NOVEMBER. 335 



since he could remember, that these were the judges. They stayed 

 long with some of the groups, making notes, and examining every 

 flower, but at some they gave but a momentary glance, just sliook the 

 head and passed. Arriving where she was tliey smiled most graciously, 

 and she was feeling particularly proud and delighted, when suddenly 

 one of the triumvirate abruptly seized her by the neck, and, lifting her 

 from her zinc tube, exclaimed — "Hollo! what have we here?" — 

 " New to me," said No. 2, " but evidently good ; shape perfect ; 

 colour novel, most delicate, and beautiful." — " Why she has petals 

 enough for two Roses," quoth No. 3 ; " she's a gem, and no mistake." 

 Back she went to her place, and on went the judicial trio. Again they 

 took a general survey, again paid us a visit, and finally placed beibre 

 us, to our unbounded joy, a large ornamental card, whereon was 

 printed, " First Prize." (Loud cheers from all parts of the Rosarium, 

 the successful competitors colouring and blushing, and some turning 

 quite pale with emotion.) She would not indulge in further eulogy of 

 self, but would content herself with stating that, on two subsequent 

 occasions, she had been equally " victorious, happy, and glorious " as 

 on her first debut. Had she not, then, just cause for dissatisfaction, 

 when she found herself classified by Mr. Rivers among Roses " not 

 quite first-rate," merely described as " bright rose," and valued at one- 

 and-sixpence ? (Cheers and tears.) 



Alphonse de Lamartine might not possess those charms and graces 

 which beautified the last speaker, but she had been thrice successfully 

 exhibited in her society ; more than one judge had pointed to her and 

 said that she was " the shape they wanted ;" Mr. Lane had kindly said 

 that she was " globular, and very pretty ;" Mr. Paul considered her to 

 possess a " fine tbrm, large and full ; " she had been called " a duck," 

 " a pet," " a love," and " a darling," by hundreds of young ladies, 

 while scores of gentlemen had pronounced her to be "a stunner," " a 

 tidyish flower, &c. ;" she was a great favourite with her master, who 

 had budded her in a most ample and complimentary manner ; and she 

 therefore did not see why she was to be degraded by Mr. Rivers ; sl^e 

 would not endure it— no, that she would not ; and if he came within 

 reach of her thorns, she had a great mind to scratch his eyes out. 



Miss Naomi would say that a more industrious, steady, little rose 

 than herself did not grow in that garden. Now was she not most^ 

 regular in her habits, punctual in blooming, abundant in flowers of 

 never-varying fulness and beauty ? Was she not nearly related to, and 

 considered very closely to resemble, the distinguished Duchess in the 

 chair ? What had she done to offend Mr, Rivers ? 



Madame Lamoriciere would like to be informed what Mr. Rivers 

 wanted. She knew that she was a little uncertain, but it was the 

 privilege of her sex to be so, and Mr. Rivers ought to be the last to 

 complain on that subject, for she had no hesitation in saying that he 

 himself was a regular flirt. He had said once upon a time that her 

 "shape" was "exquisite," and now he had deserted her for newer 

 charms, and had nothing to say for her except that she was " bright 

 pink." (" Shame ! shame ! " from all the ladies.) _ 



William Jesse would be blowed—(" Order ! order !")— that is, he 



