The Columbian fountain., 1845-12-02
THE FU SCHIA.

At the Boston horticultural Exhibition the
following anecdote was related by the Rev. w.
Choales, sesths. anthoriiy Of Mr. Shepherd. .ahc
accomplished oonservator of the Botanical Gar
dens at Liverpool, respecting the introduction of
that fowery shrub, the Fuschia, into the green
green houses of Europe: Rem
Old Mr.. Lee, a well known nurseryman and
florist, at Greenwich. near London, about fifiy
years ago, was one day showing his variegaied
treasures to person, who suddenly turned, and
said, swell, you have not in your whole CO
lection so pretty flower as one | saw to day in a
window at Wrapping" ....s .,s.
"Indeed, and what was this pheuix like %
"Why the plant was beautiful, and the INV.
ers hung down like tassels from the dropping
branches; their color was the deepest crimson.
n in the centro fold of rich purple.v q la
Particular inquiries were made as to the exact
whereabouts, and Mr.. Lee posted off to the place,
where he discovered the object of his pursuit and
pronounced it neac Plant. He saw and admired
Entering the humble dwelling. he said, MY
good woman, this is a nice plant Of yours-I
should like To buy it,"
"Ah, sir, couldn't sell it for no money; it
was brought TO nc from foreign parts by my hus-
hand, who has gone away again, and must keep
it for his sake' H.
"But must have j. y sm.Y.
" No, sir. | can't spare it."
Here" emptylng his pockets; "here is gold,
silver and copper" (his stock amounting 10 more
than eight guineas)
"Well, day, this is power of money"
Ills yours, and the plant is mine, my good
woman. Pll give you one Of the first y0ung
ones | rear. to keep for your husbands sake;
will indeed" n
The bargain was struck, a coach Called. in
which old Mr.. Lee and his apparently dearly
purchased flower were deposited On returning
home, his first work was TO strip off and destroy
every blossom and bud the plant was divided
into small cuttings. which were forced into bark
beds and hot beds, and again sub divided Eve
ry effort was employed to multiply the plant
Mr. Lee became the delightful possessor Of three
hundred fuschas, all giving promise Of fine bios
5 ms. The two which first expanded were
placed in his window. A lady came in.
"Why Mr.. Lee, my dear Mr. Lee, where
did You get this charming fower?'
'''Tis new thing, my lady--prettv, is it
not 2"
Pretty 'is lovely its price &"
"A guinea, your ladyship;" and one Of the
two plants that tvening stood in beauty on her
ladyship's table in her boudoir.
my dear Charlotte, where did you get that
elegant flower z" aaaDt.
"Oh, Ills a new thing; saw it at old Mr..
Lee's-pretty, is it not2"
Pretty 'tis beautiful; what did 1t cost ?"
Only guinea, and there was another left"
The visiter's horses trotted off to the suburb.
and third beauteous plant graced the spot from
whence the first had been taken The second
guinea was paid, and the fuschia adorned another
drawing room Of fashion. This scene was 70
peaed as new calls were made, by persons al.
tracted by the beauy Of the plant. Two plants.
graceful and bursting into flower, were constant.
y seen on the same spot y He gladdened ,ho
faithful sailors wife with tho promised fl,rwer,
and before the season caossd, nearly three hun.
dred giunsas jingled In his purss, tho produce of
the, single shrub from the window Of WANING
a. reward Of old Mr.. Lees taste, skin, and Dc.