THE FLORAL TELEGRAPH. 55 
of Mr. Southey, and in metaphorical 
books, after the fashion of Dr. Dar¬ 
win’s celebrated Epic.” 
“ A faded nettle for your hexa¬ 
meters,” said the lady, turning up 
her very pretty nose. “ If you can 
acquit yourself but tolerably in plain 
prose, in conveying to the world 
what I impart to you, and which is 
so necessary, at least to the female 
division of it, think yourself a very 
exalted old gentleman.” 
