HORTICULTUEAL JOUEXAL. 26 
retirement into private life of Richard Cobden has attracted much observa- 
tion. Can it be that the high price of corn, in spite of repeal, has any con- 
nection with this matter ? The Rose of England is blooming still. Long 
may it be ere her flowers shall fade and her leaves wither ! Shylock still 
" frets his hour upon the stage." Allusion to Sir Charles Napier, during 
his absence in the Baltic, would not be in good taste. He will doubtles be 
able to give a good account of himself on his return. Of the worthy baronets 
Sir Frederick Bathurst and Sir Robert Peel, suflBce it to say they still 
maintain a high position in that society of which they are distinguished 
ornaments. Whittington continues to prove worthy of his fairly-earned 
honors. Thames Bank Hero, having "achieved greatness" for himself, 
may now repose upon his laurels, with the firm conviction that sterling worth 
will ever prove Triumphant. White Standard has been kept closely furled. 
Ay, truly: no "flag of truce" for Britons! The meteor flag of England 
waves proudly over land and sea. Long may it float triumphant, the 
emblem of safety to her children, of confusion to her enemies, and the 
enemies of her first-born — Liberty ! 
But whither away ! My favorite hobby has bolted with me, as usual. 
He will carry me steadily enough so long as we keep the beaten road ; but 
no sooner do we emerge upon the soft turf, with the ostensible purpose of 
enjoying a quiet canter, than the ungrateful brute takes the bit between his 
teeth, and fairly (should I not say foully ?) runs away with me. The 
chances are then about equal, whether I find myself in the position of victor 
or vanquished. Not seldom he dej)osits me in the mire, to extricate myself 
as best I can. At other times, as now, I am fortunate enough to restrain 
his vagaries. So, gently, old- fellow ! No more of this, if you please. 
And now, having regained the causeway, we will endeavor to jog on soberly 
and staidly, to the termination of our journey. Allans ! 
Secondly. We come next to the consideration of those Dahlias which 
were sent out in the spring of 1853. As we have had only two trials of 
these, any opinion that maybe given respecting them must be received with 
a certain amount of reserve. Some of them will doubtless prove as valuable 
as the best of our older acquaintances ; many will be extremely useful, and 
a few may be discarded forthwith. 
Amazon is happily named. A noble, bold flower, very far in advance of 
any of its class. It has been extensively shown, and a prominent feature 
in almost every stand exhibited throughout the season. Beauty of the 
Grove, discarded by many after a single year's probation, has been very 
good. The air of Bermondsey seems particularly favorable to this variety. 
