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Ing compartment Is devoted to beautiful Stove 
plants, and next to that another where the mul¬ 
titudinous representatives of the Begonia family 
are displayed. The next house contains South 
Africans In the way of Mesembryanthem ums, 
beautiful Cape Heaths, Pelargoniums, etc. 
Then there are ranges of ferneries where every 
tropical ami subtropical representative of the 
genus obtainable Is grown, and that creditably i 
too; and the collection Is immense. Besides 1 
these 1 r No.4, or the greenhouse, which Is kept as 
a show-house, and In as gaudy dress as I ever 
saw greenhouse anywhere; In fact, I never saw 
a conservatory where so many genera and 
species of roally beautifully flowering plants 
were In bloom at one time; and here florists’ and 
horticultural varieties are as rife as species. 
Then there is the Cactus house where benches 
and beds are heaped with the oddities, with their 
woolly pates, formidable spines, and brilliant 
blossoms. Candelabrum Euphorbias, massive 
Agaves and hosts of other monster and tiny suc¬ 
culents are here congregated, as well as tall- 
stoinmed grass trees from Australia, on the 
whole, l don’t know of a collection In the world 
approaching this one in completeness, notwith¬ 
standing often published assertions to the con¬ 
trary. 
Near the main entrance gate Is a large dead- 
ltke glasshouse—an old orangery I believe, 
which Is now chiefly devoted to Araeeous plants. 
Here Anthurlums, Marantas and Philodendrons 
or undreamt of forms exist, and the Mexican 
Monstera dellcloaa climbs up a back wall for 
twenty feet to ripen Its coue-like fruits, which 
when ripe are truly delicious, in this house tree 
ferns display their far-roachlng fronds, and that 
handsome shrub-tree, Browuoa cocclnoa, unfolds 
Its colored young loaves and its showy blossoms. 
But one of the most wonderful plants In the 
house Is the tana or Lattice plant, a pretty little 
aequutle from Madagascar. Its leaves are from 
0 to 10 Inches or so lu length, 1 to 3 Inches broad, 
and Just like skeletons, being as systematically 
netted as a honeycomb is celled. 
Besides these greenhouses there Is quite a 
villages of glasshouses for propagation purposes 
and growing plants for conservatory and outdoor 
embellishment, but they are private. There are 
also glasshouses and nursery grounds connected 
with the Arboretum. 
In addition to those features there are three 
separata museums—big buildings, situated In the 
gardens, and whlcU contain vegetable products 
crude and manufactured of every conceivable 
kind, also specimens or woods, models of flowers, 
fruits, and hosts of other tilings. 
Apart Iroru all these and outside the garden 
proper are the herbaria and libraries and a staff 
of eminent botanists of whom the nineteenth 
century has cause to be proud. 
The object of those gardens is to combine 
science vrtth leotoation and to collect and dis¬ 
seminate t he plants or all quarters of the globe. 
Kew gardens am one of the sights or London, 
but even an uninitiated person can no more see 
them all through them In an afternoon, than he 
could our lato Centennial Exhibition In a day. 
The liberality with which plants and seeds are 
distributed aud exchanged at home and abroad, 
and the facilities for examining the living and 
dried specimens, together with the courtesy and 
attention shown by the ofllclals at Hew to 
Englishmen and foreigners alike, are worthy of 
such noble gardens, which are not only of national 
but or International Importance. 
Botanic Gardens, Cambrldgo, Mass. 
-♦»» 
THE BRONCHO PONIES, 
Quits the most remarkable trained horses are 
now performing In this city, at the Aquarium. 
Trained hardly conveys a correct, appreciation of 
the developed intelligence of these animals. From 
a wild state, theso Mexican ponies have been 
taught to perform most Intricate evolutions by 
mere word of command ; to carry handkerchiefs 
to boxes, put them in, shut down tho Ud, and 
then to reverse the operation ; to “ see-saw,’’ a 
horse being at either ond or a long plank, the 
performance showing a perfect discernment of 
equilibrium. To roll a cylinder up an Inclined 
plane, and down the opposite Bide, pushing and 
holding back with the fore feet, Is a tremendous 
strain on an animal, aud has never before been 
accomplished by a horse. This in conjunction 
with the remarkable Jumping feats of tho horse 
Nettle, Ib alone 
wortU the going far 
to see. Am amusing 
Incident of the per¬ 
formance Is the ex¬ 
act. Imitation of cir¬ 
cus performers by a 
dog and two goats. 
They ride fearlessly; 
Jump over hurdles, 
through hqpps, aud 
In short, so closely 
and excellently imi¬ 
tate those biped ri¬ 
vals, that It la quite 
enough to put a 
“ star ” out of con¬ 
ceit with his his pro¬ 
fession. The cour¬ 
tesy of the attend¬ 
ants at the Aquari¬ 
um makes It a char¬ 
ming place of amuse¬ 
ment for ladles and 
children unescorted. 
