WE agree entirely with the general sentiments expressed by our correspondent, viz., that brilliant objects like flowers should be displayed under the full influence of bright light, received not only from above, but from the sides; paintings, on the contrary, are seen to the greatest advantage where the light proceeds chiefly from above, as any one may observe by looking at the pictures in a room where the windows are down to the ground. As our correspondent is evidently a man of cultivated taste, we should wish to hear further from him on subjects of this kind.- Cond.

ART. IV. Hints to Gardeners, incentive to their educating themselves in a Knowledge of English Grammar, and of other Subjects of essentially useful Knowledge. By Mr. WILLIAM TAYLOR.

Sir,

THE following remarks are neither for the information, edification, nor exhortation of any of the writers in this Magazine; but of those of its readers only (and it is to be hoped they are not very numerous) who use such phrases as, “I seed them plants, and axt their names." Some twenty years ago a class of gardeners, of different orders as to intellect, set out in quest of their business, but with a very limited stock of education, viz., a smattering of reading, writing, and arithmetic. They perhaps used all the means in their power to gain an empirical knowledge of the business, but neglected to improve themselves in education. Hence we not unfrequently hear the above and similar ludicrously incorrect language used by naturally clever men in respectable situations: yes, by men who have read more of the fashionable novels of the day, and the like fascinating books, than they have of books on horticulture and the sciences connected therewith. They will approve, or rather condemn, sciences, creeds, and systems," and all them sort of things," gratis; while, at the same time, you can easily discover, for it cannot be hidden, that they have not so much as read an English grammar.

The mistaken notions that "English grammar is not worth a dog's dance without Latin," that it cannot be acquired without a teacher, and that chance speaking and writing are quite sufficient, have prevented many a young man from selfacquiring a knowledge of it. My advice to them is simply this, give over reading of novels, and if you have been foolish enough (I speak from a little experience) to purchase any books that will not bear a second reading, sell

them, and buy Lennie's Grammar and Key and Walker's Pronouncing Dictionary, and give a part of your after-hours to the studying of them; say an hour at night, less or more, according to circumstances; and, if you have any taste or inclination to improve, they will be found much more beneficial, and afford more real satisfaction, than any time-passing amusement whatever. A grown-up person, not past the meridian of life, of no great grasp of mind, with a common share of common sense, and the Key for a teacher, may attain a tolerable knowledge of the language in less time than it takes to grow a pine-apple. However, he must not expect to be able to communicate his ideas in such "laconic eloquence," and with so much perspicuity and freedom from ambiguity, as those with A. M., &c., attached to their names, who have, as it were, served a time to learning languages.

But to return: you will begin at the beginning of the Grammar, and commit to memory all the larger print; read the notes carefully, and when you are at a loss turn to the respective place of the Key. You will find no difficulty until you come to the verbs, which are the driest part of the concern, and, like vulgar fractions, easily learned and soon forgotten: nevertheless, they ought to be learned and understood, otherwise you will find them plaguy things when you get to syntax, because they must agree with their neighbours, &c. I think myself better at pruning, grafting, or measuring a tree than at conjugating verbs, because I learned, or rather began to learn, the former seven years before the latter. As pronunciation is a part of grammar, it should be studied along with it. Walker's Pronouncing Dictionary, if not the best, is one of the best; and although its "principles too long to be got by heart, they should be often perused, the doing of which will enable you to remember some of the shorter rules, as, "k is always silent in the same syllable before n," &c. The key, or sounds of the vowels, which are along the top of each page, should be committed to memory, not forgetting to pay particular attention to the rules for accentuation, and to those to be observed by the people who take for their emblem the thistle, the shamrock, and even the

rose.

