HOMAGE TO HENRI ROUSSEAU (September 17, 2000)

At the Chelsea Physic Garden, founded in 1673 on the north bank of the Thames as a training facility for pharmacists and physicians, the spirit of Henri Rousseau lurks behind every exotic bush, every rare tree. After a while, one begins to miss him in his black suit and drooping mustache. One begins to miss the python and the tiger, too.