a/^.A ^A^c-t^JAc < / t-*. £/r -£'. c Xj~ ■:. / ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. Oh ! gaily in life’s morning bright. Love speeds the rosy hours, Illumes each scene with smiling light, And strews each spot with flowers. Around his shrine young Hope and Joy Their fairest gifts impart; Nor douhts can chill nor fears destroy The sunshine of the heart. Those flowers will droop, those beams must wane, V But, when their glories cease, A softer spell will still remain, To soothe the soul to peace. For then shall friendship’s tranquil rays A hallowed charm impart, And cast o’er life’s declining days A ll joyfulness of heart. From the “ Fobget-me-not.” THE HAW T H 0 It N. Botanical Name, Cratcegus oxyacantha. —Class, Icosan- dria. — Order, Pentagynia. — Flowers, white, rose- coloured in some varieties .—Native 'place, Europe. Smtiment. HOPE. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The altar of Hymen was always illuminated by torches of Hawthorn, as a symbol of pre¬ sent happiness and future hope. The youth¬ ful Athenian maidens carried branches of Hawthorn at the weddings of their com¬ panions with a similar idea. But Hope ex¬ tends beyond the grave ; and the Troglodites covered the bodies of their dead relatives with the Hawthorn, and then, with some- 90 THE HAWTHORN. thing like happiness, consigned them to the grave, with this symbol of their hope and be¬ lief that it was but the portal through which all entered into an existence which should know neither sorrow nor night;—a portal through which they themselves should pass and rejoin them, never to separate. We are not, however, wholly dependent upon the ancients for their wedding Hope and the Hawthorn ; for does not its fair blossoms tell us “ sweet spring has come, and has gone, and introduced summerand the reign of storms, and the nipping blast of the hoar¬ frost is past, the buds and blossoms will not now be destroyed, and a vigorous hope is now in the ascendant; the fruits of the earth, which are now promised, will probably be realized; Hope is now triumphant, unaided by that intoxication which shuts his eyes to difficulties, but, under the guidance of rea¬ son, who alas ! is too seldom his companion. The Hawthorn bloom is, then, a most appro¬ priate emblem to express the sentiment. THE HAWTHORN. 91 ILLUSTRATION OP THE SENTIMENT. When by my solitary hearth I sit, And hateful thoughts enwrap my soul in gloom; When no fair dreams before my “ mind’s eye ” flit, And the hare heath of life presents no bloom— Sweet Hope! ethereal halm upon me shed. And wave thy silver pinions o’er my head. Whene’er I wander, at the fall of night. Where woven houghs shut out the moon’s bright ray, Should sad despondency my musing fright, And frown to drive fair cheerfulness away, Peep with the moonbeams through the leafy roof. And keep that fiend Despondence far aloof. Should Disappointment, parent of Despair, Strive for her son to seize my careless heart. When, like a cloud, he sits upon the air, Preparing on his spell-bound prey to dart. Chase him away, sweet Hope, with visage bright, And fright him as the morning frightens night! Whene’er the fate of those I hold most dear Tells to my fearful breast a tale of sorrow, O, bright-eyed Hope, my morbid fancy cheer— Let me awhile thy sweetest comforts borrow— Thy heaven-born radiance round me shed, And wave thy silver pinions o’er my head! 92 THE HAWTHORN. Should e’er unhappy love my bosom pain, From cruel parents, or relentless fair, O, let me think it is not quite in vain, To sigh out sonnets to the midnight air! Sweet Hope ! ethereal balm upon me shed, And wave thy silver pinions o’er my head! Keats. \ THE PASSION-FLOWER, Botanical Name, Passiflora cerulea. —Class, Monadel- phia. —Order, Pentandria. — Flowers, red, pale blue, yellow, and many-coloured .—Native place, Brazil. Sentiment. KELIGTOUS EEKVOUK. - 0 - ORIGIN OP THE SENTIMENT. The imagination of some persons can discern in this flower not only the Cross, but the various instruments used in the crucifixion of our Saviour; hence the cause of its being associated with the idea of religious fervour. 94 THE PASSION-FLOWER. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. All-beauteous flower! whose centre glows With studs of gold; thence, streaming, flows Itay-like effulgence; next is seen A rich expanse of varying hue, Enfringed with an empurpled blue, And streak’d with young Pomona’s green. High o’er the pointal, deck’d with gold, (Emblem mysterious to behold !) A radiant cross its form expands; It’s op’ning arms appear t’ embrace The whole collective human race— Refuge of all men, in all lands! \ THE SNOWDROP. Botanical Name, Galanthus nivalis. —Class, Hexandria. —Order, Monogynia. — Flowers, pure white .—Native place, Europe. Sentiment. CONSOLATION. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. A child of winter, this sweet flower rises from its snowy bed to tell us spring is coming; and that, though the song of birds is all but mute, though the sun himself seems clouded with sorrow, and veils his brilliancy, though the hoar-frost displays his mantle all around, yet the herald of the spring comes to offer you consolation, in the absence of spring flowers, and to show you that no 96 THE SNOWDROP. circumstances are so dark as to be unsuscep¬ tible of relief. ILLUSTRATION OP THE SENTIMENT. A thousand bright flowers shall gladden the earth, When summer comes forth in her beauty and mirth; Yet none more delightful imaginings bring, Than those that are first in our pathway to spring. Undaunted thou comest, mid snow and mid sleet, Prom earth’s sheltering bosom, thy winter’s retreat; Thou comest, the herald of pleasures to be. Of the scent of the rosebud, the hum of the bee. Thou art not of those who delight in the rays, The sunny resplendence of summer’s glad days ; Nor of those who look up to the bright sides of June, Yet fold up their beauty beneath the mild moon ! Of such art not thou ; no, an emblem more dear, Of the friend that is kindest when sorrow is near; The storm doth not crush thee, the rain doth not blight; And thou pointest, like hope, to a season more bright. M. THE DAFFODIL. Botanical Name, Narcissus pseudo-narcissus. —Class, Hexandria .—Order Monogynia. — Flowers, yellow.— Native place, England. .Sentiment. EEGRET. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The Daffodil opens its bloom in the stormy month of March, and, as if terrified at its blustering birthday, completes its growth and hastens away, teaching us the moral lesson, that early maturity generally prognosticates early death, and leaving us to regret that quickly matured beauty is always the com¬ panion of premature decay. K 98 THE DAFFODIL. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. Fair Daffodils, we weep to see Ye haste away so soon; As yet the early rising sun Has not attain’d his noon : Stay, stay,. Until the hastening day Has run But to the even-song; And, having pray’d together, we Will go with ye along. We have short time to stay, as ye; We have as fleet a spring; As quick a growth to meet decay. As ye, or anything. We die. As your hours do, and dry Away, Like to the summer’s rain; Or, as the pearls of morning dew. Ne’er to he found again. Herrick. THE COWSLIP. Botanical Name, Primula veris. —Class, Pentandria.-— Order, Monoggnia. — Flowers, yellow .—Native place, Britain. Sentiment. WINNING GEACE. . ORIGIN OB THE SENTIMENT.. Few but the real lovers of nature are aware of the exquisite finish which characterises this pretty simple flower. It is so common, and in so much profusion in many of the meadows of England, that it is more gener¬ ally noticed as the medium of Cowslip wine, than from the perfection of its form and its exquisite grace ; this has, however, attached 100 THE COWSLIP. to it the sentiment to which we have con¬ nected the flower. ILLUSTRATION OP THE SENTIMENT Now, in my walk, with sweet surprise, I see the first spring Cowslip rise. The plant whose pensile flowers Bend to the earth their beauteous eyes, In sunshine and in showers. Low on a mossy bank it grew, Where lichens, purple, red and blue, Among the verdure crept; Its yellow ringlets, dropping dew, The breezes lightly swept. A bee had nestled on its bloom, He shook abroad the rich perfume, Then fled in airy rings; His place a butterfly assumes, Glancing his glorious wings. “ Oh ! welcome! as a friend!” I cried, A friend through many a season tried, And never sought in vain, When May, with Flora by her side. Is dancing on the plain. THE COWSLIP. 101 Shelter’d by Nature’s graceful hand, Iu briery glens o’er pasture laird, The fairy tribe we meet ; Gay in the milkmaid’s path they stand. They kiss her tripping feet. From winter’s farm-yard, bondage-freed, The cattle, hounding o’er the mead. Where green the herbage grows, Among thy fragrant blossoms feed, Upon thy tufts repose. Tossing his forelock o’er his mane, The foal, at rest upon the plain. Sports with thy flexile stalk ; Yet stcops his little neck in vain. To crop it in his walk. Where thick thy primrose blossoms play, Lovely and innocent as they, O’er coppice, lawns and dells, In hands the village children stray To pluck thy honied hells ; Whose simple sweets, with curious skill, The frugal cottage dames distil, Nor envy France the vine,— While many a festal cup they fill Of Britain’s homely wine. K 2 102 THE COWSLIP. Perhaps, from Nature’s earliest May, Imperishable ’midst decay, Thy self-renewing race Have breathed their balmy lives away In this neglected place. And oh! till Nature’s final doom. Here, unmolested, may they bloom. From scythe and plough secure — This bank their cradle and their tomb— While earth and skies endure! J. Montgomery. \ THE VARIEGATED TULIP. -O- Botanical Name, Tulipa Gesneriana. —Class, Hexan- dria. —Order, Monogynia .— Flowers, striped or varie¬ gated .—Native place, Levant. Sentiment. BEAUTIFUL EYES. -o- ORIGIN OP THE SENTIMENT. The Tulip is one of the emblems by which the passion of love is expressed to its object; with this association it required but little imagination to conceive the idea that the Variegated Tulip might be an appropriate emblem of beautiful eyes. “ Tulips, with every colour that shines In the radiant gems of Serendib’s mines.” 