In fact nothing mars 
tho merriest of the 
performances. 
[CONDUCTED BY MISS FAITH RIPLEY. 
HER LETTER. y 
_ « 
The following lines were suggested by a letter *' 
found by the writer upon the beach near the scene of 1 
the wreck of the Hnron: 1 
Wo walked at night tho wreck-strewn sand, 
We walked and watched the dying storm; 
With eager aye and ready hand l 
Wo sought to find some sea-tossed form. • 
And as we walked the guard and t. 
The tide crept out till broad and gray 
The shingled sand shone smooth and dry, 
Beneath our fitful lauterti’s ray. 
On either side, and everywhere, ( 
Lay limb and broken bits of wreck, 
Of clothing, ropes, of wooden-ware— 
All kinds of things one finds on deck. 
From out this scattered wreckage waste 
I stooped aud picked a little note, 
A dainty monogram was traced 
Above;the lines the owner wyote. 
** My darling " but it gave no name, 
As if he only of mankind 
To such sweet title bad a claim: 
The words were coined her love to bind. 
’Twaa written full, and crossed again, 
All Interlined with after thought; 
’Twaa spotted o’er with salter stain 
Than e’en the sea could yet have wrought. 
“ My darling ”; there a fold was pressed, 
The words Just here were fainter yet, 
As though ’twere worn upon his breast, 
A prized and sacred amulet. 
Anon, she wrote her hope* and fears. 
Of fickle fortune’s smile or frown, 
Of homelike Joys In coming years. 
When they were wed and “ settled down.” 
She spoke of spring and £ost.er flowers, 
Of silk and satin for her bonnet, 
Of sick friends, funerals, marriage dowers. 
Her new suit and the trimmings on it. 
And so this unknown maiden wrote 
Her loving letter to the end. 
And little dreamed the waves would float 
Her writing to a stranger’s hand. 
Somewhere, to-night, a girlish face 
fa raised to God in mute despair; 
Somewhere, a woman prays for grace 
And strength of soul her load to bear. 
Somewhere along the wintry coast 
Her hopes lie buried in the sand, 
While this tsllB of the love that’s lost— 
This sea-stained letter in my hand. 
UV. T. Graphic. 
-- -» ♦ ♦- 
TALKS ON TIMELY TOFICS, 
Decorative Pottery. 
BOSK GERANIUM. 
If you admire the ugly work—and certainly 
you must so long as it Is fashionable—I will tell 
you how to increase your stock at comparatively 
little expense. Of course I now refer to the 
popular Japanese style of adornment. 
Procure a quantity of tho little embossed 
chroma pictures which you see advertised lu all 
the newspapers at from ton to fifty cents per 
hundred. 
Select a smooth, angular-looking |ar or rtower- 
pot^-tho clumsiest of your lot. IT It la clay-red, 
leave It so, and around the bottom and top cither 
paint broad, dull blue bands or simulate them 
with strips of paper neatly pasted on. 
From your collection of pictures choose a set as 
1 unharmonlous and Ill-adapted as possible—snakes 
saints, butterflies, zebras, tulips and so on, 
art infinitum. Btlck them fast lu a blown-about. 
fashion. Only one rule, here, must guide you 
i aud that Is uo rule at all. 
If you do not care to purchase the chromos, 
sharpen your scissors and go on an expedition 
through a heap of old newspapers. You will bo 
sure to llud more than you uan appropriate. 
Cut very carefully and by no means deprive your 
Madonna or her nose or your cow of her cherished 
horn. Bring with you a tew redeeming sprays, 
loaves and buds. Now stalu or palut them all 
black and you have your own domestic brand of 
material. 
When the vase Is complete, remember that 
there are cases when “ distance lends enchant¬ 
ment to the view ” and this may not be an ex¬ 
ceptional one. Locate it at a respectful reach 
from tho self-elected examining committee, dose 
your consciences with a mild extract of valerian 
aud you can walk off and invest your ten or 
twelve dollars at the book-store ! Your pottery 
will last until you grow tired of It and that Is 
long enough l 
Confidentially, 1 will whisper that spatter- 
work will help you to make your jar Infinitely 
prettier. There Is something really beautiful 
about, a daintily spattered, red flower vase. It 
would scarcely be necessary to pen any di¬ 
rections, since, thanks to the blessed, home-mis¬ 
sion ary work of the newspapers, the act Is no 
longer a secret to any who will care to practice it. 
Howover, It may not be known to all how 
effectually and speedily the work may be accom¬ 
plished by the use of an ** atomizer.” One can be 
obtained at any well-furnished drug-store. After 
It has once been used, the agent for “A full set 
of Spattering Tools ” will be driven to new terri¬ 
tory. 
Arter you have experimented with fern and 
grass patterns, I will beg that you test the 
beauty of Ivy leaves and berries. They are 
among my favorites. 
