AT A ROSE-SHOW. 28 1 



not only prevent the uniformity from becoming monoton- 

 ous, and the repetition wearisome, but soften agreeably that 

 blaze of colour which would be, without such contrast and 

 interruption, too bright for mortal ken. These are placed 

 at regular intervals in the centre of the tables, singly, or in 

 groups. Pretty specimens of the silver- leafed maple {Acer 

 Negimdo varicgatitm), about 4 feet in height, were thus freely 

 introduced, and with admirable effect, at the last Birming- 

 ham Rose-show. 



And now there comes for this young lover who has just 

 made, as it were, his proposals to the Rose, a tedious 

 interval, a long suspense, a nervous, restless agitation. 

 The lady has always smiled on him, but what will papa 

 say, i.e., the judge.^ When next the suitor sees his sweet- 

 heart, will she bring with her the written approbation of 

 his suit, even as Miss Wilson returned from the one Pro- 

 fessor, her father, to the other Professor, Aytoun, her lover, 

 having a slip of paper pinned upon her dress, and upon 

 that paper the happy words, ''With the author's compli- 

 ments " } When next the exhibitor sees his Roses, will 

 there be a prize-card on his box } 



He wonders fretfully. He retires to his hotel. He 

 refreshes the outer and the inner man. What can be the 



