DECEMBER. 
263 
ments, preparatory to the incoming of the civic cavalcade, for the Show was 
to be opened in state by the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of the City. The mist 
had congregated within, and hung about in sable-looking folds up in the roof 
of the Hall, making it necessary that the gas should be lit up, which had the 
effect of bringing out more distinctly the dull colours of the Chrysanthemums. 
Along the walls of the ancient “ Hall of Guild ” were seen the decorations that 
gave life to the recent banquet on Lord Mayor’s day, and the statuary, recently 
cleansed and redecorated, stood out distinctly from among the trappings that 
surrounded them. At the lower end of the Hall, stood, on their accustomed 
pedestals, the two great giants—Gog and Magog, newly bedizened by the 
hand of the artist—keeping watch and ward over the scenes of their ancient 
renown. What a contrast between these fierce-looking yet inanimate worthies, 
and the humanising picture spread beneath them ! 
The Judges of the Chrysanthemums—and worthy men they are—Messrs. 
G. Smith, D. Monk, and Bloxom, had just commenced their task. I found 
they had placed Mr. James, of Stoke Newington, first, with six blooms of 
large-flowering Chrysanthemums, sent out in 1865, who had the following 
varieties remarkably fine: Prince of Wales, Mrs. Kaines, delicate flesh, with 
lemon centre, a very fine incurved flower ; Lady Carey, Venus, Sam Weller, 
and Mr. Brunlees. Mr. A. Forsyth was second, with fine blooms of Golden 
Ball, Eve, Venus, King of Denmark, Sam Weller, and Golden Dr. Brock. 
Mr. James was also first with six blooms of 1864, having splendid flowers 
of Empress of India, Prince Alfred, Princess of Wales, Robert James, Lady 
Slade, and the Rev. J. Dix. This was the only stand of flowers exhibited in 
this class. 
With six cut blooms of any year Mr. Morgan, of Plymouth, was first with 
wonderful specimens of Princess of Wales, General Slade, Prince of Wales, 
Venus, remarkably fine; Prince Alfred, and Golden Dr. Brock. In other 
stands in this class were splendid flowers of Beauty, Beverley, Antonelli, 
Golden Eagle, Dr. Brock, very fine; White Globe, very fine; Lady Hard¬ 
ing, Empress of India, White Queen of England, General Bainbrigge, Jardin 
des Plantes, splendid yellow; and Antigone. With twelve blooms Mr. 
Morgan was again first, having very fine flowers of Nil Desperandum, Princess 
of Wales, General Slade, Cherub, Beauty, Rev. J. Dix, Prince Alfred, Prince 
of Wales, Oliver Cromwell, Robert James, Venus, and Duchess of Wellington. 
Looking over the other stands I noticed excellent examples of Abbe Passaglia, 
Empress of India, General Harding, Plutus, Lady St. Clair, fine pure white; 
Orange Perfection, Mr. Brunlees, Rifleman, Pio Nono, Duchess of Wellington, 
and Sir Stafford Carey. 
With thirty-six blooms Mr. A. Forsyth was placed first, having the follow¬ 
ing flowers selected from it very fine : Dr. Maclean, Jardin des Plantes, Venus, 
Nonpareil, Plutus, Beverley, Anaxo, Cherub, Hercules, Eve, General Slade, 
Lucidum, Mrs. Haliburton, and Princess of Wales. This was the only stand of 
thirty-six blooms in this class. Of plants of the large-flowering kinds, there 
were capital specimens of Vesta, Jewess, Alma, Insigne, Annie Salter, Golden 
Christine, Defiance, Prince Albert, Christine, Little Harry, and Beaute du 
Nord. These were nice dwarf bushy plants, with good heads of bloom. Some 
excellent plants, grown as standards, of both large-flowering and Pompon 
kinds, were dotted about here and there amid the groups of dwarfer plants, 
and had a very pleasing effect. 
A large number of Anemone-flowered kinds were produced, the best being 
Antonius, Mr. Astie, Madame Chalonge, Astrea, Rose Marguerite, Jeanne 
Hachette, Madame Montels, Regulus, Gluck, Empress, Margaret, George Sands, 
Louis Bonamy, Fleur de Marie, Prince of Anemones, and Mrs. Pethers. I 
