THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
SUPPLEMENTARY NUMBER.—MAY 10, 1849. [Price 2d. 
THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S FIRST SHOW (FOR 1849) AT CHISWICK. 
Lf.t the 5th of May, 1849, ever stand marked in our 
calendars and in our memories as a day of treachery ; 
for if ever “ fair was foul, and foul was fair,” it was 
then. We do not know whether it will not require 
some years of contrary experience to convince us that 
no appearances or promises are to be trusted if made 
on that day, or whether we should not append as a 
note to “ swear not by the inconstant moon ,”—“ nor on 
that day of traitory, May the 5th.” 
If ever a morning dawned, or day began its career, 
to tempt fortli fair forms in no other armour to meet 
the elements than silks and laces, Cinderella slippers, 
and sylphid parasols, it was the said May the 5th ;—■ 
thousands were so tempted, and every one that 
yielded to the temptation was betrayed. Hundreds of 
ladies in no other attire than is suited to the brightest 
day of the brightest May tliatjever shone upon merry 
England were gliding around the scarcely more fresh 
and brilliant flowers in the gardens as soon as “ one 
of the clock ” arrived ; and then the evil genius of the 
day scowled forth, summoned up its storm-clouds, and 
for three pitiless hours prevailed in pouring forth with 
lightning and thunder a deluge of rain such as those 
only are conversant with who have seen “the rains” 
come down during a tropical “ nor-wester.” 
But we withdraw our pen from further preliminary 
comment, and give place to the following from one 
who of fervid temperament, and who coming to a 
Chiswick fete as “a feast of novelty,” pencils forth 
with freshness his first impressions: 
“There is something in variety that never fails to 
please. The very constitution of man is such that 
