AT A ROSE-SHOW 251 



ence — many dear and steadfast friends. For me 

 floriculture has done so much — quickening good 

 desires and rebuking evil — that I have ever faith in 

 those with whom its power prevails. But let us 

 never forget, while we congratulate and commend 

 each other as florists, that humility on the score of 

 our multitudinous weeds is more becoming than 

 pride in our little dish of sour wizened fruit ; that ^ we 

 are the sons of women. Master Page ; ' and that the 

 serpent hides still among our flowers. And now, to 

 confirm such wholesome memories, I will present to 

 the young Rosarian one or two specimens of our 

 weaker brethren, that he may learn to check betimes 

 in himself those infirmities which are common to us 

 all, and which, when they gain the mastery, make 

 men objects of contempt and ridicule, I must add 

 that although I paint from the life, my pictures are 

 never portraits of the individual, but always studies 

 from the group — a group brought together by 

 memory from diverse parts and periods, but display- 

 ing in its members such a strong family resemblance 

 that I must guard myself against a natural 

 suspicion. 



The Irascible Exhibitor loses no time in verifying 

 his presence to our eyes and ears. Talking so 

 rapidly that * a man ought to be all ear to follow,' as 

 Schiller said of Madame de Stael, and so loudly that 



