HOETICULTUEAL SOOIETi'. 



their cold fowls and tongues and hams, and the ladies stood or 

 sat on the dishes, the "viands being placed on the bare table ; 

 and the mixture of crossness, good-humour, and fun was inde- 

 scribable. The cold and wet demanded support, and the supply 

 of champagne was liberal, so that, notwithstanding the frightful 

 weather, the company became gay and merry. Little they knew 

 the anxiety and trouble the officials had been put to, to procure 

 them even such qualified enjoyment without iaterrviption. The 

 entertainment had scarcely commenced when news was brought 

 to Dr. Lindley, that the torrents of rain had so soaked and 

 sapped the earth, that the pillars or supports of the temporary 

 buildings forming the rear of the tents were beginning to yield, 

 and that there was danger that the whole fabric might give way, 

 and bury the company in its wet embrace. Dr. Lindley, with 

 his usual fertility of resource, instantly sent into the streets, 

 pot-houses, barns, and smithies of Chiswiok and Turnham Green, 

 wherever men in a ramy day most do congregate. " Hire," said 

 he, " every man you can get ; don't stand upon the price ; give 

 them one shilling an hour, two shillings, five shiUings, whatever 

 they rec[uire, but hire them instantly, and send them in at once." 

 As the men came, they were posted in clumps around every 

 piQar and support to hold them up, while the unconscious guests 

 revelled within. As the day wore on, matters became worse. 

 It was only by main force that the buUdmgs were sustained. 

 Still the entertamment ran its course. At last it came to a 

 close, and the visitors began to take their departure. As they 

 went the weather began to clear, and at six o'clock the rain 

 ceased. The guests paused in their departure, and determined 

 on a fresh effort at enjoyment. The musicians, who had retired 



