The Royal Gardens, Kew, in all Seasons of the Year.
(Daw- barn and Ward.)—A. quotation from the late Richard Jefferies describing Kew Gardens as "a great green book, whose broad pages are illuminated with flowers, lying open at the feet of Londoners," makes an appropriate introduction to Mrs. Goldney's little green book of verses and photographs illustrating the special points and attractions of the Gardens in the various seasons of the year. The volume is very daintily got up ; and the photo- graphs, which are by Mr. Walter John Mills, are really beautiful. The scenes for illustration have been chosen with great tact, and those who know the Gardens best will best appreciate the delicacy with which he has reproduced some of the most delightful effects of light and shadow among the old trees and the minute beauties of the spring flowers sprinkling the lawns in March and April and May. The bluebells in the beech grove, the daffodils on the temple hill, the crocuses on the mounds, are all features of Kew Gardens much prized by its constant visitors, and it is a pleasant surprise to find how much of their charm lives in these uncoloured illustrations. Perhaps it was because, in their case, colour was necessary to do justice to the subject that no picture is given of the "peacocks midst the daffodil," whose green and blue glories are celebrated in the verses for March. The nesting swan who figures in one of the April pictures deserves a testimonial for having posed so kindly. For, as many of us know, she is not always so amiable, and it is possible in some springs to take a good deal of trouble to get a sight of her sitting on her nest in the island, and yet not succeed. Among the views of trees, those de- serving most praise—and that means really very high praise—are the small picture of a group of tall beeches in March ; the five sur- vivors of the well-known row of elms called "The Seven Sisters" after the daughters of George III.; and a charming little study of Oaks in June. "Across the Lake" in August is delightful in its clear serenity ; and the picture of the rhododendron shrubbery in full blossom falls but little short of the loveliness of the reality. We recommend the little volume heartily to everybody who cares about Kew Gardens.
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