Черный тюльпан
The Hatred of a Tulip-fancier
Hebesidesfoundtracesofthecats,theirfootmarksandhairsleftbehindonthebattle-field;toguard,therefore,infutureagainstasimilaroutrage,hegaveordersthathenceforthoneoftheundergardenersshouldsleepinthegardeninasentry-boxneartheflower-beds.
Boxtelheardhimgivetheorder,andsawthesentry-boxputupthatveryday;buthedeemedhimselfluckyinnothavingbeensuspected,and,beingmorethaneverincensedagainstthesuccessfulhorticulturist,heresolvedtobidehistime.
JustthentheTulipSocietyofHaarlemofferedaprizeforthediscovery(wedarenotsaythemanufacture)ofalargeblacktulipwithoutaspotofcolour,athingwhichhadnotyetbeenaccomplished,andwasconsideredimpossible,asatthattimetheredidnotexistaflowerofthatspeciesapproachingeventoadarknutbrown.Itwas,therefore,generallysaidthatthefoundersoftheprizemightjustaswellhaveofferedtwomillionsasahundredthousandguilders,sincenoonewouldbeabletogainit.
Thetulip-growingworld,however,wasthrownbyitintoastateofmostactivecommotion.Somefancierscaughtattheideawithoutbelievingitpracticable,butsuchisthepowerofimaginationamongflorists,thatalthoughconsideringtheundertakingascertaintofail,alltheirthoughtswereengrossedbythatgreatblacktulip,whichwaslookedupontobeaschimericalastheblackswanofHoraceorthewhiteravenofFrenchtradition.
VanBaerlewasoneofthetulip-growerswhowerestruckwiththeidea;Boxtelthoughtofitinthelightofaspeculation.
