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A BOOK ABOUT ROSES 



not only lives among Roses, but among Roses in their 

 most perfect phase. He should know the capabilities 

 of each separate variety, as to symmetry, colour, and 

 size, that he may estimate and compare accurately the 

 merits of the flowers before him. He should know 

 thoroughly their habit of growth, their peculiarities of 

 leaf and wood, that he may correct misnomers, and 

 detect additions or duplicates. He should regard his 

 office as a sacred duty, not only because justice and 

 honour are sacred things, but because there seems to 

 be a special sanctity in such beautiful handiwork of 

 God : and to be untruthful and dishonest in such a 

 presence and purity should be profane in his sight, as 

 though he lied to an angel. But his duty will be his 

 delight also, and thus, having his inclination at unity 

 with his conscience, and his love instructed by his 

 reason, he cannot fail to fulfil it. Knowing the law 

 thoroughly, and sifting the evidence minutely, he 

 must give the sentence of a righteous judge. Never 

 tiring, when the competition is close, in his keen and 

 patient scrutiny, estimating every Rose by a fixed 

 standard, setting down in his note-book, counting, 

 comparing their respective marks of merits and defect, 

 bringing the boxes, if distant, into close proximity, 

 anxiously attentive to the comments of his colleagues, 

 bestowing the same care upon the ^ cottager's 6 ' as 

 upon the ' nurseryman's 72,' he is never satisfied until 



