There now seems every probability of the Kensington Garden being doomed; and this is a subject rather for congratulation than complaint, since it has been a stumbling-block to the Society since its first establishment. Bad in point of design, and expensive to keep up, it has done nothing in the interest of horticulture that might not have been done far better in the fine old garden at Chiswick. The last-named establishment has always been interesting to horticulturists, and would now have been one of the finest gardens in England for all practical purposes had not its resources been cut off to supply those of its would-be more aristocratic companion. The Kensington establishment has relapsed into little more than a fashionable square for the convenience of householders in the neighbourhood, and we hope yet to see Chiswick again the centre of horticulture - a position it ought always to have retained. The sooner the gardens at South Kensington are handed over to her Majesty's Commissioners the better; and when that step is taken, the Fellows may congratulate themselves on having got rid of a burden that has weighed down and thwarted their best efforts for years.

There are legal difficulties in the way of this being done; and owing to the bungling policy of the management, the Society's affairs have unhappily become so complicated and entangled that we are very much afraid one difficulty after another will prevent their adjustment.

Like Diogenes, we look in vain for a man able and willing to take the helm of the stranding ship. Committees and councils are all very well in their way, but we know of nothing more likely than these to cripple and warp real progress. We never yet knew a concern, however large and complicated, that could not be better managed by an energetic man properly seconded, than by the best of committees.

The great secret of Lindley's success may be attributed to his vigorous and decisive mode of action, and this no committee ever dared to stifle. He held the power in his own hands, and all others did his bidding without a single complaint, since none doubted his ability to rule. If the garden at South Kensington is handed over to the Commissioners, it is probable that some satisfactory arrangement could be made at the same time with regard to the exhibitions, while all the other work of the Society can very well be carried on at Chiswick under the present able management there. It must be borne in mind that while the South Kensington Garden is held by the Society, a yearly rental expenditure of 4000 guineas is incurred - that is to say, a debenture debt of £2000 per annum is due, and a rental of £2400 ought to be paid in addition, although the payment of the last sum is conditional on the Society's annual profits being large enough to meet the claim.

The object of the Society, according to the original charter, is, to further and advance Horticulture; and this it has done in its day, but latterly its power to work with good effect has been considerably weakened by the expenses of the Kensingtonian playground and bad management combined. It must be borne in mind that the land at South Kensington is valued at from £250,000 to £300,000, and having been purchased by the surplus funds from the Exhibition of 1851, it naturally belongs to the public for the public good. Looking at it in this light, it certainly does not seem right for the Society to retain so much valuable property, while they employ it mainly as a fashionable square or promenade. Certainly there are the periodical meetings and exhibitions; but there is every reason to believe that these could be held with equal benefit and convenience (under certain conditions) even after the property lapses into the hands of the Commissioners; while the uses to which the latter body might apply it would be more beneficial to the general public than those now adopted by the Society. The gradual decline of the Society is much to be deplored by all devoted to horticultural and kindred pursuits, and is mainly attributable to the lethargy of successive councils, and the absence of a man of sufficient calibre who would have kept up the status and dignity of the Society as well as of horticulture.

The late assistant-secretary probably did as much as any other man, who was not practically a horticulturist, could have done under the circumstances; but if the Royal Horticultural Society is to prosper, a man must be at its head in whose ability to govern, horticulturists as a body have full confidence. We need scarcely add that even the little confidence felt in the late council is not possessed by the present one, so that the Society is at present practically without the means of coming to an arrangement with the powers that be. The sooner, therefore, these blunders are rectified, the better it will be both for the Society and for horticulturists.

At the last meeting of the Society (November 12) some of the leading Fellows belonging to the horticultural party were busily organising a plan by which the Society's affairs might be placed upon a more satisfactory footing. Any straightforward course of action on the part of the horticulturists is sure to meet with success; and if ever the Society needed a hearty co-operation of its practical horticultural members, it is at the present time. Just now we know nothing of the scheme likely to be adopted in order to extricate the Society from its present undignified position, but we are certain that prompt and decisive action will prove the best. Horticulturists have been badly treated by the Society; but at a time like this, petty grievances must be forgotten, and all interested in the matter must work together for the general good.