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 ELISABETH WOODBURN 
 Books on Garden, Farm & 
 Home - Booknoll Farm 
 Hopewell, New Jersey 
 
ALBERT R. MANN 
 LIBRARY 
 
 AT 
 
 CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
 
 THE GIFT OF 
 
 Isabel Zucker 
 

 

 
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THE 
 
 FLORAL GIFT, 
 
 FROM 
 
 NATURE AND THE HEART. 
 
 EDITED 
 
 BY MARY CHAUNCEY. 
 
 “ Flowers are loves truest language.” 
 
 NEW-YORK: 
 
 LEAVITT & COMPANY, 
 
 191 BROADWAY. 
 
 1850. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1846, 
 BY THOMAS DREW, Jr. 
 
 In the Clerk’s office of the District Court of the District of 
 Massachusetts. 
 
*0 THE E0YERS OV 
 
 THE TRUE AND THE BEAUTIEDD, 
 
 IN NATUBE AND THE HEABT. 
 
 THIS VOLUME 
 
 IB INSCRIBED BY 
 
 THE EDITOB. 
 
 (?) 
 
 
 X 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Flowers are love’s truest language! they betray, 
 Like the divining rods of magi old, 
 
 Where priceless wealth lies buried, not of gold, 
 But love, strong love, that never can decay! 
 
 I send thee flowers, O dearest! and I deem 
 That from their petals, thou wilt hear sweet words, 
 Whose music, clearer than the voice of birds, 
 When breathed to thee alone, perchance may seem, 
 All eloquent of feelings unexpressed. 
 
 O, wreathe them in those tresses of dark hair! 
 
 Let them repose upon thy forehead fair, 
 
 And on thy bosom’s yielding snow be pressed! 
 
 Thus shall thy fondness for my flowers reveal, 
 The love that maiden coyness would conceal. 
 
 ae- 
 
 
 Park Benjamin. 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 " In eastern lands they talk In flowers. 
 
 And tell in a garland their loves and cares.” 
 
 The love of flowers is inherent in the human 
 soul. The infant stretches forth its tiny hand 
 to clasp them, and the man of crime is softened 
 by the lessons which tney teach. They are 
 mute but impressive preachers to the human 
 heart, and the silent influence of their fragrant 
 breath mingles with and etherializes the roughest 
 natures. 
 
 “Flowers are God’s thoughts,” saith the poet, and 
 the pure soul reads best these thoughts, and dis¬ 
 covers their holy meaning. They are the di¬ 
 viners of all good, and from the mystic Abyssi¬ 
 nian tree, whose fragrant blossoms bend lov- 
 
 ;e-—- 
 
6 
 
 PEEFACE, 
 
 ingly over the weary traveller, tj the gentle 
 Mimosa, shrinking in itg reproachful sensitive¬ 
 ness from rude approach, they mark the dear¬ 
 est, loveliest traits of human being. 
 
 The offering of flowers, in all ages and in all 
 climes, is the sweetest gift of the lover and the 
 friend. Speaking, like the eye and the lip, what 
 the tongue may not reveal, they are the fitting 
 interpreters of the deep heart thoughts, and while 
 love exists, flowers will ever be its dearest lan¬ 
 guage. 
 
the floral gift. 
 
 ACACIA. 
 
 Acacia, sp .—Class 23, Order 1. 
 
 A shrub with elegant foliage and flowers ; native 
 of warm climates. 
 
 CHASTE LOVE* 
 
 Life of my soul! the love I bear thee 
 Is pure and holy, yet as deep 
 
 As theirs who nightly hover near thee 
 To guard thy spirit even in sleep, 
 
 And vigils o’er thy slumbers keep. 
 
 The angels, who do love thee, dearest, 
 
 Might share in holy love with me, 
 
 And when their whispering thou hearest, 
 
 Be sure my spirit speaks to thee— 
 
 For my own language theirs will be ! 
 
 Dearest! wouldst know how I do love thee ? 
 
 It is not with an earthly fire— 
 
 But as the blessed stars above thee. 
 
 Which we may love, yet not desire— 
 
 And loving, to be like aspire ! 
 
 Duganne. 
 
 , _ 3 * 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 APPLE BLOSSOM. 
 
 Pyrus Malus ,—Class 12, Order 1. 
 
 The flower of a well-known fralt. 
 
 PREFERENCE. 
 
 Distrust me not, mine own, 
 My sighs are all for thee— 
 On thee I think alone, 
 
 Whate’er my fate may be. 
 
