22 THE FLORIST AND ^ 
her first " coming out." Barmaid has forsaken the bar (of public opinion). 
True to her vocation, she is, possibly, searching among cobwebs for old Bees- 
wing, now less frequently on the table than in byegone days. Duke of 
Wellington, like the hero whose name it bears, sustains campaign after 
campaign, and still comes forth victorious. Essex Triumph is still " to the 
fore," and when compelled to give place to more youthful competitors will 
retire full of years and honors. Fearless ! though still retainest thy bold, 
undaunted aspect ; yet mayest though well beware ! Remember Samson 
and Dalilah, and tremble despite thy strength ! George Glenny is generally 
considered to be too coarse for the present refined taste ; but we must not 
permit this defect to render us blind to other and better qualities. George 
Villiers has scarcely proved himself to be so great a personage as he was 
formerly deemed to be. What has happened to General Faucher ? He 
has been abroad but little of late, and when he has appeared, his best 
friends barelyable to recognize him, have wished, for his own sake, he had 
remained at home. The absence of the Hon. Mr. Herbert may be excused, 
the Emperor of all the Bussias (like a tyrant as he is) having confined him 
closely to his office. Notwithstanding that his presence is always acceptable to 
every staunch florist, John Edward has been seen but occasionally, and 
then for the most part in the back-ground. The beauty of Louisa Glenny 
is of the order termed by our good friends the French, petite ; nevertheless, 
we should have rejoiced to have seen her delicate features more frequently. 
That beAvitching little brunette Miss Spears continues as captivating as ever. 
Model, with one solitary exception, has proved a misnomer. Morning Star, 
with all its brightness, appears to be verging towards an eclipse. Mr. 
Seldon has been as ubiquitous as ever, but we regret to say he has appeared 
a little out of sorts. We trust his ailment is merely temporary. In all his 
peregrinations he was accompanied, as usual, by his better half, who, we are 
happy to say, is as attractive as ever. No lady of our acquaintance is more 
universally and more justly admired than Mrs. Seldon. Privateer was seen 
once or twice, going to windward under easy sail — "letters of marque" 
being out of vogue at this juncture. The temporary abdication of the Queen 
of Lilacs was regretted by most of her subjects; her re-appearance, in full 
regal splendor, in the suburbs, on a late occasion — where she underwent the 
ceremony of -re-coronation — was highly gratifying. Queen of Whites is 
scarcely so popular as formerly ; nay, it is even whispered that her reign 
i^jay prove ephemeral. The good knight Red Gauntlet is as staunch and 
stalwart as ever ; there is stuff of the right sort in him yet, though detrac- 
tors are apt to remark, there is scarcely enough of it. The comparative 
