There were great circular green leaves, lying flat on the water,
with a circumference equal to that of a centre-table. Tropical trees,
too, varieties of palm and others, grew in immense pots or tubs, but
seemed not to enjoy themselves much. The atmosphere must, after all, be
far too cool to bring out their native luxuriance; and this difficulty
can never be got over at a less expense than that of absolutely stewing
the visitors and attendants. Otherwise, it would be very practicable to
have all the vegetable world, at least, within these precincts.
The palace is very large, and our time was short, it being desirable to
get home early; so, after a stay of little more than two hours, we took
the rail back again, and reached Hanover Square at about six. After tea
I wandered forth, with some thought of going to the theatre, and, passing
the entrance of one, in the Strand, I went in, and found a farce in
progress. It was one of the minor theatres, very minor indeed; but the
pieces, so far as I saw them, were sufficiently laughable. There were
some Spanish dances, too, very graceful and pretty. Between the plays a
girl from the neighboring saloon came to the doors of the boxes, offering
lemonade and ginger-beer to the occupants. A person in my box took a
glass of lemonade, and shared it with a young lady by his side, both
sipping out of the same glass. The audience seemed rather heavy,--not
briskly responsive to the efforts of the performers, but good-natured,
and willing to be pleased, especially with some patriotic dances, in
which much waving and intermingling of the French and English flags was
introduced.
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