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BLACKWOOD'S

EDINBURGH MAGAZINE.

No. LXXIX.
AUGUST, 1823.
Vol. XIV.

HISTORY OF THE GARDEN OF PLANTS.[1]

We have lately received a very delightful book, from a very delightful friend, and, being anxious that the world should become as happy, and as well informed, as ourselves, we lose no time in requesting the numerous individuals of which it is composed, men, women, and dandies, the "intermediate link," to order each and all of them, his, her, and its copy. Everybody knows something now-a-days of the Garden of Plants, or at least ought so to do; for it has been ascertained, that even "Tims" has bearded the Douglas in his den; that is, has stood within a few paces of the Menagerie without any fear of being driven to atoms by the tuft of the lion's tail. But in an establishment of such great extent, and unrivalled excellence, it may well be imagined, that many things worthy of notice escape the observation, and many more the comprehension, of travellers; and hence the value of a clear and satisfactory history of the rise, progress, and completion of the King's Garden, and of the splendid collections in every branch of natural history which it now contains. Such a work is, in fact, from the nature of things, an exposition of the state of the most important physical sciences during the successive and connected periods of which it treats, and thus, at the same time that it enlightens us regarding the practical management and present state of a most regal institution, it explains and illustrates the progress of human intellect in many of the most delightful branches of knowledge.

The person who writes this work in English is M. Royer, a French gentleman, who holds a situation in the office of administration of the Museum. He is well known for the wonderful skill which he has attained in speaking and writing our language, without having resided in Britain, and for his great civility and kindness to those foreigners who visit the Museum and its environs, for the purposes of amusement or information; and he is universally esteemed for the intelligence and integrity of his character. He has resided constantly in

  1. ↑ History and Description of the Museum of Natural History and Royal Botanic Garden of Paris. Translated from the French of M. Deleuze, assistant Botanist. By A. A. Royer. 2 vols. 8vo. with 17 plates. Price 21s. Sold by G. B. Sowerby, 33, King Street, Covent Garden, London.
    This work has been composed, by authority of the French government, from materials furnished by the Professors and Administrators of the Museum.
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