CONCERNING ROSE-SHOWS 199 



there may even be an isolated case of ignorance, 

 that to eat peas with a knife is one of the deadly 

 sins ; — but, nevertheless, if he loves his flowers, he 

 must be in heart a gentleman. But we have lost our 

 way to the Rose-show. 



We went back to our homes. We appealed for 

 subscriptions to the lovers of the Rose, and they 

 responded, as I knew they would. They responded 

 until our sum total nearly reached £200. We pub- 

 lished our schedule of prizes, amounting to £1^^- 

 We engaged St. James's Hall, an expensive luxury, 

 at 30 guineas for the day, but just then in the first 

 freshness of its beauty, and therefore an attraction in 

 itself We secured the services of the Coldstream 

 band — a mistake, because their admirable music was 

 too loud for indoor enjoyment. We advertised freely. 

 We placarded the walls of London with gorgeous 

 and gigantic posters. And then the great day came. 



The late Mr. John Edwards, who gave us from the 

 first most important help, and who was the best man 

 I ever saw in the practical arrangements of a flower- 

 show, appeared, soon after daybreak, on the scene. 

 He found the Hall crowded with chairs and benches, 

 just as it was left after a concert the night before. 

 Early as it was, he had his staff with him — carpenters 

 and others ; and when I arrived with my Roses, after 

 a journey of 120 miles, at 5.30 A.M., the long tables 



