HOW TO SHOW THE ROSE. 261 



and sat upon the ottoman beside her in a grand 

 garment of the same color as her own, but of a 

 much more brilHant and effective dye ; and I have 

 seen many a Rose which would weep, if it could, 

 aromatic rose-water, subdued by a like despair. 

 Whereas every flower should be so placed as to 

 enhance its neighbor's charms — the fair blonde 

 with her golden locks smiling upon the brunette 

 with her raven hair, each made by the contrast 

 loveher. Once upon a time six pretty sisters 

 lived at home together always. In looks, in 

 figure, in voice, gait, and apparel, they exactly 

 resembled each other. Young gentlemen, seeing 

 them apart, fell madly in love, as young gentle- 

 men ought to do; but on going to the house, and 

 being introduced to the family, they were bewil- 

 dered by the exact similitude, didn't know which 

 they had come to see, couldn't think of proposing 

 at random, made blunders, apologies, retreats. 

 It seemed as though all these charming flowers 

 would be left to " wither on the virgin Thorn," 

 when one of them was permitted to leave her 

 home upon a visit to a distant friend. She 

 returned in six weeks ^zV;/ fiancee, and six months 

 after was a bride. The rest followed her example. 

 So it is that six scarlet Roses or six pink Roses 

 in close proximity perplex the spectator, and de- 



