rmous expense. The Buttercups and
Dandelions waited on the lawn in full yellow liveries, and the Daisies,
dressed neatly in a uniform of white with yellow ornaments, were as
female servants to give the refreshments to the waiters, and the
Foxgloves in red uniforms presided over the whole. The Trumpet Flowers
were numerous; indeed, there was no other music, and there was no
regular dancing, though many pretty groups dispersed about.

The crowd was very great, and the company did not leave the lawn till
late, many of them exceedingly fatigued, and drooping with their
exertions, and poor Mrs. Poppy was so much inclined to sleep as to
distress the Misses Larkspur and Lupin that came with her, and Sir
Laurus Tinus got much squeezed in getting the Marchioness Magnolia, a
most charming creature, and the Miss Phillyreas away, and Lady Cistus
left all her petals behind her.

Admiral Flag and Lady Peony were detained much longer than they wished
in settling a dispute that had nearly ended in a challenge between
Captain Waterdock and Colonel Jasmine about the antiquities of their
families, which had so seriously terrified Lady Azorian Jasmine that she
would have fainted but for the tender attention of Mrs. Lavender. The
Colonel was certainly wrong, as the Water-docks are well known to be a
very ancient family in Great Britain. It is much to be regretted that
there is so often such a mistaken idea of courage even amongst the most
respectable orders, abounding with the truest honour, and noblest
spirit, as to cause duels on the most trifling subjects, thus involving
their families in distress and themselves in the greatest misery.

There was waiting on the outside of the lawn at Mrs. Rose's many of the
Umbellate tribe, that in case sun or rain should be too powerful their
Umbels might be useful, and, indeed, many other plants were mixed among
them. Mrs. Mignonette, the milliner, a sweet little creature, was there
to learn fashions; she had brought with her one of her favourites,
Venus's Looking-glass, whom she found of great service in her shop. The
Nettles, Thistles, and Furze were very troublesome. The Thrifts were
also on the outside, as Mrs. Rose and they were totally unacquainted,
but she had given great offence to many whom she had neglected that she
very well knew, some even intimately, and the Misses Crocus, Violet,
Jonquil, and Mrs. Almond she did not ask, because their beauty was gone
by. She had also her disappointments