 Then smile, beloved, smile, 
 Dispel those maiden fears, 
 
 I would not thus beguile 
 Thy tenderness to tears. 
 
 If others be as fair, 
 
 What are their charms to me, 
 I neither know nor care, 
 
 For thou art all to me. 
 
 Mrs. Seba Smith. 
 
THE FLOUAL GIFT. 
 
 9 
 
 X 
 
 ALOE. 
 
 Aloe —Class 6, Order 1. 
 
 A medicinal plant, and a native of Egypt. 
 
 SOKKO W-D EJECTION. 
 
 0 ! take away that wreath of flowers, 
 Nor bind it on my brow ; 
 
 For what was bright in former hours, 
 
 Is dark and cheerless now. 
 
 There is no light shed on my way, 
 
 Ev’n hope’s pale beam has fled, 
 
 And those I loved, have gone for aye— 
 To the cold realms of the dead. 
 
 Then take away that wreath of flowers, 
 Nor bind it on my brow, 
 
 For what was bright in former hours 
 Is dark and cheerless now. 
 
 
 % 
 
 Marcia Hall. 
 
10 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 AMARANTH. 
 
 Amarantus —Class 21, Order 5. 
 
 A coarse and rather tall plant, a native of India. 
 
 IMM 0 RTALITY . 
 
 I may not wholly die! The green-leaved tree 
 May by the lightning’s fearful stroke be rent; 
 Its lordly trunk may to the earth be bent, 
 And die—but there is no such death for me. 
 
 As the tree falleth it shall rest for aye, 
 
 When the flower droops it will not bloom 
 again ; 
 
 Nor shall the bird by some rude archer slain,' 
 Awake and sing—but I may never die 
 
 Though through my veins the blood may 
 cease to fly; 
 
 Though from my eye the lustre may depart, 
 And the quick pulses stop within the heart; 
 Yet, even in death, I cannot wholly die ! 
 
 J. L. Chester. 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 11 
 
 ANEMONE. 
 
 . Anemone Virginiana —Class 13, Order 13. 
 
 A beautiful and delicate wild flower blossoming very early. 
 
 ANTICIPATION. 
 
 We’ll have a cot 
 
 Upon the banks of some meandering stream, 
 Whose ripple, like the murmur of a dream, 
 Shall be our music ; roses there shall twine 
 Around the casement, with the jessamine, 
 Whose starry blossoms shine out from beneath 
 Their veiling leaves, like hope, and whose 
 faint breath 
 
 Is sweet as memory’s perfume. All the flowers 
 That nature in her richest bounty showers, 
 Shall deck our home ; fresh violets that, like 
 light [bright 
 
 And love and hope, dwell every where ; the 
 And fragrant honeysuckle ; while our feet 
 Shall press the daisy’s bloom. Oh ! ’twill be 
 sweet 
 
 To sit within the porch at even tide [side. 
 And drink the breath of Heaven at thy dear 
 
 Mrs. Embury. 
 
 X 
 
 % 
 
X -* 
 
 12 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 ASPEN 
 
 Populus Tremuloides —Class 22, Order 8. 
 
 A email American tree, whose leaves have such long stems 
 that they are easily moved by'the slightest wind. 
 
 LAMENTATION. 
 
 There was a church-yard, and an open grave, 
 Which a small band of thoughtful villagers 
 Gather’d around. Pressing more near its brink 
 A slender boy, of some few summers stood, 
 Sole mourner for the dead,—his watchful eye 
 Fixed on the coffin.—When they let it down 
 Into the darksome pit, and the coarse earth 
 From the grave-digger’s shovel falling, gave 
 A hollow sound, there rose such bitter wail, 
 Prolonged and deep, as I had never heard 
 Come from a child. Then he, who gave with 
 prayers 
 
 The body to the dust, when the last rite 
 Was finished, turned with sympathizing look 
 And said “ Poor boy your mother will not 
 sleep 
 
 In this cold, bed forever.” 
 
 Mrs. Sigourney. 
 
 - X 
 
%- 
 
 ■he floral gift. 
 
 13 
 
 AMERICAN LINDEN. 
 
 Platanus Accidental^— Class 21, Order 7. 
 
 TEs well-known Buttonwood: bo agreeable for its ebade. 
 
 matrimony. 
 
 When on thy bosom I recline, 
 Enraptured still to call thee mine. 
 
 To call the mine for life, 
 
 I glory in the sacred ties. 
 
 Which modern wits and foote despise, 
 Of husband and of wife. 
 