104 THE VARIEGATED TULIP. Beautiful eyes are scarcely less diversified, and certainly admit of even a greater variety of expression. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. Beautiful eyes! beautiful eyes! Tell us wherein your witchery lies ! The brilliant flash, Through the silken lash, That lightens on purpose our hearts to surprise. Is it here, is it here that your witchery lies? No ! no! It cannot be so ! ’Tis not the glance, Which tries to entrance. That makes ye so beautiful, beautiful eyes. Beautiful eyes ! beautiful eyes ! List, while I tell where your witchery lies ! When a tear on the lash Gently tempers the flash, And the soul leaves the heart to peep out at the eyes, ’Tis here, ’tis here that your witchery lies. Yes! yes! Though its fire be less, One beam of that light. So gentle, so bright, And, oh! we adore ye, beautiful eyes! THE SWEET WILLIAM. -o- Botanical Name, Dianthus barbatus . —Class, Decan- dria. —Order, Dygynia. — Flowers, of many colours.— Native ‘place, Germany, naturalised in other parts of Europe and America. Smliment. A SMILE. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The exact origin of the connection between the plant and the sentiment we have not been able to trace ; it is well known that the flowers will be found, upon examination, to be of the most exquisite finish and delicacy- in all their parts ; giving, therefore, the more pleasure as they are closely examined. The points of association, therefore, appear to be 106 THE SWEET WILLIAM. the pleasure they each afford to the specta¬ tor, and the fact of the pleasure arising in proportion to the delicacy of development; for it must be allowed that, although the smile of a beautiful woman will impart plea¬ sure, the broad grin of a vulgar man can only produce ludicrous ideas. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. What vision has the warrior seen, Ere on the foe he dashes, Which curbs a time his daring mien, And tames his bright eyes’ flashes ? What thoughts have raised the student’s eyes From off the classic page, Where many a pearl of knowledge lies. Bequeath’d by hard or sage ? What forms the poet’s sweetest dream, His fond, his best desire, Affording still a faithful theme For converse with his lyre ? THE SWEET WILLIAM. 107 And what the peasant’s rest can bless Through long and toilsome hours, And bid him dream of happiness When fate so darkly lowers ? ’Tis thoughts of woman’s holy love, Her smiles of joy and gladness ; Coming, with pinions of a dove. To soothe his soul from sadness. To bid him feel that, e’en on earth, Where clashing interests meet. For him, with love of holiest birth. One gentle heart can heat. And, though his future lot should be With darker clouds o’ercast, Her holy love and constancy Unchangingly will last. But if posterity’s bright gleam His path of life should cheer, Thrice deeper will each pleasure seem With that beloved one near. B. THE CARNATION. Botanical Name, Dianthus caryophyllus. — Class, Decandria. — Order, Dygynia. — Flowers, variously coloured .—Native 'place, England. Sentiment. PUEE LOVE. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The petals of the Carnation have by high cultivation become doubled; its colours, as above observed, are various, presenting some¬ times the most beautiful combinations, at others, the richest single colours, sometimes striped like the tiger, sometimes marbled, at others assuming the appearance of what is denominated piebald, and at others it is a dark red, or a pure white; but cultivation THE CARNATION. 109 lias produced this magnificence and variety of costume, and the flower continually dis¬ plays a tendency to return to its original simplicity; like pure love, it constantly turns towards, and is ever attached to, the object of its first and only adoration, however cir¬ cumstances may compel an apparent de¬ parture from or relinquishment thereof; thus has this flower become an emblem of the truth it so singularly displays. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. On ! let me only breathe the air, The blessed air, that’s breathed by thee, And, whether on its wings it bear Healing or death, ’tis sweet to me. There, drink my tears, while yet they fall ; Would that my bosom’s blood were balm ; And well thou know’st I'd shed it all, To give thy brow one minute’s calm. Nay, turn not from me that dear face,— Am I not thine, thy own loved bride ? The one, the chosen one, whose place. In life or death, is by thy side! L 110 THE CARNATION. Think’st thou that she, whose only light, In this dim world, from thee hath shone, Could hear the long, the cheerless night, That must be hers, when thou art gone ? That I can live, and let thee go, Who art my life itself ? no, no ; When the stem dies, the leaf that grew Out of its heart must perish too. Then turn to me, my own love, turn. Before, like thee, I fade and burn; Cling to these yet cool lips, and share The last pure life that lingers there. Moore’s “ L alia Rook it.” THE FORGET-ME-NOT. Botanical Name, Myosotis scorpioides. —Class, Pent an- dria. —Order, Monogynia. — Flowers , blue. — Native place, Europe. Sentiment. TEUE LOVE. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The name at once shows the origin. Love may be destroyed, but the object of really true love can never be forgotten. We may even cease to respect without ceasing to love; that is, there may be qualities in an object that we cannot respect, while it still retains many that we cannot cease to love. 112 THE FORGET-ME-NOT. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. Where flows the fountain silently, It blooms a lovely flower. Blue as the beauty of the sky, It speaks like kind fidelity, Through fortune’s sun and shower. Forget-me-not. ’Tis like thy starry eyes, more bright Than evening’s proudest star ; Like purity’s own halo bright. It seems to smile upon thy sight. And says to thee from far, Forget-me-not. Each dew-drop on its morning leaves Is eloquent as tears. That whisper, when young passion grieves For one beloved afar, and weaves His dream of hopes and fears. Forget-me-not. THE MONTHLY ROSE. Botanical Name, Rosa Damascena. —Class, Icosandria. —Order, Polygynia. — Flowers, pale blush .—Native place, the Levant. Sentiment. FOE EYEE FAIE. ORIGIN OP THE SENTIMENT. The idea is evidently derived from this rose blooming all the year; the promise of spring, the sunshine of summer, autumn, “ season of mists and yellow fruitfulness,” even stern winter’s self, are all gladdened by the flower¬ ing of the monthly “ Rose * for ever fair.’ ” L 2 114 THE MONTHLY HOSE. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. The soft blooms of summer are faint to the eye, Where brightly the gay silver Medway glides by; And rich are the colours which autumn adorn, Its gold-chequer’d leaves, and its billows of corn; But dearest to me is the pale lonely Rose, Whose blossoms in winter’s dark season unclose, Which smile in the rigour of winter’s stern blast. And smooth the rough present by sighs of the past. And thus, when around us affliction’s dark power Eclipses the sunshine of life’s flowing hour. While, drooping, deserted, in sorrow we bend, Oh ! sweet is the presence of one faithful friend. The crowds that smiled on us, when gladness was ours, Are summer’s bright blossoms which autumn devours; But the friend on whose breast we in sorrow repose. That friend is thy monthly bloom, ever fair Rose. M. THE MIGNONETTE. O' Botanical Name, Reseda odorata. —Class, Dodecandria. —Order, Trigynia. — Flowers, pale yellow, sometimes inclining to white .—Native place, Egypt. Sentiment. YOUR QUALITIES SURPASS YOUR CHARMS. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. \ — The exquisite perfume of this simple flower, so far surpassing the promise of its appear¬ ance, renders it a beautiful emblem of mental qualities surpassing personal gracefulness. 116 THE MIGNONETTE. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. I WOULD that thou might’st ever he As beautiful as now ; That time might ever leave as free Thy yet unwritten brow. I would life were all poetry, To gentle measures set, That nought but chasten’d melody Might dim thine eye of jet. I fear thy gentle loveliness, Thy witching tone and air, And thine eyes’ beseeching earnestness, May be to thee a snare ; For silver stars may purely shine, The waters taintless flow, But they who kneel at woman’s shrine Breathe on it as they bow. Ye may fling back the gift again, But the crush’d flower will leave a stain. Willis. t THE SWEET BAY. Botanical Name, Laurus nobilis. —Class, Enneandria. —Order, Monogynia. — Flowers, yellow .—Native place, Italy. Sentiment. I CHANGE BUT IN DYING. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The Bay tree is an evergreen, the leaves never losing their verdure but in dying; consequently, it furnishes a fit emblem of unchanging affection. 118 THE SWEET BAY. ILLUSTRATION OE THE SENTIMENT. In bower and garden rich and rare. There’s many a cherish’d flower, Whose heauty fades, whose fragrance flits Within the flitting hour; Not so the simple forest leaf, Unprized, unnoticed, lying The same through all its little life, It changes hut in dying. Be such, and only such, my friends. Once mine, and mine for ever ■, And here’s a hand to clasp in theirs. That shall desert them never. And thou be such, my gentle love, Time, chance, the world defying ; And take, ’tis all I have, a heart That changes hut in dying. Doane. Botanical Name, Buxus sempervirens. —Class, Moncecia. —Order, Tetrandria. — Flowers, yellowish green.— Na¬ tive place, Europe, America. Sentiment. STOICISM. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. This plant is neither changed by cold nor heat ; it is said to prefer the shade, hut lives in sunshine, unimpressed by either; thus it lives on, with unimpaired verdure, apparently not affected by storm or sun, to a great age. 120 THE BOX TREE. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. A slumber did my spirit seal; I had no human fears; She seem’d a thing that could not feel The touch of earthly years. No motion had she now, no force; She neither hears nor sees; Roll’d round in earth’s diurnal course. With rocks, and stones, and trees. Wordsworth. T HE B R 0 0 M. Botanical Name, Spartium junceum. —Class, JDiaclel- phia. —Order, Decandria. — Flowers, yellow .