302 



THE FLORIST. 



and of social order, I confess myself under an obligation to the con- 

 ductors of a periodical dedicated to a subject of general amusement 

 and of national partiality, which has infused into the pursuit, and 

 circulated among the population, a high tone of that righteousness 

 which exalteth a nation. — I am, Sir, yours. 



Iota. 



"PRAY REMEMBER THE POOR FROZEN-OUT GARDENERS!" 



For the tailpiece to our present Volume, we present our younger 

 readers with a sketch illustrating a custom now extinct, at least in 

 our neighbourhood. Some years back, as soon as inclement weather 

 rendered it impossible for the men and women employed in the mar- 

 ket-gardens to pursue their daily labours, they formed themselves 

 into bands, and bearing bunches of vegetables upon poles, solicited 

 donations from the charitably disposed, appealing to them with the 

 cry of *' Pray remember the poor frozen-out gardeners !" As it was 

 generally the most idle and profligate that composed these parties, 

 and the proceeds were almost invariably expended in dissipation, it 

 was considered an abuse, and was suppressed by the magistrates 

 and police. Our cut gives an excellent representation of one of 

 these parties. 



