DECEMBER. 
353 
LOUTS CHAIX. 
[Plate 147.] 
Of the origin of this handsome Rose our excellent corres¬ 
pondent “ S. R. H.” has favoured us with some account at 
page 357, together with the following interesting remarks on 
Roses in general. We have therefore only to add, that it forms 
a valuable ornament to the Rose garden in autumn, and that it 
flowers freely even in a small state. 
ON ROSES IN GENERAL, AND “ LOUIS CHAIX” IN 
PARTICULAR. 
I don’t know what was supposed to be the effect of the Roses which 
used to be hallowed at Rome, on the Sunday called Lcetare Jerusalem, 
such as Pope Pius the Second sent to James II. of Scotland, and 
Sextus V. to the Prince of Parma ; but I do know that it showed an 
amazing confidence on the part of the reverend gentlemen to imagine 
that the queen of flowers could receive improvement at their hands. 
And, furthermore, I feel equally assured that if the individuals to 
whom the bouquets were addressed could not derive more gratification 
from a Rose freshly gathered in their own gardens than from those 
distant specimens, which must have reached them in a most forlorn 
and fady condition, their noses must have been very Roman indeed, 
and their optics woefully in need of rose water. 
Consecrate the Rose! it is consecrated. Look at it in the first 
sunlight of some dewy morn, and say is it not holy and sweet and 
pure, as infant at the font. Consecrate the Rose! as well ask him 
whose skilful hand has painted the sweet portrait of fair “ Louis 
Chaix,” to beautify the Rose itself. 
Well, this magniloquent preface about popes and kings (it is always 
a good plan to begin an article with a flourish of trumpets, because it 
creates a sensation, and gives an idea of importance, like a violent pull 
at the front-door bell, and an energetic demonstration with the knocker) 
only means that we Rose growers gallantly believe in the absolute 
perfection of our royal mistress, and doggedly deny (no pun intended 
upon Rosa canina) that she requires any other benefit of clergy than 
that which she already receives from Anglican rectors, vicars, and 
curates. At the same time we cordially assure both “ Pius IX. ” 
and “ Eveque de Nimes ” that they will always meet in our Rose 
gardens with every possible attention. 
Let us dwell a brief while on the perfections of our favourite, 
taking a caution first of all never to attempt to prove them by com¬ 
paring her with other flowers. Not to mention that her royal supremacy 
is undisputed, we lose half the happiness of floriculture, as of most 
other things, by instituting comparisons. It is always either “ This is 
nothing at all to that,” or, “ Ah, but you should have seen it yester¬ 
day,” or, “I’m told there’s a great improvement,” &c. Oh, my friend^ 
VOL. XI., NO. CXXXII. A A 
