‘SEPTEMBER. 261 
yellow or rather straw-coloured one with orange blotch, masses of which 
would mate with’ any exotic. The grass’ from which those simple 
Shapes are cut is green as any in the world—so vivid, indeed, and 86 
smooth that I thought the new sort of “moss” had been grown; but no, 
it is a model of perfect turf, kept ‘in’ this ‘fine’ order by the zeal ofa 
shopkeeper. In the centre of each ring there are Magnolias, and on 
the ridges Indian Shot, Canna indivisa, and the other plants Hydrangea 
and congeners, Pzeonies Moutans and’ the rose-coloured, Salvias, and 
Petunias. The whole looks ‘as if just refreshed by a shower, and I 
Suppose that in reality to keep this verdure many sprinklings are daily 
administered. , 
_. There is a wedding kept ‘here’ to-day, ‘a very grand one—thirty 
cairiages and twelve bridesmaids; the flowers called’ M arguerette are 
in much request ; single they are so like our large white field Daisy; 
or Moon-flowers as children call’ them, that one is surprised ‘at. their 
novel and charming effect, when surrounded by’ Violets ;' the plant in 
pots is on the landings, and forms a very handsome bush; it ‘réally is 
a Chrysanthemum, the very simplest of all, and seems capable of 
producing flowers, under management, at’ ‘all’ seasons. Zhe table 
dresser, a person kept for that ‘sole purpose, “told “me that’ “he 
found it quite impossible to dispense’ with artificials’; he only used 
natural foliage, but. ‘a few full blown white ‘and’ red Roses “always 
brightened up his designs. ‘The fruit that forms the dessert, and is 
placed with “flowers on the’ table from ‘the beginning ‘receives ‘ great 
consideration ; it is served on silver dishes, and ‘most tastefully mar- 
gined. 
~ A few days after the present ruler’ of France made ‘his triumphal 
entry into, Paris, on his return from the provinces, we saw the Emperor 
—President at that time—very early in the morning walking in the 
gardens of the Tuileries, and leaning on the arm of his aide-de-camp. 
He was pointing ‘with the scabbard of his sword to one of the marble 
statues in the gardens, which workmen had been for some weeks past 
clearing of stains, and removing the cryptogamic’ plants which had 
disfigured them more or: less. Curiosity led myself and friend to 
examine the statue, which had engaged the President’s ‘attention so 
earnestly, and I observed that the Lichens and Mosses which had 
become established between the feet and straps of the sandals of the 
figure had not been entirely cleared away. In’ the course of the day 
we saw workmen with delicate tools remove the parasitical plants and 
leave the beautiful ‘statue in its ‘pristine state.’ This keen eye for 
detail and prompt attention to order in all matters which come beneath 
his notice is quite characteristic of the Emperor, and added to the 
refined taste which he possesses has! led’ to the rapid and wonderful 
improvements which have marked ‘the’ French metropolis’ since his 
Majesty’s accession to the throne, and in which garden embellishments 
have shared so largely, that Paris has’ now no equal in these respects. 
Louis Napoleon had his education at Kew during his exile im England, 
and was thus made familiar with the workings of that most regal of 
royal gardens. If you offered a premium for weeds or withered leaves 
from ‘the Palace gardens they could not be found. Every morning 
ails GOL TISay WOULD Jhid PLOT LLY 58: f ; 4 Of 
