CONCERNING ROSE-SHOWS 195 



assented readily to all I asked from them. I was 

 quite happy, quite certain of success, when I had read 

 these letters ; and I remember that in the exuberance 

 of my joy I attempted foolishly a perilous experiment, 

 which quickly ended in bloodshed — I began to 

 whistle in the act of shaving. 



Shortly afterwards we met in London as members 

 of her Majesty Queen Rose's Council. The council- 

 chamber (Webb's Hotel, Piccadilly)^ was hardly so 

 spacious, or so perfectly exempt from noise, as became 

 such an august assembly, but our eyes and our ears 

 were with the Rose. We commenced with a pro- 

 ceeding most deeply interesting to every British heart 

 — we unanimously ordered dinner. Then we went 

 to work. We resolved that there should be a Grand 

 National Rose- Show, and that we would raise the 

 necessary funds by subscribing £s ^^-ch as a com- 

 mencement, and by soliciting subscriptions. That 

 the first show should be held in London about the 

 1st day of July 1858. That the prizes, silver cups, 

 should be awarded to three classes of exhibitors — 

 namely, to growers for sale, to amateurs regularly 

 employing a gardener, and to amateurs not regularly, 

 etc. We then discussed minor details, and having 

 agreed to reassemble, when our financial prospects 

 were more clearly developed, we parted. 



^ Removed years ago to make room for the Criterion Theatre. 