—Native place, Europe. Sentiment. A E D 0 U B. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. This idea was united to the Broom, from the fact that, when in full bloom, the glow¬ ing of its intensely bright yellow flowers re¬ minds one involuntarily of warmth of feeling. This has, therefore, originated the idea of likening it to the ardour of passion, that is, the ardour of love. M 122 THE BROOM. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. Oh ! there are looks and tones that dart An instant sunshine to the heart, As if the soul that minute caught Some treasure it through life had sought. As if the very lips and eyes Predestined to have all our sighs, And never he forgot again. Sparkled and spoke before as then. So came thy every glance and tone When first on me they breathed and shone; New, as if brought from other spheres. Yet welcomed as if loved for years. Then fly with me, if thou hast known No other flame, nor falsely thrown A gem away, that thou hadst sworn Shouldst ever in thy heart be worn. Come, if the love thou hast for me Is pure and fresh as mine for thee ; Fresh as the fountain under ground. When first ’tis by the lapwing found. Moore’s “Lalla Rookh.” THE BUTTERCUP, OR KINGCUP. - o - Botanical Name, Ranunculus lulbosus. —Class, Poly- andria. —Order, Polygynia. — Flowers , yellow.— Native place, Europe. Sentiment. EICHES. ORIGIN OE THE SENTIMENT. The appearance of this flower has given rise to a tradition, that it will foretell future wealth to him upon whom it reflects a vivid hue, upon the flower being held near to the countenance. To this Southey alludes, when he says— “Bright flowering kingcups promise future wealth.’ 124 THE BUTTERCUP, OR KINGCUP. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. O, knew I the spell of gold, I would never poison a fresh young heart With the taint of customs old. I would hind no wreath to my forehead free, In whose shadow a thought might die. Nor drink from the cup of revelry The ruin my gold would buy. But I’d break the fetters of care-worn things. And be spirit and fancy free; My mind should go up where it longs to go. And the limitless wind outflee. I’d climb to the eyries of eagle view, Till the stars become a scroll; And pour right on, like the even sea, In the strength of a govern’d soul. Willis. THE YELLOW LILY. Botanical Name, Lilium bulbiferum. —Class, Hexan- dria. —Order, Monogynia. — Floivers, yellow.— Native 'place, Italy. Sentiment. COQUETKY. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. We cannot have a better authority for adopt¬ ing any sentiment than that of our old poets, those great observers and lovers of Nature ; who, indeed, seemed to obtain from her all the inspiration and information which many moderns appear to derive from deep study and great effort, rather than from the inspi¬ rations of genius, prompted by its great m 2 126 THE YELLOW LILY. schoolmistress, Dame Nature; thus their productions, like the eloquence of a great ancient orator, “ smell of the lamp,” but, unlike his productions, have none of their vigour and spirit. Herrick, the great poet of Nature, is our present authority, with whose melody we shall illustrate the idea. ILLUSTRATION OP THE SENTIMENT. As now the sparkling air by Sol is fired. The smiling day Lily puts forth its face, Opening its yellow cup; with love inspired, Charming Zephyr with all his wonted grace. Hastens to fan it with his silken wings. She still invites a host of butterflies Around her ; fickle, fluttering, giddy things, That cause the fair so many hopeless sighs. Look here, pretty coquettes, your emblem see; In splendour you delight, false though it be. Without it pleasure has no charms for thee. THE CARDINAL FLOWER. Botanical Name, Lobelia cardinalis. —Class, Pentan- dria. —Order, Monogynia. — Flowers, bright scarlet. —Native place, North America. ■Sentiment. DISTINCTION. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. This flower derives its name from its stately beauty, and its scarlet colour; the poets have alluded to it as “ Lobelia, attired like a queen in her prideit is, therefore, a striking illus¬ tration of the sentiment attached to its name. 128 THE CARDINAL FLOWER. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. Oh ! didst thou mark her when she first appear’d, Still distant slowly moving with her train ? Her robe and tresses floating on the wind, Like some light figure in a moving cloud ; Then, as she onward to the eye became The more distinct, the lovelier still upgrew That graceful bearing of her slender form; Her roundly spreading breast, her tow’ring neck, Her face tinged sweetly with the bloom of youth; But when on near approach she towards us turn’d, Kind mercy ! what a countenance was there! And when to our salute she gently bow’d, Didst mark that smile rise from her parting lips ? Soft swell’d her glowing cheek, her eyes smiled too! O, how they smiled! ’twas like the beams of heaven; I felt my roused soul within me start Like something waked from sleep. Joanna Baillie. THE HYDRANGEA. Botanical Name, Hydrangea Tiortensis. —Class, Decan- dria. —Order, Dygynia. — Flowers, rose-coloured, tinged with purple .—Native place, China and Japan. Sentiment. HEAKTLESSNESS. - o - ORIGIN OP THE SENTIMENT. The origin of this idea is not so easily ascer¬ tained as many of those which we shall have to notice; it seems, however, to arise from the fact that it gives very much larger ex¬ pectation of, and therefore hope for, perfect flowers, than it ever realizes, as the plant is distinguished above all others for its number 130 THE HYDRANGEA. of abortive flowers ; in this degree, therefore, it is a fit emblem of those heartless beings whose glory it is to raise hopes which they never intend to realize: without any regard for that “ blight of the heart,” which pro¬ duces those interesting singularities, “ old maidsfor ourselves, we can assert that we never see an antiquated lady of this class without being led into a speculation upon the heartlessness of the male, and the heroic endurance of the female, who has suffer¬ ed the worst of all tortures—protracted and disappointed hopes—and has yet hid this se¬ cret sorrow in her heart of hearts, and un¬ complainingly endured the reputation of coldness and heartlessness, to which her posi¬ tion is too often attributed; this is, indeed, the only modern martyrology in which we believe. THE HYDRANGEA. 131 ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. Maiden, go, if thou hast lost All that made thee once so dear ; Let not now our parting cost Thee a sigh, or me a tear. Go with fashion’s heartless train, Go where wealth and pleasure wait; Seek them all, nor seek in vain; Go and leave me to my fate. Maiden, go ! a sadden’d brow Haply serves hut to conceal ; Tears, methinks, are idle now. Waste them not, unless you feel; If your bosom is too cold Still to prize a loyal heart, If you value sullen gold More than love, ’tis best to part. Go ! and when your heart has learn’d How love flies the courtly door. Learn that true affections spurn’d Droop to death, and bloom no more. Mbs. Hall. THE SWEET BRIAR, or EGLANTINE. - 0 - Botanical Name, Rosa rubiginosa. —Class, Icosandria. —Order, Polygynia. — Flowers, pale-pink, foliage very fragrant .—Native place, Europe. Sentiment. SIMPLICITY. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. In the Floral Games a wreath of Sweet Briar was the prize of the victor poet, denoting by its simplicity that it was for honour, not for avarice, that the poets contended. Modern poets have also celebrated the simplicity of the Sweet Briar, and have affirmed the THE SWEET BRIAR, OR EGLANTINE. 133 correctness of wedding this sentiment to ^ ( the flower. ILLUSTRATION OP THE SENTIMENT. From this bleeding hand of mine, Take this sprig of eglantine; Which, though sweet unto your smell. Yet the fretful briar will tell. He who plucks the sweets shall prove Many thorns to be in love. Herrick. N THE STRAWBERRY. Botanical Name, Fragaria elatior. —Class, Icosandria. ■ —Order, Polygynia. — Floivers, white .—Native place, Europe. Sentiment. PERFECTION. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The flower of the Strawberry is pretty, though simple ; the fruit is agreeable to the sight, and its perfume is delightful; while the taste is allowed to be equal to any of the products of our garden. It is questionable, indeed, whether it would not be placed first in flavour, had it been more scarce. It at once pleases the sight, the taste, and the THE STRAWBERRY. 135 smell, and is, therefore, the best image of perfection which our gardens produce. ILLUSTKATION OF THE SENTIMENT. Ah, woman! in this world of ours, What gift can he compared to thee ? How slow would drag life’s weary hours, Though man’s proud brow were bound with flowers. And his the wealth of land and sea, If destined to exist alone, And ne’er call woman’s heart his own. * * # * # * Yes, woman’s love is free from guile. And pure as bright Aurora’s ray; The heart will melt before its smile, And earthly passions fade away. Were I the monarch of the earth. And master of the swelling sea, I would not estimate their worth, Dear woman, half the price of thee. Mouths. THE MANDRAKE. 0 Botanical Name, Air op a mandragora. — Class, Pen - tandria. —Order, Monogynia. — Flowers, white.— Na¬ tive place, the Levant ; many are found in the south of Europe, and some in England. Sentiment. EAEITY, E A EE. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The Mandrake is a root which requires but little exercise of the imagination to fancy it a manikin human body without a head. It has the appearance of a dark fleshy sub¬ stance ; and from this circumstance was formerly supposed to have animal feelings, and was even said to cry most piteously, on being divorced from the earth; superstition added, that such was the impiety attached to THE MANDRAKE. 