are

Trifling as this subject may appear to some, the greatest of men have learned it, and are guided by its rules; and without it we cannot distinguish good from bad phrases, nor proper from improper pronunciation. Whatever we profess to know, and however well bred we may wish to be, if we cannot express ourselves in any better terms than an illiterate labourer or stable-boy, we are liable to be misunderstood,

and are always disagreeable to our superiors in education and rank of life. And, above all, let us endeavour to keep pace with the improvements and fashions of the day in all things connected with our calling, else we are sure to be left behind, and of course laid aside like an old tailor out of fashion. Then there are botany, mensuration, book-keeping, chemistry, geography, drawing, history, and all useful, yea, more, indispensable; for we must "weigh opinions," and give reasons for all we do, nowadays. Not that we are obliged to reply to every one's "Why?" which is now the order of the day but that is no good reason why we should not be capable of answering those who have a right to ask. Time was when it was thought no person had a right to ask another any thing of his business, because it was his property, he had paid for it: some think so still, and are possessed of some grand secrets that they would not reveal "for a world of potatoes." Well, they should read (but they are too knowing to do that) the Outlines of Horticulture and the Botanic Annual, which will convince them that others know something too. When I get time, I shall send you some hints on the utility of mensuration to gardeners; but I am afraid you will think the wind blows too keen from the I am, Sir, yours, &c.

north.

Thainston, Aberdeenshire, July, 1833.

W. TAYLOR.

ART. V. On Fountains in Gardens; with a Design (fig. 120.). By W. MASON, Jun. Esq.

Sir,

I AM truly happy to see, in your Magazine (p. 208.), that the subject of those finishing ornaments of the gardenesque, fountains, are brought forward for discussion. I have often felt mortified, in my walks through our London squares, to think that opulent English peers and merchants should so often visit and admire foreign towns, and then return home without attempting to rival the beauties they have witnessed in them. What is the finish wanted in Grosvenor Square but a magnificent fountain, that, by the power of steam, should throw its lofty waters 60 ft. into the air; and, by the motion thus imparted to the atmosphere, the brilliant glistening of its jet, and the composing murmur of its continuous fall, increase the fragrance of the mignonette and other sweet-smelling plants, and, in various ways, add a most desirable enjoyment to that magnificent area. A fountain

rate, levied during the summer months upon the distinguished and rich individuals inhabiting this square, would scarcely be felt. The same observation will apply to other squares, the size or grandeur of the fountains varying, of course, with the purses of the surrounding occupants. The whole might be done by contract; and the smoky air of the city be somewhat relieved in the vicinity of each fountain. Had Mr. Nash been an architect equal to such ideas, we should have seen something of the kind during the last reign: but, though he has done much for West London, his knowledge of the sources of the sublime and beautiful seems to be contracted.

When I first visited Mr. Rowley, the ingenuity of his fountains could not fail to please, as much as their diminutiveness provoked a smile; some of them giving one more the idea of a magnificent squirt than of a fountain. I ventured to recommend his crossing the Channel, to see the grandes eaux at Versailles on a fête day; and thought that he would then, peradventure, incite his employers to better things; and that a demand for simple and grand fountains might be the consequence.

I may appear fastidious; but I cannot like the air of a fountain encompassed by a plain walled reservoir, as in the sketches of the fountains, figs. 68. and 69. (p. 215, 216.) Your friend the Young Architect will, I am sure, on considering the point maturely, yield to my flat stone coped reservoir of the design sent herewith (fig. 120.); which coping, in fountains of a rich and sculptured character, might, by diversity of form, be made to harmonise.

I intend, in my next communication, if this meets with approval, to undertake a methodised arrangement of these garden ornaments. I am, Sir, yours, &c.

Nacton, Norfolk, June, 1833.

WILLIAM MASON, Jun.

We

SUCH a methodised arrangement as that mentioned by our correspondent would be a valuable addition to garden literature; and we shall be extremely obliged to him for it. have lately seen some of the most splendid flower-gardens in England, to which fountains that had the water raised to a great height by steam or otherwise would be most appropriate ornaments. As an example near town, we may refer to Lady Amherst's flower-gardens, at Montreal, near Seven Oaks, in Kent, which garden we visited in the course of a seven weeks' tour, completed yesterday (Sept. 16.).— Cond.