2/2 A BOOK ABOUT ROSES. 



the lists against such an adversary." * That is to say, he 

 would like to interrupt, to accuse, to reproach, and perhaps 

 to challenge, but certainly not to fight, for these passionate 

 folk are invariably cowards. They dare not attack with 

 anything but words ; unless they possess an overwhelming 

 power, like that suburban, pot-house, betting Eleven, who 

 once upon a time persuaded Jimmy Dean to act as umpire 

 at one of their boosy matches, and ran him home six miles 

 across country with furious execrations and threats to Lon- 

 don, because he gave a decision adverse to their interest at 

 a critical period of the game. 



At one time you will see the Irascible Exhibitor standing 

 by his Roses, and revealing his wrongs to any who will 

 hear; occasionally making a deep impression upon elderly 

 ladies, and almost persuading very young reporters to 

 chronicle his woes in print ; but oftener failing to evoke 

 sympathy, you will find him with a countenance, like Dis- 

 pleasure in the Fairy Queen, " lompish and full suUein," 

 aloof, solitary — like some morose old pike swimming slowly 

 about in a back-water, while all the other fishes are leaping 

 in the sunlit stream. Finally, he discovers some malcontent 

 like himself — iin sot troiive toujours uji plus sot qui V admire — 



* Robertson's History of Chai'les V., vol. i. 