137 the act of tearing them from the ground, that whoever did so died soon afterwards; and in consequence of this belief, dogs used to be employed, and were trained to obtain them. In the dark ages, this root, having so extra¬ ordinary a reputation, was used by the quacks and pretended fortune-tellers to impose upon the credulous; they professed that the spe¬ cimens in their possession were the real Mandrakes, brought from some scarcely heard of canton in China, and that they, consequently, had virtues in proportion to their rarity. Of course these gentlemen quite discarded the idea of the European Mandrake being the real one, and probably appealed to their well known quiescent de¬ parture from mother Earth as a proof that they were not, while the specimens in their possession were scarcely attainable, and only at the risk of life ; hence, the Mandrake has been handed down to us as an emblem of rarity, or rareness. 138 THE MANDRAKE. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. Ne’er did Grecian chisel trace A nymph, a naiad, or a grace Of finer form, or lovlier face! What though the sun, with ardent frown, Had slightly tinged her cheek with brown, The sportive toil, which, short and light. Had dyed her glowing cheek so bright, Served, too, in hastier swell, to show Short glimpses of a breast of snow. What though no rule of courtly grace, To measured mood had train’d her pace, A foot more light, a step more true. Ne’er from the heath-flower dash’d the dew; E’en the slight harebell raised its head Elastic from her airy tread. Sir Waiter Scott. THE CROCUS. Botanical Name, Crocus sativus. —Class, Triandria. —Order, Monogynia. — Floivers, yellow, purple, white. —Native place, Europe. Sentiment. YOUTHFUL GLADNESS. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. This is one of the harbingers of spring ; its bright flowers peering through the snow, and surrounded by a livery of white, covering- leafless branches, appear to smile amid de¬ solation, exhibiting a picture of the gladness of youth triumphing over the predictions of misfortune. 140 THE CROCUS. ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE SENTIMENT. That heart, methinks, Were of strange mould, which kept no cherish’d print Of earlier, happier times, when life was fresh, And love and innocence made holy day. Hilehouse. I’ve pleasant thoughts, that memory brings, In moments free from care. Of a fairy-like and laughing girl. With roses in her hair; Her smile was like the starlight Of summer’s softest skies. And worlds of joyousness there shone From out her witching eyes. Her looks were looks of melody; Her voice was like the swell Of sudden music, notes of mirth, That of wild gladness tell. She came, like spring, with pleasant sounds Of sweetness and of mirth, And her thoughts were those wild flowery ones That linger not on earth. Smith. THE ANEMONE. - o - Botanical Name, Anemone Virginiana. —Class, Poly an . dria. —Order, Polyynia. — Flowers, yellow, blue, purple, and crimson.— Native place. North America. Sentiment. ANTICIPATION, EXPECTATION. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The appearance of the Anemone denotes the approach of spring, and raises the expecta¬ tion of its opening flowers, and interesting associations. An Anemone, therefore, bloom¬ ing amid the snow, tells us that the reign of Boreas is nearly over, that his white mantle will soon be withdrawn, and induces us to anticipate the approach of fine weather and sunny skies. 142 THE ANEMONE. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. Why should I wet my couch with tears, And o’er my sad condition pine. When blissful days, and blissful years. Inspiring thought! shall yet he mine ? Oh, yes! my griefs will melt away, Like snow from off the verdant earth, And there shall come a happier day, And brighter, fairer hours have birth. Oft have I sigh’d, and not a breast But mine has known my maddening pain ; But now I soothe my soul to rest With this, that we shall meet again. Enrapturing thought! and can it be ? And will the present darkness fly ? Oh ! shall I spend my life with thee, And on thy gentle bosom die ? Then hence, ye every mournful thought, Nor e’er again will I complain; With thrilling bliss the future’s fraught, For we shall meet, shall meet again, Adieu! my dearest, fondest friend. No longer let dark visions reign; Believe, with me, our griefs shall end. And we shall meet in bliss again. W. Cardall. THE DANDELION. Botanical Name, Leontodon taraxacum .— Class, Syn- genesia. —Order, Eqiialis. — Flowers, yeUow .—Native place, Europe, America. Sentiment. AN ORACLE. ORIGIN OP THE SENTIMENT. This lias been the schoolboy s’, the shepherds 5 , and the village swains’ oracle, from the olden time up to the present. Do they wish to know “the time o’ the day?”—the flowers of the Dandelion have their stated hours of opening and shutting. Do softer feelings occupy the thoughts of the village sw r ain ?— he takes the feathery globe of the Dandelion, and blows, not too boisterously, thereupon ; 144 THE DANDELION. and if a particle thereof be undetached, he is assured that his mistress has him in her thoughts. Does he wish her to know how vividly her image is pictured in his mind, how many gentle prayers for her welfare are breathed from his heart ?—he takes another of these feathery spheres, and, as the wor¬ shipper of Iran turns to his god, the sun, so he towards the dwelling-place of his divinity, and breathes thereon with all the ardour of his desires, and straight the little messengers wing their way to her feet, with the tribute of his devotion. The day of the schoolboys’ holiday has dawned, or the shepherd’s cares are demanded by his flock upon the moun¬ tain, do they require a barometer to know if the day will be propitious, to ascertain if the sun will shine, or the storm will rage ? those little globes are again called into re¬ quisition, and faithfully they tell of the coming storm, or of the reign of the glorious sun. THE DANDELION. 145 ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. Lady, throw back thy raven hair; # Show thy white brow in the moonlight bare; I will look on the stars, and look on thee, And read the page of thy destiny. Little thanks shall I have for my tale, Even in youth thy cheek will be pale ; By thy side is a red rose tree, One lone rose droops, wither’d, so thou wilt be. Mark yon star, it shone at thy birth ; Look again, it has fallen to earth; Its glory has pass’d like a dream away, So, or yet sooner, wilt thou decay. I may not read in thy hazel eyes. For the long dark lash that over them lies; So in my heart I can but see, A shadow of night in thy destiny. I can give thee but dark revealings Of passionate hopes, and wasted feelings, Of love that pass’d as the lava wave, Of a broken heart, and an early grave. o THE WEEPING WILLOW. Botanical Name, Salix JBabylonica. —Class, Dioecia.— Order, Diandria.—Native place, Syria. Sentiment. FORSAKEN. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The name of this tree is expressive of sorrow ; little is, then, required to connect the senti¬ ment with its type ; indeed, the connection is so intimate, and so obvious, as to have be¬ come a proverb, and the “ forsaken wight” is said to “ wear the willow.” Drayton has, also, two lines, expressive of this custom :— “ In love, the sad forsaken wight The willow garland weareth.” THE WEEPING WILLOW. 147 Popular opinion, custom, the poets, and common sense, all agreeing upon the point, ive can have no better authority. ILLUSTRATION OP THE SENTIMENT. O! synge unto my roundelaie ! O ! drop the briny tear with me; Daunce ne moe atte hallie* day ; Like a running river be. My love is deade, Gone to his death-bed, All under the willowe tree. Black his cryne,f as the wyntere night; Whyte his rode $ as driven snowe ; Rodde his face as morning lyglit; Cold he lies hi the grave below. Swote his tounge as the throstle’s note; Quycke in daunce as thought can be; Deft his tabor, codgelle stole. O, he lies by the willowe tree. t Neck. * Holy. f Ilair. 148 THE WEEPING WILLOW. Hark ! the raven flaps his wynge, In the briered delle below! Hark ! the deathe-owl loud dotlie sing To the night-mares, as they go. See, the whyte moon sheenes on high ! Whyter is my true love’s shrowde, Why ter than the morning skie, Whyter than the evening cloud. Here upon my true love’s graVe, Shall the baren fleurs he layde ; Ne one bailie savnte to save All the coldness of a mayde. With my hondes I’ll dente the briers, Hound his hallie corse to gre •* Ouphantef fairies, light your fires ! Here my body still shall he. Come, with acorne-cup and thorne, Draine my harty’s hlodde awaie! Lyfe, and all its goodes I scorne, Daunce by night, or feast by day. * Grow. f Elfin. THE WEEPING WILLOW. 149 Watere wytches, crowned with reytes,* Bere me to your leathalef tyde! I die—I come—my true love waytes ! Thos the damselle spake, and dy’d. CUATTEETON. N.B.—In the original, the last three lines of the first verse are repeated at the end of each of the others. * Water-flags. f Deadly. O 9 THE MAPLE-LEAVED GERANIUM. Botanical Name, Pelargonium, acerifolium. —Class, Monadelphia. —Order, Ileptandria. — Flowers, white. —Native place, Cape of Good Hope. Sentiment. TRANQUILLITY OF MIND. - 0 - ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. We must confess that all our research (and it has been zealously pursued) has failed to discover the reason of this sentiment being connected with the Geranium. Madame de Stael appeared to think that this flower was an emblem of beautiful insensibilty ; and this THE MAPLE-LEAVED GERANIUM. 151 is the nearest approach to tranquillity of mind that we have been able to discover; we must, therefore, thus leave it, and follow the example of our contemporaries, by adopt¬ ing it. ILLUSTRATION OP THE SENTIMENT. There is a gentle element, and man May breathe it with a calm unruffled soul. And drink its living waters, till his heart Is pure.—And this is happiness! Go abroad Upon the paths of nature, and, when all Its voices whisper, and its silent things Are breathing the deep beauty of the world. Kneel at its simple altar, and the God Who hath the living waters shall be there. Willis. TIIE GILLYFLOWER. Botanical Name, Cheiranthus incanus. —Class, Tetrady- namia. —Order, Siliquosa. — Floioers, white, red, and violet-coloured .—Native place, Europe. Sentiment. UNFADING BEAUTY. