The Express.
London, England, 1859-05-26 00:00:00

TSB BOW BOTANICAL 80CIIITT.

The first flower show this season of the Royal
Beraeical Society took place yesterday in the pleasant en-
closers of the Regent's-park. Dependent as the success of
these occasions meet always be on the precarious conditions
of our Eoglish atmosphere, it is quite a matter of prologue
to lay that the weather yesterday wee as fine es could be
wished, and that the fact of the wind having been in
the east all the afternoon could not have keen dis-
covered empirically, and will cnly be known some
time to-day by neuralgia. The sky was clondleas,
the shaded turf Melting, and the breeze, albeit due east, no
cooler than agreeable. In the memory of the oldest ex-
hibitor there has not bees so fins a show for geraniums; and
in other features the exhibitioa was highly satisfactory. An
males of gigantic size and perfect symmetry showed one mass
of blossom, like a single flower. The pelargoniums deserved
the name bestowed on one variety, which crowed a central
group, that is to my, the name " Magnificent." The perfect
fitness of this title reminded us that Mr. Leigh Hunt
once praised the title " Kirk's Admirable," given to a
prize apple of wonderful gram and beauty. The heaths, too,
were as fine as any we have ever seen, and " the woman of
the dowers"—the rose—was Torment, d by every graceful
member of that wanly tribe. Some specimens, indeed,
were a little faded, a eissesestaace which rather helped to
complete the poetical analogy we have ventured to meal,
The grounds presented ell the septet of a fag. From the
large greenhouse down almost to the ornamental little lake,
the paths and turf were thrthged. The rustling of silk
was like the noise of tried ; the slow motion of
the crowd was like that of a field of flowers gently
swaying to and fro. Someithies amid the light colours which
prevailed, in accordance with notional taste, modified by
the molar haat. • dash of oriental flames weld mese out, se
when the crowd opened to admit the Femme of Prinos
Ghcdass Mahomed, his son, and their suite. The three
military bandy, which played by terns till 7 o'clock, Imputed
additional spirit to the assembly. The universal expenders
was one of enjoyment ; if we may except the pitiable cases
of • few over-dressed children, to whom much flowers end
Sooner were a weariness of the flesh, and who, being in the
way, evidently wished themselves out of It.
The total 'sloe of prises amounted to some 5001. The
extra gold medals were awarded severally to Mr. G. Dodds,
gardener to Sir J. Cathcart, of Cooper's-till, for sixteen
stove and greenhouse pleats; sad to Mr. Edney,
gardener to the Rev. W. Ellis, of Hodthedon, for
twisty exotic orchids, Mr. J. Whitbread, of Dartford,
and Mr. Hellen, of Woolwich, gained the two large gold
restathe ; the first for stove and 'methane plants, and the
mend for orchids. Mr. Peed, of Norwood ; Mr. Catboat,
of Bernet; Mr. May, of Stafford ; Messrs. leery, of Dorking ;
Mr. Carson, of Nonsuch-park; Mr. S. Woolly, of Ches..
bent ; Mr. D,.dde (the holder of the that extra gold medal);
end Mr. A. Paul, of Cheehunt, were the gathers of the
medium gold medals. Several of thesis names appeared ale°
in the list of successful competitors for the gold, Inge cher
gilt, and silver medals.
The company present included the Duchess of Marl-
borough, the Duchess of Manchester, Earls Hardwicke and
Vane, Viscount Serene*, Marquis of Baltic, Marchioness
of Aylesbury, Countess of Kinuoul,' Countess of Bradford,
Countess of Chesterfield, Countess de TUTS Diaz, the Km-
aims, Au-trian, Swedish, and Brsziliaa Ambamadors ; Baron
Brusnow, Lady Pm:mare, Lady Willoughby de Broke, Lady
Deere, Ledy Campbell, the Comte de Paris, and many
fashionable cekbnfes beside,.