§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONsaid, he wished to ask the Chief Commissioner of Works, Whether any arrangement could be made at the Royal Botanical Gardens, whereby the public could be admitted at an earlier hour than at present?
§ MR. LAYARDsaid, in reply, that the gardens at Kew were used for scientific purposes as well as a place of resort for pleasure-seekers, and in consequence of the work to be done in the hot-houses and elsewhere it was necessary to have the gardens closed in the early part of the day. It was considered necessary by the late Sir W. J. Hooker that they should be closed till one o'clock; but he (Mr. Layard) was in communication with Dr. Hooker, the present Director, with a view to see if the public could not be admitted at an earlier hour.