The Marechal Nicl Rose.

Otago Witness, Issue 2179, 28 November 1895, Page 8

The Marechal Nicl Rose.

There is a pretty story told about the nam- ,, ing of the Marechal Niel rose. When the 3 famous General Niel, of the Franco-Austrian 3 war, returning from the scene of his many ! victories, passed through a certain small town, \ oiiß of the peasant women of the place presented to him a basket of beaut itul yellow i ro£G3. One of the flowers still clung to a pory tion of the root, and Niel, enamoured of the flower, transplanted ifc in his garden in Paris. It thrived in its new soil, and, when a large 1 busb, covered with blossoms, he offered il as a c gift to the Empress Eugenic. She w»s greatly y pleased with the flower, and, on inquiry, found „ it had no name. She smiled at the general L significantly, and said, " Then I will bs the one j. to give it a tame," and added graciously, "I v will christen it the ' Marechal Niel : "; mil at r the s».tne moment she bestowed upon the man t the jewelkd emblem which rt-vealed to him his c promotion mv! gave him the title of marshal of r t ltouce.