 Have I a wish ?—’tis all her own; 
 
 All hers and mine are rolled in one 
 Our hearts are so entwined, 
 
 That like the ivy round the tree, 
 Bound up in closest amity, 
 
 ’Tis death to be disjoined. 
 
 Lyndley Murray. 
 
 % 
 
14 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 K 
 
 • 5 ? 
 
 AMERICAN STAR WORT. 
 
 Stellana sp .—Class 10, Order 3. 
 
 A delicate plant, with white starry blossoms. 
 WELCOME TO A STRANGER. 
 
 Lady, thou cam’st from a stranger land, 
 And little of thee I know ; 
 
 Yet thou art joined to the fading band 
 Of travellers here below. 
 
 And thou art of woman's form and mien, 
 Hast a woman's heart within ; 
 
 And, by thine ejm and thy brow, I ween 
 Her sorrows with thee have been. 
 
 Thy Father is mine, and mine is thine; 
 
 We both are His equal care ; 
 
 His goodness, and love, and blessings benign 
 We each as his children share. 
 
 X. 
 
 In sympathy, then, I give thee a hand 
 And greet thee as thus we go, 
 
 And pledge a renewal in that bright land 
 Where pleasures perenial glow. 
 
 Mrs. Jane E. Locke. 
 
 -% 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 
 15 
 
 BAY LEAF. 
 
 Laurus JVobilis —Class 9, Order 1. 
 
 An ornamental evergreen, from Italy. 
 
 I CHANGE BUT IN DYING. 
 
 I change but in dying! for long have I known 
 The spell which thy loveliness, round me 
 has thrown 
 
 I change but in dying, and while life shall last, 
 I am ever the same ; as in days that are past. 
 
 I change but in dying ! the trials of earth 
 May gather around me, and darken my path, 
 But true as the needle,which points to the pole 
 Will my heart turn to thee—thou beloved of 
 my soul. 
 
 K- 
 
 T. Drew. 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 % - 
 
 16 
 
 BALM. 
 
 Melissa Officinalis ,—Class 14, Order 1. 
 
 
 i 
 
 A fragrant garden Herb, brought from the south of Europe. 
 A CORE. 
 
 Woulds’t thou a wanderer reclaim, 
 
 A wild and reckless spirit tame, 
 
 Check the warm flow of youthful blood, 
 And lead the lost one back to God ? 
 Pause, if thy spirit’s wrath be stirred— 
 Speak not to him a bitter word ; 
 
 Speak not—that bitter word may be 
 The stamp that seals his destiny. 
 
 If widely he has gone astray, 
 
 And dark excess has marked his way, 
 ’Tis pitiful—but yet beware ! 
 
 Reform must come from kindly care ; 
 Forbid thy parting lips to move, 
 
 But in the gentle tones of love ; 
 
 Though sadly his young heart has erred, 
 Speak not to him a bitter word. 
 
 K--So 
 
THE FLORAE Oll’T. 
 
 —X 
 
 17 
 
 BELL FLOWER 
 
 Uvularia Sessilifolia —Class 6, Order 1. 
 
 a dellcato drooping flower, pale yellow, found in the woods 
 of North America. 
 
 CO NSTANCY 
 
 I know that thou art far away. 
 
 Yet in my own despite, 
 
 Thy still expectant glances stray, 
 Inquiring for thy sight. 
 
 Though all too sure, that thy sweet face 
 Can bless no glance of mine, 
 
 At every turn in every place, 
 
 My eyes are seeking thine, 
 
 I hope—how vain the hope, I know— 
 That some propitious chance 
 May bring thee here again to know 
 Thy sweetness on my glance. 
 
 But, loveliest one, where’er thou art 
 Whate’er be my despair, 
 
 Mine eyes will seek thee, and my heart 
 WiL love thee everywhere. 
 
 2 
 
 James Nack. 
 
18 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 BIRCH. 
 
 Betula sp ;—Class 21, Order 8. 
 
 An ornamental tree of temperate climateo, 
 GRACEFULNESS. 
 
 I fill this cup, to One made up, of loveliness 
 alone 
 
 A woman, of her gentle sex the seeming 
 paragon, 
 
 To whom the better elements, and kindly 
 stars have given, 
 
 A form so fair, that like the air ’tis less of 
 earth than heaven. 
 
 Edward C. Pinckney. 
 
 As the bird in tropic bowers 
 Ever waves its sportive wing, 
 
 ’Mid the bright and balmy flowers, 
 Without voice of sorrowing; 
 
 So will joy and smiles, thy hours 
 Fit, thou light and fairy thing. 
 
