Page 3 Advertisements Column 3

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10901, 4 November 1898, Page 3

It appears that the famed apothecaries Garden at Chelsea is in danger of coming to grief. It has been announced that the Society of Apothecaries have intimated they are unablo any longer to maintain the famous physio garden, which has been in their possession for over two centuries and a quarter. It is recorded that it was in 1673 the original lease ■was granted to the society by Charles Choyno, whose name has been "writ largo" in the topographical history of the parish; but from 1721 it lias been associated with Sir Hans Sloane, whoso statue was erected in the centre of the garden, and whose name may be said to be a household word to all sorts and conditions of Londoners. The conditions under which the garden was made over to the Apothecaries Society were: " That it should at all times be continued as a physio garden for the manifestation of the power and wisdom and goodness of God in creation, and that the apprentices might learn to distinguish good and useful herbs from hurtful ones." Another condition imposed was that each year the society should present to the Royal Society specimens of sixty new plants until their number reached 2000. Some records state that the garden was originated by Sir Hans Sloane, and that in 1721 it was by deed of gift by him handed over to the Apothecaries Society, who have owned and maintained it to this day, Sir Hans granting the society the freehold. From a sense of gratitude the sftciety erected in the centre of the garden a marble statue of their benefactor, and they also formed a library of botanical works, and added from time to time numerous specimens of dried plants. The statue was executed by Michael P»y6braeck. "At the time the garden was formed," writes the author of " London .Visited in 1851," "it must have stood entirely in the country, and had every chance of the plants in it maintaining a healthy state. Now, however, it is completely in the town, and but for its being on the side of the river, and lying open on that quarter,, it would be altogether, surrounded with common streets and houses." Smith and Caughey . have opened, 'ex s.s. Kaikoura, special value in whito and striped Turkish towels, ' from • 2Jd up; ■' also, : striped Turkish roller . towelling,'? 4j|d,. s£d, 6Jd, to Is 2d. , J