AT A ROSE-SHOW 263 



all doubts are dispelled, and the award of his lips is 

 the sure conviction of his heart. 



As the judge enters, the exhibitor leaves the show, 

 first turning to gaze once again upon the exquisite 

 beauty of the scene, the long avenues of Roses, the 

 fairest examples which the world can bring of its most 

 lovely flower. The flat surface of the boxes is pleas- 

 ingly diversified (or should be) by the stately palm, 

 the Japanese maple, the graceful fern, the elegant 

 Humea, by Croton, Caladium, Dracaena, Coleus, and 

 the like, which not only prevent the uniformity from 

 becoming monotonous, and the repetition wearisome, 

 but soften agreeably that blaze of colour which would 

 be, without such contrast and interruption, too bright 

 for mortal ken. These are placed at regular intervals 

 in the centre of the tables, singly, or in groups. 

 Pretty specimens of the silver-leafed maple {Acer 

 Negundo variegatum), about 4 feet in height, were thus 

 freely introduced, and with admirable effect, at one of 

 the Birmingham Rose-shows. 



And now there comes for the young lover who has 

 just made, as it were, his proposals to the Rose, a 

 tedious interval, a long suspense, a nervous restless 

 agitation. The lady has always smiled on him, but 

 what will papa say — ix. the judge? When next the 

 suitor sees his sweetheart, will she bring with her the 

 written approbation of his suit, even as Miss Wilson 