 JV. C. Brooke. 
 
 X - 1 —_-:-:- $ 
 
19 
 
 »- 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 BOX. 
 
 Buziis Semper virena —Class 21, Order 4. 
 Dwarf evergreen slimbs, from Europe. 
 
 INDIFFERENCE. 
 
 Take back, take back thy promises , 
 Take back, take back thy love, 
 
 They say ’tis all ideal bliss 
 Fleeting as sunbeams move: 
 
 And that ’twill quickly pass away, 
 
 And not a chord remain 
 
 To vibrate at affection’s touch, 
 
 With such sweet joy again. 
 
 Then give me back the light, warm heart 
 I held in youth’s bright morn; 
 
 It can’t endure indifference, 
 
 ’Twould break beneath thy scorn. 
 
 Mrs. Locks. 
 
%■ 
 
 THS FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 20 
 
 ■m 
 
 BLACK THOKN. 
 
 Rkamnu3 Catharticus —Class 5, Order 1. 
 
 A shrub, with dark glossy leaves, and bearing very black 
 berries; a native of England. 
 
 DIFFICULTY. 
 
 Friends depart, and memory takes them 
 To her caverns pure and deep ; 
 
 And a forc’d smile only wakes them, 
 From the shadows where they sleep, 
 Who shall school the heart’s affection? 
 
 Who shall banish its regret ? 
 
 If you blame my deep dejection 
 Teach, oh! teach me to forget. 
 
 One who hopelessly remembers, 
 
 Cannot bear a dawning light; 
 
 He would rather watch the embers 
 Of a love that once was bright; 
 
 Who shall school the heart’s affection? 
 
 Who shall banish its regret ? 
 
 If you blame my deep dejection, 
 
 Teach oh! teach mr to forget! 
 
BUTTERCUP. 
 
 Ranunculus Acris —Class 13, Order 6. 
 
 Brilliant golden flowers, found in wet meadows ; common 
 both, in America and Europe, 
 
 CHILDISHNESS. 
 
 A fair v form is frolicking 
 In beauty round me now, 
 
 With cheek of sunbright loveliness 
 And fair and beaming brow. 
 
 He sporteth now around my feet, 
 
 In gambols free and wild 
 A thing of youth and gentleness, 
 
 A gladsome, winsome, child! 
 
 He spyeth now a butterfly, 
 
 And boundeth o’er the green— 
 The daisies and the buttercups 
 He heedeth not, I ween 
 His little hands he clappeth, 
 
 By the winged sprite beguiled, 
 And laugheth in his gladsomeness, 
 The happy, thoughtless child. 
 
 Duganne. 
 
X 
 
 22 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 ■» 
 
 BACHELOR’S BUTTON. 
 
 Oomphrena Olobosa .—Class 5, Order 2. 
 
 Highly ornamental garden plants, with crimson, white.and 
 striped red and white flowers ; native of the East Indies. 
 
 HOPE AND LOVE. 
 
 Whate’er. the grief that dims my eye, 
 Whate’er the cause of sorrow, 
 
 We turn us weeping to the sky, 
 
 And say, “ we’ll smile to-morrow.” 
 
 And when from those we love we part, 
 From hope, we comfort borrow, 
 
 And whisper to our aching heart, 
 
 ‘‘We’ll meet again to-morrow.” 
 
 But when to-morrow comes, ’tis still 
 An image of to-day, 
 
 Still tears our heavy eyelids fill, 
 
 Still mourn we those away. 
 
 And when that morrow too is past, 
 
 (A yesterday of sorrow;) 
 
 Hope, smiling, cheats us to the last, 
 
 With visions of to-morrow. 
 
 X. 
 
 
 Caroline Norton. 
 
--—-a? 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 23 
 
 BRAMBLE. 
 
 Ruhus sp .—Class 12, Order 5. 
 
 Prickly-stemmed plants, witli fragrant, sbowy flower's, of 
 wloicla the Bridal rose” is an example. 
 
 REMORSE. 
 
 The gloomy shadows of the tomb 
 Over that proud one spread ; 
 
 And by the pulseless limb he felt 
 A hastening to the dead. 
 
 He saw his cherished dreams depart, 
 
 His matchless powers decay ; 
 
 And e’vn his lofty titled hopes 
 Fade in that mist away. 
 
 He stretched his vision onward, far 
 Beyond the cheerless tomb ; 
 
 His spirit shrunk, for Bethlehem’s star 
 Illumined not the gloom. 
 
