THE BOOK OF THE EOTAL 



began to swell and heave, ominous fla^jpings and thunderings 

 gave the alarm, and at last, first in one jjlace and then in 

 another, the sheets of canvas tore from ridge to eave. It was 

 no slight emergency. It would be difficult to state the value of 

 the plants which were now at hazard, many of them plants of a 

 size which could not be replaced, and others species or varieties 

 which were unique and not to be purchased ; and a few minutes' 

 flapping of the heavy canvas would soon beat them into shreds. 

 The President, His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch, happened at 

 the time to be in the neighbouring Exhibition Building, a hasty 

 summons brought him and Sir Wentworth Dilke to the spot, 

 and they both, like good men and true, lent their manual 

 assistance in holding down and furKng the rebellious canvas. 

 Ere long the assistance of Captain Maynard and his practised 

 crew of sailors was got from the neighbouring building, and m 

 an incredibly short space of time the huge thundering sheets 

 of canvas were, as if by magic, stilled, rolled tightly wp, and 

 the whole roof struck. Here was seen the danger and hazard 

 of tents for shows. — Next day Avas seen their use, and the 

 necessity of covering for an American show. It had been said, 

 why protect hardy plants 1 A few minutes' want of protection 

 answered this question. As the fierce blast tore and eddied 

 boisterously through the banks of Rhododendrons, the glowino- 

 bloom which covered every plant hke a sheet was stripped ruth- 

 lessly from the branches, — flowers, buds, leaves, and twigs were 

 tossed into the air and swept furiously away, or were beaten 

 down to the wet ground by the heavy gusts of dashing rain. 



Fortunately much less actual mischief was done to the plants 

 themselves than could have been expected, but the Show was 



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