, paling at
the base to a yellow-white. I have ordered a hundred standard tea-roses
for planting next month, half of which are Viscountess Folkestones,
because the tea-roses have such a way of hanging their little heads
that one has to kneel down to be able to see them well in the dwarf
forms--not but what I entirely approve of kneeling before such perfect
beauty, only it dirties one's clothes. So I am going to put standards
down each side of the walk under the south windows, and shall have the
flowers on a convenient level for worship. My only fear is, that they
will stand the winter less well than the dwarf sorts, being so difficult
to pack up snugly. The Persian Yellows and Bicolors have been, as I
predicted, a mistake among the tea-roses; they only flower twice in the
season and all the rest of the time look dull and moping; and then the
Persian Yellows have such an odd smell and so many insects inside them
eating them up. I have ordered Safrano tea-roses to put in their place,
as they all come out next month and are to be grouped in the grass; and
the semicircle being immediately under the windows, besides having the
best position in the place, must be reserved solely for my choicest
treasures. I have had a great many disappointments, but feel as though
I were really beginning to learn. Humility, and the most patient
perseverance, seem almost as necessary in gardening as rain and
sunshine, and every failure must be used as a stepping-stone to
something better.

I had a visitor last week who knows a great deal about gardening and
has had much practical experience. When I heard he was coming, I felt
I wanted to put my arms right round my garden and hide it from him; but
what was my surprise and delight when he said, after having gone all
over it, "Well, I think you have done wonders." Dear me, how pleased I
was! It was so entirely unexpected, and such a complete novelty after
the remarks I have been listening to all the summer. I could have hugged
that discerning and indulgent critic, able to look beyond the result to
the intention, and appreciating the difficulties of every kind that
had been in the way. After that I opened my heart to him, and listened
reverently to all he had to say, and treasured up his kind and
encouraging advice, and wished he could stay here a whole year and help
me through the seasons. But he went, as people one likes always do go,
and he was the only guest I have had whose departure made me