240 A BOOK ABOUT ROSES 



minor details. The amateur, with more leisure than 

 the man of business for the study of the beautiful, 

 and for the most effective display of his fewer flowers, 

 ought to excel, but, as a rule, does not. His Roses 

 are very rarely made the most of in this respect, but 

 are frequently marred and spoiled, the colours clash- 

 ing and contending with each other, instead of com- 

 bining against their common adversary. It is told of 

 a highly sensitive dame, whose silly pride was in dress, 

 that she went into hysterics before a large party 

 when her great rival in millinery came and sat upon 

 the ottoman beside her in a grand garment of the 

 same colour as her own, but of a much more brilliant 

 and effective dye ; and I have seen many a Rose 

 which would weep, if it could, aromatic rose-water, 

 subdued by a like despair. Whereas every flower 

 * should be so placed as to enhance its neighbour's 

 charms — the fair blonde with her golden locks smiling 

 upon the brunette with her raven hair, each made 

 by the contrast lovelier. Once upon a time six pretty 

 sisters lived at home together always. In looks, in 

 figure, in voice, gait, and apparel, they exactly re- 

 sembled each other. Young gentlemen seeing them 

 apart, fell madly in love, as young gentlemen ought 

 to do ; but on going to the house, and being intro- 

 duced to the family, they were bewildered by the 

 exact similitude ; didn't know which they had come 