 In anguish gathering up his strength, 
 Remorse ! Remorse ! he cried; 
 
 Remorse ! engrave it with my name 
 As to my fame allied. 
 
 Mrs. Locks. 
 
 a ________■ 
 
THE FLORAL SIFT. 
 
 X - 
 
 24 
 
 IK 
 
 CLINGING WOODBINE. 
 
 Lunicera Periclymenon ,—Class 1, Order 5. 
 
 Flowers white and pale red ; vary fragrant. 
 
 A 
 
 FRATERNAL LOVE. 
 
 My brother—ere thy lips could speak, 
 
 Thy merry laugh was wild and free, 
 
 And when the tear-drop wet thy cheek, 
 
 It told a tale of grief to me. 
 
 When first thy tiny feet did stray, 
 
 Around our childhood’s cheerful home, 
 
 I mingled in thy childish play, 
 
 And dreamed o’er happy days to come. 
 
 Those dreams of golden light are fled, 
 With all the hopes that they could give, 
 
 The earliest flowers of life are dead, 
 
 Yet memory bids their spirits live. 
 
 But though our way be rough and stern, 
 
 And adverse storms around us sweep, 
 
 Still upward may our footsteps turn, 
 
 Where angels dry the eyes that weep. 
 
 Charles II. Brainard. 
 
 --------- $5 
 
fSc* 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 - 3 ? 
 
 25 
 
 %- 
 
 CATALPA PLOWER. 
 
 Catalpa Syingefolia —Class 2, Order 1. 
 
 TLe blossom of a rich-looking, broad-leaved tree, of North 
 America ; white, and very showy 
 
 BEWARE OF THE COQUETTE. 
 
 « ' 
 
 Keep away ! Keep away ! 
 
 Too bright is her glance, 
 
 And doubt soon will stay 
 Hope’s frolicsome dance— 
 
 Keep away' 
 
 Keep away ! Keep away! 
 
 Too sweet is her tone, 
 
 E’er long it will sway, 
 
 But ne’er echo thine own,— 
 
 Keep away! 
 
 Keep away ! keep away ! 
 
 Too great is thy bliss, 
 
 And sadness alway 
 
 Blasts delight such as this,— 
 Keep away 1 
 
 H. T. Tuckerman. 
 
 % 
 
THE FLORAL SIFT. 
 
 % - 
 
 26 
 
 
 CEDAR TREE. 
 
 Juniperus Virginiana ,—Class 21, Order 13. 
 
 A well-known evergreen tree, with dark red and very 
 fragrant wood. 
 
 THINK OF ME. 
 
 I enow thou art loved by another now, 
 
 I know thou wilt never be mine, 
 
 But take from me still my heart’s pure vow, 
 I ask thee not now for thine ! 
 
 Yet though others be with thee in gaudy light 
 And thy thoughts and thy love be theirs 
 Oh! think of me here when thou readest at 
 night, 
 
 And remember me in your prayers. 
 
 L. J. Cist. 
 
 
 •H 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 —X 
 27 
 
 YELLOW CARNATION. 
 
 Dianthus Caryophylus .—Class 10, Order 2. 
 
 A magnificent and highly-scented garden flower. 
 
 DISD AIN. 
 
 He came too late !—neglect had tried 
 Her constancy too long ; 
 
 Her love had yielded to her pride, 
 
 And the deep sense of wrong. 
 
 She scorned the offering of a heart, 
 Which lingered on its way, 
 
 Till it could no delight impart 
 Nor spread one cheering ray. 
 
 He came too late !—the subtle chords, 
 
 Of love were all unbound, 
 
 Not by offence of spoken words, 
 
 But by the slights that wound. 
 
 She knew that life had nothing now 
 That could the past repay, 
 
 Yet she disdained his tardy vow, 
 
 And coldly turned away. 
 
 Elizabeth Bogart. 
 
 # _____ ^ 
 
28 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 CANTERBURY BELL. 
 
 Campanula Medium ,—Class 5, Order 1. 
 
 A showy garden biennial, with large deep blue, and bell 
 shaped flowers. 
 
 GRATITUDE. 
 
 Rich, though poor! 
 
 My low-roofed cottage is this hour a Heaven! 
 Music is in it—and the song she sings, 
 
 That sweet voiced wife of mine, arrests the ear 
 Of my young child awake upon her knee ; 
 And with his calm eye on his master’s face 
 My noble hound lies couchant. * * * * 
 
 Tiiou, who look’st 
 
 Upon my brimming heart this tranquil eve, 
 Knowest its fullness, as Thou dost the dew 
 Sent to the hidden violet by Thee ! 
 
