THE SIX OF SPADES. 93 



and the two floral armies fought the battle of the 

 bouquets, and victory was adjudged ; and victors and 

 vanquished supped, " as only boyhood can," upon the 

 Curate's bread and cheese and beer ; and we all went 

 thankfully home, and "bedward ruminating." 



CHAPTER VI. 



THE CLUB IN SESSION. 



WITH that anxiety which we ever feel that they whom 

 we like should like each the other, I have essayed to 

 describe carefully and faithfully the members of our 

 little congress ; and though I am well aware how easy 

 it is to sketch from nature without being natural, I 

 hope that I have conveyed to genial minds, by which 

 I mean minds horticultural, some accurate present- 

 ments, as well as some favourable impressions, with 

 regard to my floral friends. Writing with truth and 

 earnestly, I permit myself to enjoy the pleasant con- 

 fidence that I may have imparted to my readers some 

 of the brotherly regard and affection which occupies 

 my own heart for the hoar head of good Mr. Oldacre ; 

 for the bright, intelligent face of the bearded Chiswick 

 (you should see him in the uniform of our volunteers, 

 as straight and as handsome as a pillar rose) ; for 

 the shrewd, thoughtful countenance of Mr. Evans, 

 musing upon soils, and " stopping," and training, 

 with a view to future exhibitions ; for the shining 

 jolliness of Grundy ; and for the kindly goodness of 



