JULY. 161 



OUR ILLUSTRATIONS. 



If there is one point we have given more attention to than 

 another in conducting the Florist and Garden Miscellany ^ it 

 has been the attempting to ensure fidelity in our illustrations ; 

 and we thought we had been very successful in steering clear 

 of exaggerated figures of any flowers selected for representa- 

 tion. In many cases we have felt that justice has not been 

 done them, either in the drawings or colouring, arising more 

 from the difficulties attendant on this department than from 

 any other cause. It was, therefore, with regret we learnt that 

 the Tulip, Haward's Magnificent, figured in our volume for 

 1848, was a gross misrepresentation; and we stated as much 

 in our April Number, p. 110. Mr. Macefield immediately 

 wrote, assuring us that the flower instead of being flattered 

 was not done justice to; and this was followed by the accom- 

 panying letter, which we acknowledged by requesting the 

 writer as a disinterested party to wait until the Tulip was in 

 bloom, and then to compare the drawing and flower, and report. 

 He not only kindly acceded to our wish, but forwarded us 

 two blooms ; and we have great pleasure in stating that the 

 drawing in our work is very inferior indeed to the flower itself. 

 Mr. Macefield must see that this testimony to the beauty and 

 value of the Tulip in question will be more satisfactory to our 

 readers than any assertions unaccompanied by evidence such 

 as we now aflford. 



TULIP, ROSE MAGNIFICENT. 



In these remarks it is not the intention of the writer to question 

 the wisdom of seeing all flowers intended for figuring in your Journal, 

 in preference to depending upon drawings. Indeed, with such fa- 

 cilities as you now offer in the Florist, there is little need of them. 

 But the question at issue is, — Is the drawing of Magnificent by 

 Wakelin a truthful one ? does it fairly represent the original ? If 

 it does not, then have both the artist and the grower practised a 

 fraud upon the fancy : this is the point I wish to come at. 



It happened to be show-day in this locality, and a goodly muster 

 of amateurs were assembled (among whom was the writer), feasting 

 their eyes on " Flora's favourites," when Mr. Wakelin brought home 

 the drawing of Magnificent ; and Mr. Macefield solicited the opinion 

 of all present as to the correctness of the likeness. Not less than 

 twenty persons, all fanciers, and two of them artists by profession, 

 bore testimony to the correctness of the drawing, one only diflTering, 

 not that it was flattered, but, on the contrary, that the drawing 

 did not bring out the beauty of the original, — there was a square- 

 ness about the copy which did not exist in the flower : this was the 



VOL. HI. NO. XXXI. o 