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The balsamic odour of the Gillyflower is said to be favourable to the preservation of beau¬ ty ; when assembled in a close parterre, the aromatic perfume which rises of a summer’s evening, especially after a light shower, is particularly strong; yet, although so power¬ ful, the most delicate female is refreshed in¬ stead of being oppressed thereby. This, in THE GILLYFLOWER. 153 conjunction with the veto of the poets, who have pronounced it fair among the fairest of Flora’s products—■ “ Fair as the Gillyflower of garden sweet ”— has attached this idea to the Gillyflower; and, in our opinion, very appropriately. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. He that loves a rosy cheek, Or a coral lip admires, Or from star-like eyes doth seek Fuel to maintain his fires,— As old Time makes these decay, So his flame must waste away. But a smooth and steadfast mind. Gentle thoughts and calm desires. Hearts, with equal love combined, Kindle never-dying fires; Where these are not, 1 despise Lovely cheeks, or lips, or eyes. Carew. THE WILD VINE. Eotanical Name, Vitis vinifercc .—Class, Pentandria .— Order, Monogynia. — Flowers, green, fragrant .—Native place, Europe. Sentiment. MIET H. - 0 - ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. From time immemorial the statue of Bac¬ chus has been crowned by wreaths of Vine leaves ; not as a symbol of intoxication, but of the mirth and jollity that his reign im- THE WILD VINE. 155 parted. We willingly acknowledge it, then, as the emblem of mirth, being assured that our fair friends, at any rate, will never par¬ take of the intoxicating qualities of its juice, and therefore only know it by the health and good humour its moderate use imparts. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. The earnest trumpet spake, and silver thrills From kissing cymbals made a merry din : ’Twas Bacchus and his kin! Like to a moving vintage, down they came, Crown’d with green leaves, and faces all on flame. All madly dancing through the pleasant valley. To scare thee, Melancholy! O then, O then, thou wast a simple name, And I forgot thee, as the berried holly By shepherds is forgotten, when, in June, Tall chesnuts keep away the sun and moon. I rush’d into the folly ! 156 THE WILD VINE. Within his car, aloft, young Bacchus stood. Trifling his ivy dart, in dancing mood, With sidelong laughing; And little rills of crimson wine imbrued His plump white arms and shoulders, enough white For Venus’ pearly bite ; And near him roe Silenus, on his ass, Pelted with flowers, as he on did pass. Keats. THE GRASSES. Botanical Name, Gramina. —Class, Triandria. —Order, Digynia. — Flowers, various, frequently forming a pretty¬ looking feather; before they are quite ripe, green.— Native place, Europe, Asia, Africa and America. Sentiment. SUBMISSION. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The nations of the west, according to Hero¬ dotus, used Grass as a signal of submission, or an acknowledgment that they were con¬ quered. We see, in our own history, a relic of the custom. When William the Conquerer landed at Pevensey, one of his followers (per¬ haps one of the natives who followed to Nor- p 158 THE GRASSES. mandy the British traitor Tostig) laid hold of the thatch of a cottage, and presented a piece of it to William as “ seizin,” or an ac¬ knowledgment that the kingdom accepted of his rule, and submitted to him. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. They who may tell love’s wistful tale, Of half its cares enlighten’d, Their hark is tacking to the gale,— The sever’d cloud is brighten’d. Love, like the silent stream, is found Beneath the willows lurking, The deeper that it hath no sound To tell its ceaseless working. Submit, my heart; thy lot is cast, I feel its inward token; I feel this misery will not last, Yet, last till thou art broken. Joanna Baieeie. THE HOLLY. Botanical Name, Ilex aquifolium. —Class, Tetrandria. —Order, Tetragynia. — Berries , red .—Native place, Europe. Sentiment. DOMESTIC HAPPINESS. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. Tiie Holly has, from time immemorial, been the symbol of Christmas and all its social and domestic pleasures; nor is its social in¬ fluence confined to the pleasure it is the companion of, -within the circle of the homes of man ; the little birds rejoice in the exist¬ ence of the green leaves and red berries of 160 THE HOLLY. the Holly,—the one affords them shelter from the wintry blast, when but few leaves are left for their protection : the other pro¬ vides them with food when the snow-covered ground, or frozen earth, where no snow is lying, locks up the ordinary sources of their supply. A tree, then, that fosters all the social affections of man, and imparts shelter and food to the harmless and hungry tenants of our woods, is indeed a fit emblem of do¬ mestic happiness. ILLUSTRATION OP THE SENTIMENT. The holly branch it clusters Its berries bright and red. When the flowers of the forest, Fair, fragile things, are dead; But I mourn not simple flowers, However bright they be, Since they fade with summer hours: The holly branch for me ! THE IIOLLY. 161 The holly branch, it lingers, Unmoved by wintry blast. When all its gay companions, Like summer birds, have past; Then let us hope our friendships As durable may be. Hurrah for merry Christmas ! The holly branch for me ! J. E. Cakpenteh. p 2 THE HOLLYHOCK. Botanical Name, Althaea rosea. —Class, Monadelphia. —Order, Polyandria ,— Floivers, white, variegated.— Native place, China. Sentiment. AMBITION. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. From its very numerous flowers, this lias often been the emblem of fecundity ; but we prefer the more obvious, and, in floral lan¬ guage, the more useful idea, which we have chosen, which is quite admissible, and, in¬ deed, quite appropriate. The towering cha¬ racter of the plant, obtruding its flowers above THE HOLLYHOCK. 1G3 all others, as if desirous of attracting all eves and claiming universal pre-eminence, is quite sufficient to justify our selection. ILLUSTRATION OP THE SENTIMENT. Ambition ! ambition ! I’ve laugh’d to scorn Thy robe and thy gleaming sword ; I would follow sooner a woman’s eye, Or the spell of a gentle word. But come with the glory of human mind, And the light of the scholar’s brow, And my heart shall be taught forgetfulness, And alone at thy altar bow. Willis. THE TRENCH MARIGOLD. Botanical Name, Tagetes patula. —Class, Syngenesia .— Order, Superfiua. — Flowers, dark red .—Native place, Mexico. Sentiment. JEALOUSY. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. To the oldest poets, who so deeply studied the book of nature, we are again compelled to refer. Chaucer assists us in this case: “ And jealousie That we’vtd of yelwe goldes a girlonde !” Knight’s Tale. History, however, in a remote way, aids us. When the Spaniards, under Pizarro, con- THE FRENCH MARIGOLD. 165 querecl Mexico, unsatiated by the seas of blood through which they waded to the dominion over the country, they exercised their san¬ guinary inclinations still further, by destroy¬ ing the defenceless natives, from a feeling of jealousy of their chiefs, who, it must be al¬ lowed, sincerely hated them, and consequent¬ ly were the first victims of Spanish cruelty. Such was the extent of these massacres, that it was said it caused the Marigolds around the places of Spanish location to turn red; and the red Marigold is particularly abun¬ dant around Mexico. ILLUSTRATION OR THE SENTIMENT. In yonder grove of myrtles, straying, I saw a damsel and a child;— Joy on his frolic brow was playing, Her cheek was pale, her look was wild. Oft as he cull’d the dewy flowers, His playful gambols she forbid, And, if he roved to distant bowers, His steps controll’d, his wanderings chid. 166 THE TRENCH MARIGOLD. Time pass’d away, on airy pinion, When lo! I met the nymph alone— The child had fled her harsh dominion, And, hopeless, she was left to mourn. To learn the damsel’s name I strove. And his who shunn’d her prying eye;— The truant child, I found, was Love ! The weeping mourner. Jealousy. From the Italian. \ t TIIE HONEYSUCKLE. Botanical Name, Lonicera periclymenum. —Class, Pen- tonclria. —Order, Monogynia. — Flowers , red, scarlet, yeHow, white .—Native place, England. Sentiment. FIDELITY. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. - - - The flowery wreath of the Honeysuckle is an apt emblem of the bonds of faithful love,— wherever it attaches itself it remains, and sheds forth its delicate and fragrant perfume ; like it, the Honeysuckle is dependent upon an object for support, and can only he re¬ moved by destruction, when once its tendrils 168 THE HONEYSUCKLE. are firmly entwined; for it receives support, and rewards that support with devotion and every good within its power to communicate. Fidelity is, therefore, a sentiment eminently illustrated by the Honeysuckle. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. Oh ! yet one smile, though dark may lower Around thee clouds of woe and ill ; Let me yet feel that I have power, ’Mid fate’s bleak storms, to soothe thee still. Though sadness he upon thy brow. Yet let it turn, dear love, to me ; I cannot bear that thou sliouldst know Sorrow I do not share with thee. True love’s wreath is of mountain flowers,— They stand the storm, and brave the blast, And blossom,—so, true love like ours Is sweetest when all else is past. Too well, I know, that storms have frown’d, And still frown on life’s troubled tide; Still darker let them gather round. They have no power on hearts so tried. THE HONEYSUCKLE. 169 Then say not that you may not hear To shadow spirit light as mine; I shall not shrink, or fear to share The darkest fate, if it be thine. Miss Landon. / Q THE OLIVE THEE. BotakicaIi Name, Olea Europea. —Class, Diandria. Order, Monogynia. — Flowers, white and odoriferous. Native place, Europe. Sentiment. PEACE. