THE BOOK OF THE EOYAL 



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accordingly now prepared — on tlie west side for the American 

 Show (which was to open on the 1st of June), and on the 

 east side for the regular Shows of the Society. The ground 

 was lowered in the centre of these spots, and prepared for their 

 respective purposes : beds of peat-earth were put into the one 

 for growing Kalmias and Eliododendrons, and grassy banks were 

 made to serve as stages for plants in the other. Two enormous 

 tents, of such lofty and airy proportions as would rival that of 

 the fairy Pari-Banou, were provided, and by much exertion were 

 erected in time for the Shows. 



On the 21st of May the first Great Show was held, and, 

 notwithstanding that the weather was indifferent, its success 

 was complete. There are Fellows of the Society stiU living who 

 remember the first small attempts at holding Flower Shows, — 

 who have watched their rise and progress until they have 

 reached their present magnificence, and have been present at all 

 the greatest, either in Britam or on the Continent. Such of 

 these as were present at the Show on the 21st of May, 1862, 

 emphatically expressed their opinion that as a show it was the 

 finest they had ever seen. The tent was constructed without 

 subdivisions, so that it allowed its whole extent to be seen 

 in one view without interruption, and diffused such a subdued 

 light as showed the flowers to the best advantage, it seeming 

 to be accepted as an axiom by Horticulturists, that flowers 

 never show to such advantage as under canvas. Those who 

 saw this Show, therefore, may congratulate themselves on 

 having seen the finest example of a Flower Show which has 

 ever been held, or probably ever will be held. As often happens, 

 so in this instance did vaulting ambition o'erleap itself ; the 



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