THE ROYAL MANTLE 75 



means soon to chop and clear, are turned into trellises for the 

 support of the gay garment. 



The foundation is purple, but the trimming is of every 

 shade and tint, as befits a regal robe ; the chief embroidery is 

 gold, and never artist yet wove such a gorgeous mass of colour 

 as runs in waving, lovely lines throughout the mantle. In the 

 least expected parts it is placed. Sometimes at the hem it 

 sweeps along a shady gully; sometimes at the shoulder it turns 

 a hillside into a golden glow ; again it is found in the folds 

 between two crags, or on the skirt of the thickly wooded 

 brush. But, wherever it is seen, it is always just in the 

 right place ; for there it is put by the artist's hands, not a 

 chance effect, but part of the carefully planned design. 



But gold and purple, regal though they are, do not satisfy 

 the proud mother. Her daughter must be decked in all the 

 beauty of all the fairest colours ; so delicate shades of mauve 

 and pink, blue and brown, are skilfully woven into the gorgeous 

 garment. On the gently sloping breast of the hill, pale lilac 

 orchids are loosely strewn, while at the waist, where hill and 

 valley meet, a pink girdle of starry blossoms is set. Here 

 and there throughout the mantle the vivid blue of the lily 

 makes a bold contrast, while ever and again the deep red of 

 spider flowers or wild fuchsia stands out in daring relief. Such 

 shades she weaves together in the great flower mantle, this 

 wonderful designer, Mother Nature! Colours that no human 

 artist would dare to unite, she throws together without 