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The Olive lias ever been consecrated to peace. The Dove returned to Noah with an Olive branch, showing that the waters were retiring from the earth, and that the anger of the Lord had ceased. Since then, Concord and the Graces have by the ancients been crown¬ ed with Olive, who also dedicated the tree to Minerva. THE OLIVE TREE. 171 ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. Come, while the morning of thy life is glowing, Ere the dim phantoms thou art chasing die ; Ere the gay spell that earth is round thee throwing Fades, like the crimson from a sun-set sky. Life is hut shadows, save a promise given, Which lights up sorrow with a fadeless ray, O touch the sceptre ! with a hope in heaven ; Come, turn thy spirit from the world away ! Then will the crosses of this brief existence Seem airy nothing to thine ardent soul, And, shining brightly in the forward distance, Will, of thy patient race, appear the goal:— Home of the weary, where, in peace reposing, The spirit lingers in unbounded bliss; Though o’er its dust the uncertain grave is closing, Who would not early choose a lot like this ? Mbs. Hale. TIIE PURPLE HYACINTH. Botanical Name, Hyacinthus Orientalis. —Class, Uexan- clria. —Order, Monogynia. — Flowers, purple .—Native place, Levant. ■Sentiment. S 0 E E O W. ORIGIN OP 1 THE SENTIMENT. The poets have dedicated this dower to sor¬ row, and the ancients justify the selection. Pcrcival has sung— “ The deep blue tincture that robed it, seem’d The gloomiest garb of sorrow, As if in its eye no brightness beam’d, And it never, in clearer moments, dream’d Of a fair and calm to-morrow.” THE PURPLE HYACINTH. 173 And mythology informs us that Apollo and Hyacinth were playing at quoits, upon the banks of the river Amphrises, when the for¬ mer struck the latter on the temple with one of the quoits, and killed him upon the spot. He had not the power to restore him to life, but changed him into the flower that now bears his name, as a fond memorial of his sorrow. ILLUSTRATION OP THE SENTIMENT. To Sorrow I bade good-morrow, And thought to leave her far behind; Rut cheerly, cheerly. She loves me dearly, She is so constant to me and so kind. I would deceive her. And so deceive her, But ah! she is so constant and so kind. Beneath my palm-trees, by the river side, I sat a-weeping; in the whole world wide Q 2 174 THE PURPLE HYACINTH. There was no one to ask me why I wept. And so I kept Brimming the water-lily cups with tears Cold as my fears. Beneath my palm-trees, by the river side, I sat a-weeping. What enamour’d bride, Cheated by shadowy wooer from the clouds, But hides and shrouds Beneath dark palm-trees, by the river’s side ? Keats. THE LAVENDER. Botanical Name, Lavandula spilca. —Class, Lidynamia. —Order, Gymnospermia. — Flowers, lilac, approaching to purple, and very fragrant .—Native place, Europe, Africa. Sentiment. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OE LOVE. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. Siiakspeare hath said, it, and who would wish to alter an emblem that has become im¬ mortal from his adoption? — “ She sent him Lavender, owning her love.” We have, therefore, adopted the sentiment, although somewhat inclined to have wedded 176 THE LAVENDER. the flower to “ suspicion,” on account of the suspicion with which it was always approach¬ ed in the East, on account of its being supposed to be the residence of the asp, “ Whose venom’d bite Th’ Egyptian Cleopatra slew.” We must, however, take the authority of Shakspeare before that of Eastern tradition. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. The sun’s last rays began to fade Within the glowing west ; The lover, with his chosen maid. Far from the haunts of man had stray’d. To ease his burden’d breast, Ry gently whispering in her ears The many anxious doubts and fears By which he was distress’d, Till softly in the sky of blue The silvery moon arose to view; THE LAVENDER. 1 77 When slower grew their ling’ring walk, And softer grew their murmur’d talk, For ev’ry look and word and thought With dreams of future bliss was fraught; And all those visions fancy weaves In young and loving hearts— Visions which youth alone believes, And love alone imparts. B. THE BLUE HYACINTH Botanical Name, Hyacinthus amethystinus. — Class, Hexandria. — Order, Monogynia. — Floivers, blue. — Native place, Europe. Sentiment. CONSTANCY. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. When we can derive no information from the East, we must rely upon the poets. Burns has helped us on this occasion; he sings— “ The Hyacinth’s for constancy, Wi’ its unchanging blue.” And why may we not, in support of the cor- THE BLUE HYACINTH. 179 rectness of his selection, quote what has become a proverb, that “ true blue” is the emblem of truth, ergo of constancy ? “ But oh ! never doubt that my heart is true blue” is a line from one of our most popular songs, and misunderstood by no one; therefore, popular opinion, as w r ell as the poet, has at¬ tached the sentiment to the flower. ILLUSTRATION OP THE SENTIMENT. Oh ! were I conscious that within her breast I held some portion of her dear regard. Though pent for life within a prison’s walls. Where through my grate I yet might sometimes see E’en hut her shadow sporting in the sun; Though placed by fate where some obstructing bound, Some deep unpassable between us roll’d. And I might yet, from some high tow’ring cliff, Perceive her distant mansions from afar. Or mark its blue smoke rising eve and morn ; Nay, though within the circle of the moon, Some spell did fix her, never to return, 180 THE BLUE HYACINTH. And I might wander in the hours of night, And upward turn mine ever-gazing eye. Fondly to mark upon its varied disk Some little spot where might her dwelling he;— My fond, my fixed heart would still adore, And own no other love. Joanna Baillie. THE LILY OF THE VALLEY. Botanical Name, Convallaria majalis. —Class, Jlexan- dria. —Order, Monogynia. — Flowers, white, variegated with green .—Native 'place, Britain. Sentiment. KETURN OE HAPPINESS. - 0 - ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. There is a tradition that the Lily of the Valley was wedded to the Nightingale, and that this is the reason that the sweet bird of night frequents not the woods until the ap¬ pearance of his spouse ; certain it is that, at the approach of May, the lover of nature will find the Lily opening its simple bloom at the foot of many a moss-grown oak, if, indeed, R 182 THE LILY OF THE VALLEY. such be now left us; and soon after, the song of the nightingale is heard in our woods, and Philomel will be found seated on the oaken screen which shades his lady love, who nightly sends forth her perfume as a grateful return for the happiness his presence imparts. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. I had found out a sweet green spot. Where a Lily was blooming fair ; The din of the city disturb’d it not. But the spirit that shades the quiet cot, With its wings of love was there. I found that Lily bloom When the day was dark and chill; It smiled like a star in a misty gloom, And it sent abroad a soft perfume. Which is floating around me still. I sat by the Lily’s hell. And watch’d it many a day; The leaves, that rose in a flowing swell. Grew faint and dim, then droop’d and fell, And the flower had flown away. THE LILY OF THE VALLEY. 183 I look’d where the leaves were laid In withering paleness by, And, as gloomy thoughts stole on me said, “There is many a sweet and blooming maid. Who will soon as dimly die.” Peeciyal. THE ROSEMARY. Botanical NiAiE, Rosmarinus officinalis. —Class, Dian- dria. —Order, Monogynia. — Floivers, purple, growing in an axil .—Native place, Europe. .Sentiment. REMEM BEAN CE. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. We are indebted to Shakspeare for this junc¬ tion of flower and sentiment:— “ There is Rosemary, that’s for remembrance, Pray you, love, remember.” No Englishman, or woman, would wish to alter what Shakspeare has recorded; it must, however, be recollected, that the great poet did not arbitrarily attach meanings to flowers. THE ROSEMARY. 185 lie only recorded the popular feelings or tra¬ ditions of his day, being, of course, satisfied of their truth, or poetic fitness. ILLUSTRATION OP THE SENTIMENT. Sweet-scented flower! who art wont to bloom, On January’s frost severe. And o’er the wintry desert drear To waft thy waste perfume! Come, thou slialt form my nosegay now. And I will bind thee round my brow; And, as I twine the mournful wreath, I’ll weave a melancholy song; And sweet the strain shall be and long— The melody of death. Come funeral flower! who lovest to dwell With the pale corse, in lonely tomb, And throw across the desert gloom A sweet decaying smell! Come, press my lips, and lie with me Beneath the lovely alder tree; And we will sleep a pleasant sleep, And not a care shall dare intrude, To break the marble solitude, So peaceful and so deep. R 2 186 THE ROSEMARY. And hark! the wind god, as he flies, Moans hollow in the forest trees. And, sailing on the gusty breeze. Mysterious music dies. Sweet flower! that requiem wild is mine ; It warns me to the lonely shrine,— The cold turf altar of the dead. My grave shall be in yon lone spot. Where, as I lie, by all forgot, A dying fragrance thou wilt o’er my ashes shed. H. K. Write. THE ICE PLANT. Botanical Name, Mesembryantliemum crystallinum .— Class, Icosandria. — Order, Pentagynia. — Flowers, white .—Native 'place, Greece. Sentiment. YOUK LOOKS EKEEZE ME. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. When tlie leaves of this plant are exposed to the rays of the sun, it appears covered with frozen crystals, and from this circumstance it derives its name. The name, of course, has suggested the very appropriate sentiment. 188 THE ICE PLANT. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. There’s a cool, collected look. As if her pulses beat by book, A measured tone, a cold reply, A management of voice and eye, A calm, possess’d, authentic air, That leaves a doubt of softness there—• Till, look and worship as I may, My fever’d thoughts will pass away. Willis. THE ORANGE FLOWER. Botanical Name, Citrus aurantium. —Class, Polyadel- phia. —Order, Polyandria. — Flowers, white, rather in¬ clining to yeHow .—Native place, Asia. Sentiment. CHASTITY. - 0 - ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. In France it is customary for ladies to wear a wreath of Orange Flowers; and formerly an unchaste woman was deprived of this ornament upon her wedding day. This cus¬ tom, even now, exists in the suburbs of Paris; popular opinion has, therefore, conse¬ crated this flower to chastity. 190 THE ORANGE FLOWER. