CAUSES OF SUCCESS 17 



proceeded in our judicial ofifice to a minute and 

 careful scrutiny. I have never seen better specimens 

 of cut Roses, grown under glass, than those which 

 were exhibited by these working-men. Their Tea- 

 Roses — Adam, Devoniensis, Madame Willermorz, 

 and Souvenir d'un Ami especially — were shown in 

 their most exquisite beauty ; and I do not hesitate to 

 say that the best Marechal Niel which I have ever 

 seen was shown in a jug at Nottingham ! Many of 

 the Hybrid Perpetual varieties appeared in their 

 integrity — a difficult achievement when days are 

 short and dull. Of course, in an exhibition of this 

 kind, with difficulties to oppose which few dare to 

 encounter and very few overcome, these poor florists 

 must include among their masterpieces many speci- 

 mens of medium merit, and some failures. Among 

 the latter I cannot forget a small and sickly exposi- 

 tion of Paul Ricaut, who, by some happy coincidence, 

 which warmed my whole body with laughter, was 

 appropriately placed in a large medicine-bottle, with 

 a label requesting that the wretched invalid might be 

 well rubbed every night and morning. Poor Paul ! a 

 gentle touch would have sent him to pot-pourri! 



When the prizes were awarded we left the show- 

 room, grave and important as two examiners coming 

 out of the schools at Oxford ; and when the under- 

 graduates — I mean the stockingers — had rushed to 



B 



