actual frost is excluded, plants which have matured their growth 
will take no harm. If flowers are in demand, plants which are well 
set, and have been some time at rest, may be placed in a warm house 
or pit, where they will soon expand their blooms. Amoena, Bealii, 
and Narcissiflora are excellent varieties for forcing, but any of the strong 
growing kinds will answer very well, if they have been properly pre¬ 
pared. Moisten the plants in heat overhead morning and evening with 
the syringe, and carefully supply them with water at the root. Attend 
carefully to the watering of Camellias, as any excess either way is 
injurious ; and see that the foliage is bright and clean. Plants in 
bloom, and those about opening their flowers, should be afforded a 
temperature of from 45° to 50°, guarding against drip or condensed 
moisture settling on the blooms, which would speedily ruin them ; but 
when fire-heat has to be used care will be necessary, to prevent the 
atmosphere becoming too dry, and it may be advisable to sprinkle the 