A smooth, clear, glass vase or goblet Is some¬ 
what out, of the beaten path for spatterers. 
After It is done, either line with white or fill It. 
with flour. Behold the result of your labors! 
Apropos, I remember tho litttle japanned tin 
boxes, trays and canisters, so long condemned to 
secluded service In pantries, closete aud kitchen 
cupboards. Here are treasures in earnest! Go, 
bring them forth, brush away all traces of dust 
and elevate them to their proper sphere. Pep¬ 
per them over with star-spangled chromos or with 
wreaths and sprays of varnished autumn leaves. 
After this Is done, you will have nothing left to 
desire and, like a certain monarch, you will be 
free to sit down and weep because you have no 
more Jopaneserp to conquer! 
-- 
DESCRIPTION OF CUTS. 
take double cashmere 4 inches wide at the top 
and 15 Inches deep gradually sloped to one end. 
Sew these to the front and back, and sew up the 
bottom of the pocket. A fringe for the bottom 
No. 3. 
should be made of maroon and blue silk. The 
pocket Is ornamented with bows of maroon and 
pale blue ribbon. 
-»♦» ■■ ■ - 
ITEMS FOR CORRESPONDENTS. 
Waterproofs.— The old-fashioned circular style 
Is still worn, but many ladles prefer tbe Ulster, It 
being more shapely. We have pattern (Gl51) of 
Ulster with triple cape. Four yards of goods forty- 
eight Inches wide will he required. Trimmings— 
Ribbon, velvet la not used for trimming. Fringes 
made of silk, chenille, and worsted and shlrrlngs 
and folds of silk or satin and lace are fashionable 
trimmings. 
If the lady who asks what style of polonaise is 
suitable for a gingham, will send me her address 
I will mall her Illustrations of several different 
styles. 
How to Wash Tassels to Ncbia 3.—If any of 
your readers have tassels which have been soiled 
they can be washed so as to look as well as new, 
by braiding each tassel carefully lu two or three 
braids, wblcb prevents them from becoming tan¬ 
gled, and after drying they can be combed out; 
when they will look as well as If they had never 
been worn. Miss M. J. B. 
Mrs. M. G. B.—Black silk Isacques will be worn 
during the coming season trimmed with lace or 
fringe. It Is a little early to determlue the most 
popular shape. For spring, English walking Jack¬ 
ets and cutaways made In light cloths will be 
worn, but these jaunty shapes are hardly suitable 
for rich silk. 
NOS. 1 AND 2—WORK-BASKET, WITH KMRROIDERED 
DRAPE. 
The basket Is of faucy wicker. It is lined with 
crimson satlu or merino, and ornamented with a 
fine black cloth drape, embroidered In chain and 
satin stitches with crimson and gold-colored purse 
silk. A portion of the drape is shown In full-size 
In No. 2; it la scalloped and pinked at the edges. 
Two silk cords, one ef crimson and the other gold- 
color, are neatly sewn round the top ; the handle 
Is ornamented with a crimson cord and tassels. 
NO. 3—WATCH-STAND. 
The stand la made of a small chair, which may 
be purchased at almost any toy-shop. It lsor- 
mimeutod with a strips of embroidery, worked 
on black cashmere with gold thread and blue silk, 
which extends over the seat and back. The seat 
Is finished by a fringe of bluejsllk, with a head¬ 
ing of gold, using a mesh measuring a quarter in¬ 
stead of a half an inch in width. /V brass hook Is 
sewn to the top of tho back, from which to hang 
the watch. 
NO. 4.—WALli-POCKKT. 
For the foundation take two pieces of stiff card¬ 
board, measuring 14 inches long and 10 inches 
wide, and cover them with maroon cashmero, 
that used to cover the front being embroidered 
with maroon and palo blue silk. For the sides 
NUMBER 
NO. 4. 
India Shawls.— Real India camels’ hair 
shawls, $45 to $85. India Deca shawls $10 and 
upward. Striped India in. new designs and colors 
$ 12 . 
Lillie Whiting.— The “Cricket" clock will 
make a suitable gift for your friend. It Is Infin¬ 
itely preferable to the slippers you propose to 
work. The untunlnlty with which young ladles in¬ 
flict slippers on their 
friends of the male 
persuasion has pass¬ 
ed into a by-word, 
and Is the occasion 
for no end of fun at 
their expense. Bet¬ 
ter send In the two 
names you have se¬ 
cured and order the 
“ Cricket.” 
Tottery and Lac¬ 
quer Ware — For 
superior work In de¬ 
corating pottery, the 
Albert ware la the 
only ware I can re 
commend, hut for 
decaleomaula orna¬ 
mentation, common 
pottery makes a very 
acceptable back¬ 
ground-la those de¬ 
siring It I will send 
by mall tue address 
of reliable N.Y. firms 
who sell earthen¬ 
ware at low rates. 
