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| Illustration from On The Growth of Plants in Closely Glazed Cases, by Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward. |
“Fernie! Fernie!”
Papa called in wild excitement. “There is a delivery for you!” Fernie came
running down the hallway before she reminded herself she must not run indoors
like a galloping horse—as Papa had just done. She met him in the back of the
house, outdoors. “What is it, Papa?”
“See for yourself,” he replied. “It is from Mr. Ward. Can
you not guess what it might be?”
Fernie could not contain her exuberance as she gazed at the
large crate before her. “Oh, Papa!” she exclaimed. “Is it one of his cases?!”
Papa opened the crate to reveal that it was indeed a Wardian
case; one of the first.
Mama came to see about what all the fuss was.
“Oh, Mama!” cried Fernie. “Look what Mr. Ward has sent us
all the way from London!”
Mama eyed it with less enthusiasm. She knew it must be
plant-related and it appeared by all accounts to be one of those giant cases
that Mrs. Ward had related to her in their correspondences. Mrs. Ward did not
seem to mind as much, even though these cases were taking up every square inch
of the Ward household. Was the FitzWilliam house to be invaded next? Mama
consoled herself with the thought that since they were in the country, perhaps there
was room for it outside. Surely it
would not have to be kept in the house
as it would be in town?
“I think this shall fit very nicely in the drawing room,”
suggested Papa.
“Oh, now MISTER FitzWilliam, not the drawing room!” she
said emphatically. This was too much to
be born. For, what would the ladies say at her next tea?!
“Where do you
propose, then?” he asked, more mildly. He knew she was rightly vexed when she
addressed him thusly with an emphasis on “Mister.”
Fernie watched this exchange doing her best not to speak out
of turn, for it was a time when children did not speak so freely with their
elders. She knew the case should come
inside and be placed in an advantageous area--for that was its purpose. It must come in the house. It must!
“Perhaps in your library,” suggested Mama. “For then you may
monitor it daily.”
“Well, that is a thought,” agreed Papa. He looked at Fernie,
who was practically dancing in wild anticipation. “What say you, Fanny?” They both knew this placated Mrs. FitzWilliam when he used her proper
name.
Finally! Now it was her turn to speak! “Could we not transport it to my bed chamber?”
Fernie asked tentively.
“Yes! YES!” cried Mama with such a violent enthusiasm as
to startle Papa. “Of course! That is the perfect place for it. For then Fanny
shall have access to it as often as need be!”
Papa smiled. “My dearest Mrs. FitzWilliam, I am happy at
your wise suggestion. That is a much better course of action than for it to be
in your drawing room.” He turned to the footmen and requested that it be taken
to Fernie’s bed chamber.
Fernie regarded her father and mother with wonderment. They
were both smiling with satisfaction; Mama because she had prevented this
monstrosity from being housed in her drawing room, and Papa because he had successfully
brought it into the house with Mama
in agreement. Fernie marveled at such a negotiation and smiled, too. Her own Wardian case!
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| These are later versions of the variety of Wardian cases. Fernie's would not have looks so elegant! (Image from Wikipedia) |
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