The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-14 00:00:00

Plower Show at the Crystal Palace.

Despite the variable weather of Saturday, there
were some 14,000 persons at the Crystal Palace to
see the exhibition of flowering plants and fruits.
Its features were, in many respects, those of the
show at the Botanical Gardens during the week ;
but the one at the Palace had the advantage of being
four or five times as large, and presented a grand
mass of magnificent bloom. The show altogether
must be pronounced an exceedingly good one. Mr.
r-r.lraac.aoc, ai,hb tlacusaa in
number and excellence—the mass of variegated
blossom occupying a large portion of the space.
They would have been still better for a sunnier
April ; bat though in some there was a want
of colour, Mr. Turner fairly won the first
prizes for eight greenhouse azaleas, six ditto,
and 12 in pots, not larger than 10 inches. The
collection of six were very tall and beautifully
coloured, the delicate Gledstanesi Formosa being
particularly noticeable. Mr. Turner was successful
for a first prize with six fancy pelargoniums in pots
not larger than 8 in. across, and also for 12 pelar-
goniums ditto. His specimen of the Empress
Eugenie was well deserving its name, as a more
lovely plant could not have been wished for. Once
more the same exhibitor carried off honours for 12
distinct varieties of roses in pots, not larger than
13 inches across, open. The varieties of foliage,
plants in and out of flower, were the finest that
have been exhibited for some time. Mr. Peed took
a first prize for 16 stove and greenhouse plants
(amateurs), which were very good, as also were his
10 specimens (amateurs). Mr. C. Smith joined in
having a first prize (amateur) for the same class,
stove and greenhouse ; while Mr. Rhodes had the
same value prize for the class open to nurserymen ;
and Mr. J. J. C. Lee for the open class, which con-
sisted of fine foliage or variegated plants and plants
in bloom. In class first and second, where the prizes
were taken by Mr. Peel, and the second won by
Mr. Rhodes, two species only or distinct varieties
were admitted—orchids, fuschias, pelargoniums, and
calceolarias being excluded. Orchids, considering
the time of the season, are very good ; the first
prize takers being Mr. R. Bullen, 20 exotic (ama-
teur), Mr. Ball 10 exotic (nurseryman), Mr. Penny,
12 exotic (amateur). In these three classes dupli-
cates were admitted, but preference was given to
those collections which contained the greatest num=
ber of decidedly distinct and ornamental kinds. Mr.
C. Penny likewise took a prize for 6 exotic orchids
(amateurs) distinct species. There was a good col-
lection of rhododendrons in flower by Messrs. Lane
and Son. A variety of new and rare plants was
sent by Messrs. Bull, Chelsea, of great merit and
interest. These were shown in the tropical depart-
ment, and formed one of the most attractive fea-
tures of the day. The other prize-takers were Mr.
Rhodes, Cape Heaths, distinct varieties ; Mr. Peed,
ditto; Mr. J. 'Ward, fancy pelargoniums ; Messrs.
Lane and Son, distinct varieties; Mr. J. Wiggins, dis-
tinct varieties of roses. For twelve distinct varieties of
roses in eight pots (open), Messrs. Turner and Paul
were equal, and both were veryineritorious. Messrs.
Barr and Sugden, Covent-garden, had a stand of
" jem ferns" which are very elegant for a drawing-
room. The lawn and ornamental gardens of Rock-
'hills, the residence of the late Sir Joseph Paxton,
were thrown open. In the front of the house there
is an old tree of Wistaria Sinensis, one of the finest
in the country. At present it is only in partial bloom.
Had the day been finer the stroll in theSe grounds
would have been most enjoyable. The musical per-
formance was given by the orchestral band,
strengthened by those of the Coldstream Guards
and the Ist Life Guards. In the earlier part of the
day they played in different parts of the Palace, but
during the promenade were massed in the Handel
orchestra, and played a charming selection. The
promenade was one of the most brilliant of the
season, bonnets—if they can be so called now--
being marvels of arrangement in lace and flowers.
The scene, as viewed from under the centre transept,
was exceedingly pretty.

ARMENIAN MSS. in the library of Edcimiadzin,
near Mount Ararat, the seat of the Patearch. Amongst
them are some unpublished works of the Fathers, and also
some unpublished fragments of Aristotle and Diodorus
Siculus. Copyists are employed in the library, and these
treasures, hitherto inaccessible, are now thrown open to
scholars.

THE PENALTIES, FINES AND FORFEITURES levied
by the London magistrates during the year which ended
December 31st, 1865, were paid iut9 the Exchequer, and
araowitod to £13,58617A.