^ The Old "^oses f% 



We have too the Rose des Peintres, the rose with 

 incurving petals and raised centre, which figures in the 

 old Dutch flower paintings. We still have the Spong 

 and de Meaux roses. According to Andrews, the Spong 

 rose (a hybrid between the cabbage rose and the Rose de 

 Meaux) was so called from having been first raised in 

 quantities by a gardener of that name. According to 

 Rivers, the de Meaux rose (the R. Pomponiana of Redoute) 

 originated in a garden near Taunton. This little rose, 

 which is only about 18 inches high, has exquisitely in- 

 curved pink petals and is wonderfully fragrant. All the 

 old diminutive roses have, I think, the same fascination 

 as paintings of children by the old masters. They have 

 the same quaint demure charm. According to tradition 

 the de Meaux rose grows only 



' Where the great of other days have been ; 

 Left, like a noble deed, to grace 

 The memory of an ancient race.* 



The origin of the name * de Meaux ' can only be con- 

 jectured. It seems probable that it may have come from 

 the flower-loving Bishop of Meaux, Domenique Seguier, 

 who devoted so much care and thought to his garden. 

 He was above all interested in roses, of which he had 

 eighteen kinds. He was Bishop of Auxerre from 163 1 to 

 1637, when he was translated to the see of Meaux. One of 

 the loveliest of the smaller membersof the Provence family 

 is Petite de Hollande. Not only does it bear masses of 

 charming little shell-pink flowers, but its curious branch- 

 ing habit is so attractive. The flowers of Konigen von 

 Denmark rather resemble Petite de Hollande, but the 

 former are not so attractive. 



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