| “ | It takes years for the land to recuperate from a fire, but even in the darkest of ashes eventually something can grow. | ” |
— Beatrice Baudelaire II, The Beatrice Letters, BB to LS #2
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The Royal Gardens was a series of public gardens found in the city. After they burned down, the gardens were covered in an enormous pile of dirt.[2] Jacques Snicket proved that the destruction of the gardens was arson.[3]
Description[]
The gardens contain several ornate wooden benches ideal for sitting and reading. There is also a structure known as the Poisonous Pavilion, which contains exotic plants. One of these plants was removed prior to the Garden's destruction and used in a case that Justice Strauss was assigned to investigate.[2][1]
The gardens were burnt at one point; Jacques Snicket published an article claiming it was arson, with a following article by Geraldine Julienne claiming that the Official Fire Department declared it an accident.[1] However, Jacques apparently proved that it was an arson.[3]
Speculation[]
It is often speculated that the arsonist of the Royal Gardens was Count Olaf, as he is described as leaving rings on benches and tables due to a lack of a coaster, and such a ring was found on a surviving bench from the gardens. Considering Jacques proved the fire was an arson, it is likely he was attempting to or almost proved Olaf an arsonist before his death. It is also theorized that his arson was in attempt to steal a poisonous plant from the Poisonous Pavilion.[4]
It is likely that the gardens are actually regrowing; ten years following the burning of the Hotel Denouement, Beatrice Baudelaire II mentions that if she looks out the window of the Rhetorical Building, she can see an empty lot growing unusual plants.[5]
Triva[]
- According to the Author's notes in the The Bad Beginning: Rare Edition, a surviving bench from the Royal Gardens was moved into a hotel lobby, most likely Hotel Denouement because the bench had etched rings. This is usally an indication of a villainous person with bad manners.
Appearances[]