 And as that flower from its unseen abode 
 Sends its sweet breath duly up to the sky, 
 Changing its gift to incense—so, O God ! 
 
 May the sweet drops, that to my humble cup 
 Find their far way from Heaven, send back 
 in prayer 
 
 Fragrance at thy throne welcome ! 
 
 Willis. 
 
 K—----- % 
 
/ 
 
 96- 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 29 
 
 CHAMOMILE. 
 
 Anthemis Nobilis ,—Class 19, Order 2. 
 
 A garden herb of fragrant bitter odor, flowers very pretty, 
 and possessing valuable medici n a l qualities. 
 
 ENERGY IN ADVERSITY. 
 
 Tell me not, in mournful numbers, 
 Life is but an empty dream, 
 
 For the soul is dead that slumbers, 
 And things are not what they seem. 
 
 Life is real—life is earnest— 
 
 And the grave is not its goal! 
 
 Dust thou art—to dust returnest— 
 Was not spoken to the soul, 
 
 Let us then be up and doing, 
 
 With a heart for every fate ; 
 
 Still achieving—still pursuing— 
 Learn to labor and to wait. 
 
 Longfellow ; 
 
 k 
 
*- 
 
 30 
 
 the floral gift. 
 
 H 
 
 COWSLIP. 
 
 Primula Fem,—Class 5, Order 1. 
 
 An earty yellow flower, native of England.but cultivated In 
 \ gardens. 
 
 fensivenesjs. 
 
 Let not the shadows of the past 
 1 heir sadness o’er you fling— 
 
 Ut moments far too bright to last, 
 Darkened by sorrow’s wing; 
 
 ° nl°r J whlch ( ro ? y° u long have fled, 
 
 Oh. do not think with pain ; 
 
 Fast sorrows, joys, and fears are dead— 
 
 1 ney come not back again. 
 
 Oh! ne’er indulge in darksome fears— 
 
 .Let Hope s ray fill thy breast; 
 iT 6 /!?* if- bought to other years— 
 
 All things come for the best 
 
 Judge not the Future by the Past, 
 
 YVhate er thy sorrows be, 
 
 But cdmly trust that thou at last 
 “halt be from sorrow free. 
 
 a- 
 
 x 
 
fc- 
 
 THE FLORAL eiFT. 3l 
 
 -» 
 
 CHINA ASTER. 
 
 Aster Chinensis ,—Class 19, Order 2. 
 
 A splendid garden annual, with single and double flowers, 
 of various tiuea ; a native of Ctiina. 
 
 LOVE OF VARIETY. 
 
 To sigh, yet feel no pain, 
 
 To weep, yet scarce know why 
 To sport an hour with beauty’schain, 
 Then throw it idly by ;— 
 
 To kneel at many a shrine, 
 
 Yet lay the heart on none ; 
 
 To think all other charms divine, 
 
 But those we just have won; 
 
 This is love—careless love— 
 
 Such as kindleth hearts that rove. 
 
32 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 CROCUS. 
 
 Crocus Vernus ,—Class 3, Order 1. 
 
 Lovely little early flowers, with purple, white, blue, and 
 yellow blossoms ; a native of Europe 
 
 — 
 
 CHEERFULNESS* 
 
 Oh ! why delight to wrap the soul 
 In pall of fancied sadness ? 
 
 'Twere best be merry while we live, 
 
 And paint our cheeks with gladness ; 
 What if hope tells a “ flattering tale,” 
 
 And mocks us by deceiving, 
 
 ’Tis better far to be content,— 
 
 There’s nothing made by grieving. 
 
 The girls, Heaven bless their precious souls ! 
 
 Are thick as bees about us. 
 
 And every mother’s son well knows— 
 
 They could not do without us, 
 
 They’re dangerous though to meddle with, 
 For they too are deceiving 
 They’ll win and laugh, then flirt you—-yet 
 There’s nothing made by grieving. 
 
 Lawrence Labrce. 
 
%r 
 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 33 
 
 CYPRESS. 
 
 Cupresstis Sempervirens ,—Class 21, Order 8. 
 
 A tree from the Island of Cypruss. m 
 DEATH. 
 
