SUCCESS! 147

“*The Annual Flower-show at the Horti-
cultural Gardens, M-——, took place yester-
day, and was honoured by a large and
fashionable attendance of all the nobility
and gentry around, &c &c.,’”” said Father.
“Tl leave you to read all that for your-
selves after; this is the paragraph which
chiefly concerns me.

““*Amongst the best specimens were some
unusually fine roses, the respective properties
of Charles Erickson, Esq., of the Oaks, and
Edward Monckton, Esq., of the Manor House.
The blossoms of each were so especially
beautiful that it appeared somewhat difficult
to decide in preference of either; we hear,
however, that the first prize will be awarded
to Mr. Erickson, on account of the difficulties
generally encountered in rearing the
rose (a deep damask), which is comparatively

29)

 

rare in these parts.

Jack gives me such a kick under the table
that I drop my cup, which I was just about
to carry to my lips, with a mighty crash, most
of the contents going splash into Gip’s plate.