APRIL. 119 



more from the great sympathy you expressed for us when some distant 

 connections of ours were so shamefully and cruelly put to death by that 

 dreadful old man. I can assure you our very frames shook, and 

 thoughts of the Black Hole of Calcutta and that dreadful well at 

 Cawnpore came rushing in upon us. 1 he consequence of the attention 

 drawn to us by your friends (I believe they are) lota, $, and yourself, 

 has been of a very cheering character ; and I am happy to be able to 

 tell you that we are rapidly advancing in public favour. Thus, our 

 excellent Scotch friend, whom you speak of so highly, Mr. Lightbody, 

 of Falkirk, has, so I learn, not only sold all the plants he had of his 

 own to spare, but has bought in from neighbouring growers all their 

 spare stock, and has since potting time sold upwards of 1000 plants. 

 Then, again, our kind friends, Messrs. Dodwell, Holland, and Co., had 

 prepared extensive quarters for us. They had doubled their stock, and 

 raised their blooming plants to 2000 ; but have had such a demand 

 that it does not now exceed one-half that ; and the only nurseryman 

 who pays us any attention in the south, Mr. Turner, had had his stock 

 so reduced that his foreman quite grieves to see all his fine plants 

 carried off, one after another. As this is the case, it has occurred to us 

 that we might possibly be able to come out in our best holiday colours 

 at an exhibition. You remember (for, though you are a clergyman, I 

 must bring it to your mind) when we used to see you, in poor John 

 Dickson's days, at " The Horns," at Kennington. I don't mean to 

 accuse you of putting in a night with us ; but you certainly did make 

 a good day now and then there ; now, why can't this be done again. 

 Miss Maria and Sophia Chapman say that their Papa is quite healthy, 

 and they fully expect some little sisters by and by, while Miss Aurora 

 Headly assures me her papa's love towards her and her brothers is by 

 no means lessened. I think, then, that, if those who are so anxious to 

 secure our services, were to put their heads together, we might rise 

 still higher in public esteem ; will you, then, Sir, be kind enough to 

 think over it. Perhaps the Botanic Society wonld allow us to hold an 

 exhibition at their April shows, or themselves give a little more 

 encouragement to class showing. 



With much esteem, 



Believe me, 

 For self and fellows, 

 Your humble servant, 



G. E. Auricula. 



Such is the letter ; what say you, brother growers, to it ? Can it be, 

 or can it not be ? We can't have a national Auricula show. We are 

 too aristocratic for the multitude, the "profanum vulgus." But even 

 though no prizes were to be given of money value, could we we not get 

 up something of the kind in London for our mutual encouragement. 



Deal, March 19. D. 