 Is it so terrible 
 
 To die, when we are weary of the world— 
 To cast away the trials and the cares 
 Of life, as doth the glorious morning sun 
 Cast off the clouds of night ? * * * * 
 ****** W hat though the ills 
 And sorrows of humanity do press, 
 
 With heavy weight upon us;—like the flow’rs, 
 That bend at eve beneath the heavy dew, 
 
 Yet when the glorious sunlight beameth forth 
 Spring gladly up, awakened by its rays, 
 
 And renovated by the very load [earth,— 
 
 Of moisture which had bowed them to the 
 So shall the cares, the sorrows, and the pains 
 Of human being but invigorate 
 The soul, when soon the sun of Righteousness 
 Shall burst in holy splendor. 
 
 X- 
 
 Duganne. 
 
34 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 CHERRY BLOSSOM. 
 
 Csrasus sp .—Class 12, Order 1. 
 
 The flower of a rich fruit brought, originally from Aoia. 
 
 SPIRITUAL BEAUTV. 
 
 The downy cheek, so red, so fair, 
 
 The bosom’s snowy whiteness ; 
 
 The pouting lips so red, and rare, 
 
 The eye with sparkling brightness, 
 Are beauties like the summer leaf, 
 Which wintry winds decay, 
 
 Which envious time, that cruel thief, 
 Will surely steal away. 
 
 But when conjoined with them we find 
 Charms that surpass all beauty, 
 
 A virtuous heart, a feeling mind, 
 
 Our love becomes a duty. 
 
 Then mad are those who wildly range 
 To all but beauty blind, 
 
 For time nor place can ever change 
 The beauties of "the mind. 
 
-----ae 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 35 
 
 CARNATION. 
 
 Dianthus Caryophylus ,—Class 10, Order 2. 
 
 A magnificent and very fragrant garden flower 
 PRIDE. 
 
 It is a blessed impulse, wrought 
 Within us by the glorious thought, 
 
 That tells in moments free from sin, 
 
 Our high and star-twin’d origin. 
 
 They call it wrong, unholy, vain— 
 
 The struggle of a soul insane ! 
 
 It is not vain, the Pride, that thrills 
 Our sprits, nerving them to ills ; 
 
 The pride that bears us through the world, 
 With tranquil brow and lip uncurled, 
 
 And an undying trust within, 
 
 A glimpse of glory yet to be— 
 
 An Eden hope, that charms from sin, 
 And smiles along life’s stormy sea. 
 
 Mrs. Osgood. 
 
 ae-.— - 
 
X ---* 
 
 36 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 COLUMBINE. 
 
 Aquilegia sp. —Class 13, Order 4. 
 
 Hardy and pretty flowers, of purple, crimson, blue, or white 
 colors, and growing in every temperate climate. 
 
 DESERTION. 
 
 In vain to me the morning dawns, 
 
 Joy comes not with its beam; 
 
 In vain to me the flowrets spring, 
 
 And sun-rays kiss the stream : 
 
 In vain the wild birds carol sweet, 
 
 No joy their notes impart; 
 
 Nor sun, nor bird, nor flower can bring 
 Joy to a broken heart. 
 
 Why is it that our brightest hopes 
 The soonest fade away ? 
 
 Why, when peace makes our heart her shrine, 
 Doth fate forbid her stay ; 
 
 Why when with pleasure’s flowery wreath 
 Our temples we adorn, 
 
 Doth sorrow’s blight, the blossom mar, 
 
 And leave us but the thorn. 
 
 Mrs. J. Webb. 
 
 » -- --- 
 
% --~— 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 37 * 
 
 DAMASK ROSE. 
 
 Rosa Damascena ,—Class 12, Order 3. 
 
 A delightful scented variety of the rose, with pale red, and 
 double flowers. 
 
 BASHFUL LOVE. 
 
 I have a secret tale to tell, 
 
 But cannot, must not now reveal it, 
 
 Yet still I think ’tis known too well, 
 
 The more I’m anxious to conceal it. 
 
 Whene’er I strive to make it known, 
 
 Thy presence eVer makes me waver— 
 
 Swift from my mind all thoughts are gone 
 But those that would preserve thy favor. 
 
 Shall I declare it—beauteous one ? 
 
 Say, will not those sweet lips reprove me ? 
 Will not those features coldly frown,— 
 
 If I should tell—how much I love thee ? 
 
 -—-X 
 
38 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 %■ 
 
 DANDELION. 
 
 Leontodon, Taraxacum ,—Class 19, Order 1. 
 
 A naturalized weed, from England ; yellow, flowers, which, 
 open a little after sunrise, and close before sunset. 
 
 COQUETRY. 
 
