Gardens of Light and Shade. Bf " G. S. C." (Elliot
Stock.)—The tempting title and appearance of this book, which indulges in affecta- tions of type and elaborate photographic illustration, led us to think that we might have got hold of something valuable on an ever- attractive subject. When the preface told us that the writer pro- posed to give hints as to making the best of small gardens, and spoke of "gardens in the sixth year of their existence, the ground they occupy having been previously bare meadow," the present com- mentator, whose own garden that exactly describes, felt all the more attracted. Unfortunately, as far as we can discover, the book tells us absolutely nothing of any practical service at all. The most ordinary of capable gardeners, at four shillings a day, could give any garden. holder as much advice if he wanted it, which we cannot conceive that he could. To be told to "bear in mind " that" a rockery is not intended to supply beauty in itself, but to afford means for the display of beauty in leaf and flower ;" that "the selection of trees and plants should be governed by considerations of its [the garden's] form and area ;" that " climbing-plants should be freely introduced into a garden of taste ;" that "nasturtiums can be easily cultivated ;" that poppies are "particularly brilliant while they last," &c.,—is too foolish to anybody who owns a garden, and to most, we should think, who do not. Tennis-lawns, nowadays more important than poppies, are not allowed for. But if tall-talk about nothing will reconcile any reader, he has it in this book. He will learn that trees and shrubs "redeem the landscape, and deck winter's brow with bays that pro- claim that poetry yet lives ;" and he will hear that in a garden it is possible to fall in with a "pair of thrushes and a blackbird seeking their vermiceous meal." And having pondered and wondered, he will, if he be wise, turn to his library-shelves, and if they are happy in the possession of "Thoughts in my Garden," he will commune in quiet relief and pleasure, sitting in his own little lizard-space the while, with the spirit of Mortimer Collins.
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