We
have turned the whole of our gardens into a _Paradisi in
sole Paradisus terrestris_, if you can construe that; but we
must have something to make a start. He's got no end of
bedding things over--that are doing nothing in the Kitchen
Garden and might just as well be in our Earthly Paradise.
And please tell him to keep us a tiny pinch of seed at the
bottom of every paper when he is sowing the annuals. A
little goes a long way, particularly of poppies. And you
might give him a hint to let us have a flower-pot or two now
and then (I'm sure he takes ours if he finds any of our dead
window-plants lying about), and that he needn't be so mighty
mean about the good earth in the potting-shed, or the labels
either, they're dirt cheap. Mind you write straight. If only
you let John know that the gardens don't entirely belong to
him, you'll see that what's spare from the big garden would
more than set us going; and it shall further encourage him
to accomplish the remainder, who in praying that your
Highnesse may enjoy the heavenly Paradise after the many
years fruition of this earthly,
"Submitteth to be, Your Maiestie's,
"In all humble devotion,
"JOHN PARKINSON,
"King's Apothecary and Herbarist.
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