CONCERNING ROSE-SHOWS 205 



Rosarians, the Rev. Mr. Radclyffe, wrote of it, * Suc- 

 cessful beyond all anticipation ' ; and I went to bed 

 that night as tired, as happy, and, I hope, as thankful, 

 as I had so much good cause to be. 



The Second National Rose-Show was held in the 

 following year, June 23, 1859, at the Hanover Square 

 Rooms, the former site not being available ; and 

 again we had the best Roses of England, a goodly 

 company, and prosperous issues. The general effect, 

 although the introduction of the pot - Roses broke 

 gracefully the monotonous surface of the cut flowers, 

 was inferior to that produced in the more genial 

 summer of 1858, and in the more ample and ornate 

 accommodations of St James's Hall. But it was now 

 more evident than ever that although we had toned 

 down our music by substituting strings and reeds for 

 brass, no room in London was large enough for the 

 levies of the Queen of Flowers. Next year, accord- 

 ingly, after a correspondence and arrangement with 

 the directors. 



The Third National Rose-Show was held (July 12, 

 i860) in the Crystal Palace at Sydenham. Here was a 

 throne-room meet for Her Majesty, and 16,000 of her 

 lieges came to do her homage. 



The Fourth National Rose-Show was held under the 

 auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society in their 

 gardens at South Kensington, July 10, 1861. I was 