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. Light as the angel shapes that bless An infant’s dream, yet not the less Rich in all woman’s loveliness;— With eyes so pure, that from their ray Dark vice would turn abash’d away. Blinded like serpents, when they gaze Upon the emerald’s virgin blaze;— Yet fill’d with all youth’s sweet desires, Mingling the meek and vestal fires Of other worlds, with all the bliss. The fond, weak tenderness of this! A soul, too, more than half divine, Where through some shades of earthly feeling. Religion’s soften’d glories shine. Like light through summer foliage stealing. Shedding a glow of such mild hue, So warm and yet so shadowy, too, As makes the very darkness there More beautiful than light elsewhere. Moore’s “Lalla Rookh.” THE NARCISSUS. Botanical Name, Narcissus poeticus. —Class, Hexan- dria. —Order, Monogynia. — Flowers, white, with a crimson circle round the nectary. — Native 'place , Europe. Sentiment. EGOTISM, SELF-LOVE. ORIGIN OP THE SENTIMENT. This flower is said to have been, formerly, a young shepherd, who was so enamoured of his own fair form and face, as to be totally insensible to the charms of every nymph who approached him ; these, unfortunately, were, in most cases, not so insensible, and there¬ fore sighed—but sighed in vain—for the beautiful Narcissus. The legend proceeds to state that, one day, tired with the chase, the shepherd threw himself on the green turf, be- 192 THE NARCISSUS. side a pellucid fountain, which reflected back his image; with this image he fell distract¬ edly in love, and threw himself into the fountain, in search of the phantom which Love had commissioned to punish, by betray¬ ing him. But on the spot from which he had taken the fatal plunge arose a beautiful little flower, with its head drooping over the foun¬ tain, as if in search still of the lost Narcissus. This, the poets tell us, was the metamorphosed shepherd; and, till this day, the solitary spring is the favourite haunt of the beautiful Narcissus. Thus is the flower a most apt emblem of self-love. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. Natuke’s laws must be obey’d. And this is one slie strictly laid On every soul which she has made, Down from our earliest mother— Be self your first and greatest care, Fi om all reproach the darling spare, And, any blame that she should hear Put off upon another. THE NARCISSUS. 193 Had Nature ta’en a second thought, A better precept she had taught, And good, instead of evil, wrought, By those the power possessing; For self had been put out of sight. The love of others brought to light, In short, the wrong had all been right. And man to man a blessing. Gould. THE SCARLET GERANIUM. Botanical Name, Pelargonium inquinans. —Class, Mo- nadelphia. —Order, Heplandria. — Flowers, scarlet.— Hative place, Cape of Good Hope. Sentiment. COMPOET. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The flowers of this plant have a peculiarly refreshing perfume; and from this circum¬ stance it derived the sentiment to which it has been attached. THE SCARLET GERANIUM. 195 ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. * Look to the east, when the morning is bright. When the purple is blending with rays of rose light ; My spirit shall then hold communion with thee, And thy blush, bright as morning, must whisper of me. And look to the west, when, pavilion’d afar. Sweet Love sends her smiles from her own favour’d star; And think of our friendship, as pure as star shine, My spirit shall then hold communion with thine. And at midnight’s deep hour, when the moon is on high. Should the angel of peace leave unseal’d thy soft eye. Look forth! the calm radiance is hallow’d above. Anon. THE PEACH BLOSSOM. Botanical Name, Amygdalus Persica. —Class, Icosan- dria. —Order, Monogynia. — Flowers, pale red .—Native place, Persia. Sentiment. I AM YOUR CAPTIVE. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The Peacli Blossom, from its delicacy, is fre¬ quently compared by the poets to the delicate bloom upon the cheek of beauty. We have merely to transport our imagination from the cause to the effect, and we at once perceive the appropriateness of the union of the Bios- THE PEACH BLOSSOM. 197 som aud the sentiment. The bloom of beauty captivates the heart of man ; the former is, t then, the cause, the latter the effect. ILLUSTRATION OP THE SENTIMENT. It throbs for thee! it throbs for thee! My feet may roam o’er earth and sea, My home in court or wild may he, But still this heart will throb for thee. It oft has ached, when friends have fled. When hopes were crush’d, and joy lay dead. And sorrow still its lot may be, But it will warmly throb for thee. Yes! I can welcome joy or woe, Supremely blest, if I but know Thy heart is fix’d alone on me. While mine for ever throbs for thee. Rev. W. Coed ale. THE PINE TREE. Botanical Name, Firms sylvestris. —Class, Monoecia .— Order, Monadelphia.—Native place, Europe. Sentiment. PITT. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. Our friends the poets aid us once more in fixing a language. Barry Cornwall alludes to “ the moaning of the Pines,” as though demanding pity and pardon :— “ And, when the rising moon Flames down the avenue of pines, and looks Red and dilated through the ev’ning mists, THE PINE TREE. 199 And chequer’d, as the heavy branches sway To and fro with the wind, I stay to listen, And fancy to myself that a sad voice, Praying, comes moaning through the trees, as ’twere For some misdeed.” And Dryden sings,— “ A crown of pine upon his head he wore. And thus began her pity to implore.” ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. The loud wind through the forest wakes. With sound like oceans roaring, wild and deep. And in yon gloomy pines, strange music makes, Like symphonies unearthly, heard in sleep ; The sobbing waters dash their waves and weep: Where moans the blast its dreary path along, The bending firs a mournful cadence keep, And mountain rocks re-echo to the song, As fitful raves the wind the hills and woods among. Dbummond. THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. - 0 --— Botanical Name, Ornithogalum mnbellatum. —Class, Hexandria. —Order, Monogynia. — Flowers, white.— Native place, Europe. Sentiment. RECONCILIATION. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The Christian will find no difficulty in per¬ ceiving that this flower is an appropriate em¬ blem of reconciliation, as the name of it at once directs the mind to the great source of reconciliation between God and man; as, however, it is likely to be used by our readers as an emblem of earthly reconciliation, we have chosen our illustration accordingly. THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. 201 ILLUSTRATION OR THE SENTIMENT. I trust the frown thy features wear, Ere long into a smile will turn j I would not that a face as fair As thine, beloved, should look so stern. The chain of ice that winter binds, Holds not for aye the sparkling rill; It melts away, when summer shines, And leaves the water sparkling still; Thus let thy cheek resume the smile That shed such sunny light before, And, though I left thee for awhile. I’ll vow to leave thee, love, no more. Leggett. THE WHITE PINK. Botanical Name, Dianthus caryophyllus. —Variety, Alims. —Class, Decandria. —Order, Dygynia. — Flowers, wliite .—Native 'place, Europe. .Sentiment, F AIB AND FASCINATING. - 0 - ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The varieties of this plant are very beautiful, and we ought to have said “ Albus vel varie- gatus but as the sentiment is confined to the White Pink, we are obliged to omit the latter. To the beauty of the flower, in addi¬ tion to its whiteness or fairness, it is indebted / N \ THE WHITE PINK. 203 for being selected as tlie emblem of “ fair and fascinating.” ILLUSTRATION OP THE SENTIMENT. If you have seen a summer star, Liquidly soft and faintly far. Beaming a smiling glance on earth, As if it watch’d the flowerets’ birth, Then you have seen a light less fair Than that young maiden’s glances were. Dark fell her tresses. You have seen A rent-cloud tossing in the air. And, showing the pure sky between Its floating fragments, here and there. Then you may fancy faintly how The falling tress, the ring-like curl, Disclosed or shadow’d o’er the brow And neck of that fair girl; Her cheek was delicately thin. And, through its pure transparent white, The rose-hue wander’d out and in, As you have seen the inconstant light Flush o’er the northern sky of night. 204 TIIE WHITE PINK. Her playful lip was gently full, Soft curving to the graceful chin. And colour’d like the fruit which glows Upon the sunn’d pomegranate boughs. And oh ! her soft low voice might lull The spirit to a dream of bliss, As if the voices, sweet and bland, Which murmur in the seraph land, Were warbling in a world like this. Whittier. \ THE TIIORN APPLE o- Botanical Name, Datura stramonium. —Class, Pentan- dria. —Order, Monogynia. — Floioers, white j the whole plant has anodyne properties, and is used as sncli in pharmacy .—Native place, America. .Sentiment. I DEEA.M OE THEE. ORIGIN OP THE SENTIMENT. The medical properties of this plant has, doubtless, suggested the sentiment; besides having the property of assuaging pain, it acts, in some cases, so strongly upon the optic nerve of the eye, as to produce temporary blindness ; in most cases it therefore inclines T 206 THE THORN APPLE. to sleep; and, as flowers are here supposed to be the language of love, it were treason to suppose a lover would sleep without dreaming of his mistress. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. 1 had dreams upon the ocean, I had dreams upon the sea, And the billows’ gentle motion Brought a pleasant theme to me; For I dream’d of woodland places, Far beyond the breakers’ roar, And of happy, smiling faces That I knew in days of yore. 1 had dreams upon the ocean. Of an old familiar shore, And I felt, with sad emotion, That I ne’er should see it more ; Then the merry tones of childhood Seem’d blended with the air, And I thought I saw the wildwood, With gleesome faces there. J. E. Carpenter. THE EVENING PRIMROSE. ■o Botanical Name, (Enothera biennis. —Class, Octandria. —Order, Monogynia. — Flowers, pale yellow .