188 A BOOK ABOUT THE GAEDEN. 



challenging everybody to fight was disqualified, and 

 struck off the list of subscribers. 



I've kept you too long, and I'll only trouble you 

 with one more bit of advice. Whatever else you 

 show, don't show temper. If you win, don't gawster,* 

 and if you lose, don't sulk. Always bear in mind 

 that in Showing, as in everything else, Pluck, 

 Patience, and Perspiration must win the day. 



CHAPTER XI. 

 MR. GEUNDY'S SONG. 



INTRODUCING to readers horticultural a song which 

 has no connection with horticulture, I can only plead 

 that it has been oft applauded by members of our 

 floral brotherhood, and that I am anxious to preserve, 

 among " things which the world would not willingly 

 let die," a peculiar order of vocal music, long preva- 

 lent in our rural districts, but now almost superseded 

 by the melodies of Mr. Christy and other composers. 

 The ballads to which I refer were chanted, in the 

 time of my boyhood, at harvest suppers and other 

 festal meetings of our farm-labourers, and were of a 

 tragic character. They were recited and received with 

 great splernnity, however supernatural the incidents, 

 however homely the diction might be. The articula- 

 tion was slow, the eyes of the vocalist were fixed upon 



* Gaivster, to brag, to boast. 



