GARDEN ROSES 183 



^ lovely sisters/ are as two winsome maids of honour 

 in waiting upon the Bourbon Queen — dethroned, it is 

 true, by more potent rivals, but still asking our loyal 

 love for its sweet, abundant, fawn-coloured flowers. 

 The Rev. H. D'Ombrain, in the flesh, is a true 

 Rosarian, a trusty, genial writer, an accomplished 

 florist, as all florists know ; and in the flower he is 

 one of our best Bourbon Roses. Not so beautiful, of 

 course, as his daughter Marguerite D'Ombrain, H.P. 

 (of whom more anon), but an early, reliable, vigorous, 

 bright carmine Rose. Were the Roses sentient, as I 

 sometimes think they are, this one would have their 

 special regard and honour. Mr. D'Ombrain has not 

 only been, as it were, the consul for French Roses in 

 England, making known the merits of the new- 

 comers, and so insuring for them a kindly welcome, 

 and the faithful friend of French Rosarians also, in 

 soliciting help for those who, residing near Paris, 

 suffered severely during the siege ; but more recently 

 at home he has established a fresh claim upon the 

 gratitude of all Rosarians, by suggesting and organis- 

 ing a National Rose Society, and by reviving the 

 National Rose Show. 



All the Tea-Roses may with care be grown out of 

 doors in a congenial site and with protection from 

 frost, and may be strictly included as hardy Roses for 

 the general garden ; the most vigorous being those of 