—Native place, America. SmthttEttt. THE ELOWER. THE BHD. INCONSTANCY. UNCERTAINTY. ORIGIN OP'THE SENTIMENT. The flower has been associated with the first sentiment, partially from the fact that, appa¬ rently thriving well when transplanted from its parent soil, yet, as Madame de la Tonr 208 THE EVENING PRIMROSE. expresses it, “ the flower has been repeatedly lost and found in the Parisian gardens,” without the owners being able to account for its appearance or disappearance; but, also, partially from the uncertainty of the time of opening of its flowers, so beautifully ex¬ pressed by Keats :— “ Evening primroses. O’er which the wind may hover as it doses; * O’er which it well might take a pleasant sleep. But that ’tis ever startled by the leap Of buds into ripe flowers.” A more suitable emblem could scarcely be obtained. ILLUSTRATION OE THE SENTIMENT. I feel that thou art changed to me. And, would a happier lot were mine ! Yet deem’d I not such change could he. In heart that vow’d to love like thine. I know thou wouldst not have me feel The anguish of a parting sigh; Yet vain thine efforts to conceal That we are changed—both you and I. THE EVENING PRIMROSE. 209 I know my voice hath lost its spell; I know my song can charm no more; Thy few, but sadden’d glances, tell Love’s sweet but fatal dream is o’er. Some other now hath won thy heart, On whom thy hopes will now rely; ’Twere better, then, that we should part, And part for ever—you and I. J. E. Carpenter. THE SCARLET POPPY. Botanical Name, Palaver rliceas. —Class, Polyandria. —Order, Monogynia. — Flowers , scarlet .—Native place, Europe. Sentiment. PERTNESS OR IMPUDENCE. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The poets present us a store-house of thoughts when a sentiment is apparently ob¬ scure. Keats here assists us : — “On one side is a field of drooping oats, Through which the poppies show their scarlet coats, So feet and useless, that they bring to mind The scarlet coa' s that pester humankind.” TI1E SCARLET POPPY. 211 ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. 0 thott, from whose rank breath nor sea can save, Nor sacred virtue, nor the powerless grave ! Felon unwhipp’d ! thou whom, in yonder cells Full many a groaning wretch less guilty dwells; Blush, if of honest blood a drop remains, To steal its lonely way along thy veins; Blush, if the blush, long harden’d on thy cheek. Has left one spot, where that poor drop can speak. Sprague. THE S A F E 11 0 N. - o - Botanical Name, Crocus sativus. —Class, Triandria .— Order, Monogynia. — Flowers, yellow, one species blue. — Native place, England. Sentiment. M A E E I A G E. - 0 - OBIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. For what reason we really are at a loss, but certain it is that the Saffron has been at all times dedicated to marriage. Milman, the author of “The Fall of Jerusalem,” hath “ They shall wear The bridal Saffron.” sung— THE SAFFRON. 213 Custom, and the poets, being in its favour, we cannot be wrong in accepting it as a suit¬ able emblem. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. My own sweet child, ’tis now indeed we part; Thus perish all the idols of my heart. My joy thou hast been since the time that she Who gave thee birth went to eternity; And round my heart thou’st wove so strong a chain, I cannot part without this crushing pain. But he it so, for other claims have found Their way to thy young heart, and it hath hound With chains of adamant; oh may they long Be worn with joy, and never be less strong. Yet I have wish’d that I might keep thy love Without a rival, till to her above I render’d an account of what thou art. While still I kept thine undivided heart. But he it so ; and if thine happiness By him be made, thy lover I will bless; But when completed is the marriage tie, This world I fain would leave, and happily shall die. E. THE BLUE VIOLET Botanical Name, Viola odorata. —Class, Pentandria .— Order, Monogynia. — Flowers, blue .—Native place, Europe. Sentiment. FAITHFULNESS. ORIGIN OP THE SENTIMENT. We are indebted to Shakspeare, who says— “ The Violet is for faithfulness, Which in me shall abide. That from your heart You will not let it slide. 5 ’ We need no further authority. THE BLUE VIOLET. 215 ILLUSTRATION OR THE SENTIMENT. A woman’s love, deep in the heart, Is like the violet flower, That lifts its modest head apart, In some sequester’d bower. And blest is he who finds that bloom, Who sips its gentle sweets; He heeds not life’s oppressive gloom, Nor all the care he meets. A woman’s love is like the rock That every tempest braves, And stands secure amidst the shock Of ocean’s wildest waves; And blest is he to whom repose Within its shade is given; The world, with all its cares and woes, Seems less like earth than heaven. Anon. THE CROWFOOT. - 0 - Botanical Name, Ranunculus repens. —Class, Poly- andria. —Order, Polygynia. — Floivers, yellow .—Native place, Europe. Sentiment. INGRATITUDE. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. This plant is said to become poisonous by cultivation; therefore, if care, toil, and ex¬ pense are bestowed upon it, instead of im¬ proving, it makes it venomous. From this supposed quality, the existence of which we much doubt, it has been thought a suitable emblem of ingratitude; another species, however, the Ranunculus acris, might pos¬ sibly become, by high cultivation, so acrid as to be estimated poisonous, as, when it is met Avith in rich pasture, it blisters the mouths of cattle that feed upon it. There are several THE CROWFOOT. 217 of these plants, which must not be con¬ founded, although they are all known under the general names of the Buttercup, Kingcup, Goldcup, &c. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. Ah, curl that cherub lip in scorn, And give to wit the rein. And barb that tongue with sarcasms, horn From thy proud heart’s disdain. In mockery of one who erst Was ever foremost of the first To guard thy maiden fame. One who, with quick adventurous hand, Had braved the proudest of the land. That lightly named thy name. And yet, if thou canst borrow. In beauty’s mirthful pride, Delight from friendship’s sorrow, Smile on—I will not chide. Yet, ah ! methinks it were more kind. More fraught with woman’s feeling mind To hide derision’s fang From one, who even now would dare More than life’s brittle thread would bear. Ere thou shouldst feel one pang.—A non. U THE SWEET PEA. Botanical Name, Lathyrus odoratus. —Class, Dia- delphia. —Order, Decandria. — Flowers , white, blue, rose-coloured, and lilac, all in the same flower .—Native place, Sicily. Sentiment. DEPASTURE. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. To Keats we are indebted for the union of the flower with this idea ; the passage quoted in a preceding article continues— “ Here are sweet peas, on tiptoe for a flight, With wings of gentle flush o’er delicate white, And taper fingers, catching at all things, To bind them all about with tiny rings.” \ \ e Y THE SWEET PEA. 219 ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. We must part awhile; A few short months, though short, they must be long Without thy dear society; hut yet We must endure it, and our love will he The fonder after parting; it will grow Intenser in our absence, and again Burn with a tender glow when I return. Rear not, this is my last resolve, and this My parting token. Pebcival. THE MOSS ROSE. Botanical Name, Rosa muscosa. — Class, Icosandria .— Order, Polygynia. — Flowers, bright crimson . — Native place, Europe. Sentiment. SUPEEIOR MERIT. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. The Moss Rose is undeniably the most beau¬ tiful of all the roses, and this would be suffi¬ cient to justify the union of the flower and the sentiment •, but we love to have the au¬ thority of the poets, and on this occasion we have their support, for they have sung— “ The moss rose, that at fall of dew Was freshly gather’d from its stem, She values as a diadem,” THE MOSS ROSE. 221 ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. What’s the brow. Or the eye’s lustre, or the step of air, Or colour, but the beautiful links that chain The mind from its rare element ? there lies A talisman in intellect, which yields Celestial music, when the master hand Touches it cunningly. It sleeps beneath The outward semblance, and to common sight Is an invisible and hidden thing; But, when the life is faded, and the form Witches the sense no more, and human love Falters in its idolatry, this spell Will hold its strength unbroken, and go on, Stealing anew the affections. Willis. THE MUSHROOM. Botanical Name, Agaricus campestris. —Class, Crypto- gamia. —Order, Fungi.—Native place, generally dif¬ fused. Sentiment. SUSPICION. ORIGIN OF THE SENTIMENT. Many of these fungi are poisonous m the highest degree; the Agaricus muscarious, or Fly Mushroom, is so poisonous, that death follows its employment. The Cam¬ pestris, on the contrary, is a highly nutri¬ tive fungus, and, it is said that, during THE MUSHROOM. 223 the Russian fasts, the lower orders almost live on this and other esculent species. These fungi must, however, be collected with great care, especially by those unacquainted with their botanical distinctions ; hence the cause of the Mushroom being selected as a fit emblem of suspicion; but, as we have be¬ fore had occasion to notice, our older poets have observed most of the peculiarities of na¬ ture with so close a scrutiny, as to deduce from them the peculiar sentiments which we moderns appear to wish to call discoveries. On the present occasion our illustration is so apt, that we should in vain seek for anything more so among the moderns. ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. And, crouching from the purere lighte of daie. With restless eies, and eares, and louring glaunce, Neathe a ranke mushroomes shade suspicion lies, Nor dared upon that opene pathe advaunce ; 224 THE MUSHROOM. And, even racked with feares, leste some mischaunce Or lurking ille shalle meet her on the waye. Each rustlinge leaf her tremor wolde enhaunce. And lothesome doutes woulde all her thoughts betraye Bothe peace and purpose loste in these foul disarraye. LONDON: WILLIAM STEVENS. PRINTER, 87 , BELL YARD, TEMPLE BAR. « % J BOUND BY k- bone&son, : 76,FLEET STREET, LONDON. |J MB