 The heart to me once promised, 
 
 If not for me alone, 
 
 Oh give to him more favored 
 Who claims it for his own 
 Go thou, by truth invited, 
 
 My heart less grief shall prove, 
 
 To know its passion slighted 
 Than share thy faithless love. 
 
 A. JYTMakin. 
 
 I know a maiden fair to see, 
 
 Take care ! 
 
 She can both false and friendly be, 
 Beware! Beware! 
 
 Trust her not, 
 
 She is fooling thee ! 
 
 Longfellow. 
 
 % 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 39 
 
 
 3? 
 
 DOUBLE DAISY. 
 
 Beilis Hortensis ,—Class 19, Order 2. 
 
 As tumble garden plant, with light crimson blossoms 
 brought from England 
 
 PARTICIPATION. 
 
 Let no man value at a little price _ _ 
 A virtuous woman’s counsel; her wing’d spirit 
 Is feathered oftentimes with heavenly words, 
 And, like her beauty, ravishingly pure ; 
 
 The weaker body, still the stronger soul. 
 
 O, what a treasure is a virtuous wife, 
 Discreet and loving ! not one gift of earth 
 Makes a man’s soul so highly bound to 
 Heaven! 
 
 She gives him double forces to endure 
 And to enjoy, by being one with him, 
 Feeling his joys and griefs with equal sense. 
 
 Old, Play. 
 
40 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 DAHLIA. 
 
 Dahlia Frustranea ,—Class 19, Order 3. 
 
 A gorgeous plant with flowers of every variety of hue, and 
 highly prized. ---Mexico. 
 
 ELOQUENCE AND DIGNITY. 
 
 Before the Roman conqueror she stood, 
 
 In all the dignity of womanhood, 
 
 When fondly pleading, on her mission high, 
 For all she loves on earth, when doomed to 
 die. 
 
 The conq’ror, conquered by her higher sway, 
 Beheld her melt in tears of love away— 
 
 As when the-vestal of the Holy’s fane 
 Doth bend her sacred form, and stoop to reign. 
 In eloquence, that seemed to be of Heav’n 
 She plead in tears; and all she asked was 
 given. 
 
 James S. Jhjlward. 
 
THE FLOKAL GIFT. 
 
 — 3 ? 
 
 41 
 
 % 
 
 DEW PLANT. 
 
 Mesembryanlhemum Lucidum ,—Class 12, Order 2. 
 
 A bright glossy, succulent leaved plant, with small crim¬ 
 son blossoms.—Cape of Good Hope. 
 
 SERENADE. 
 
 Oh wake thee, lady, wake— 
 
 The stars are on the sea, 
 
 And the holy torches burn 
 But for thee, love, for thee ! 
 
 Oh wake thee, lady, wake— 
 
 In the days sweet prime 
 Other voices whisper thee, 
 
 Winning tones from thine. 
 
 But at night, but at night, 
 
 Wake for me, wake for me, _ 
 
 When the burning stars are bright, 
 
 On the quiet sea, 
 
 Wht n the moon is softly beaming, . 
 
 And I come to thee. 
 
 And the jessamine buds are gleaming 
 Wake thee, love, for me. 
 
 S- 
 
 - 5 * 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 % - 
 
 42 
 
 ■3$ 
 
 DRAGON PLANT. 
 
 Arum Dracontium ,—Class 21, Order 7. 
 
 A grotesque blossom, with a long pointed body protruding 
 from its centre, like a serpent's tongue.—N. America. 
 
 A SNARE. 
 
 Pray thee maiden, hear him not! 
 
 Take thou warning by my lot; 
 
 Read my scroll, and mark thou all 
 I can tell thee of thy thrall. 
 
 Thou hast owned thy youthful breast, 
 Treasures its most dangerous guest; 
 Thou hast owned that love is there ; 
 Though no features he may wear, 
 
 Such, as would a saint deceive, 
 
 Win a skeptic to believe,— 
 
 Only for a time that brow, 
 
 Will seem what ’ tis seeming now. 
 
 L. E. Landon. 
 
 K 
 
 
X 
 
 THE FLOKAL GIFT. 
 
 "X 
 
 43 
 
 EVERGREEN. 
 
 Lycopodium sp ,—Class 24, Order 3. 
 
 Trailing plants, in woods, keeping green all tlia year. 
 
 POVERTY ANP WORTH. 
 
 It grew not, in that golden clime 
 Where painted birds in bowers as gay, 
 Their notes on tropic breezes chime, 
 
 While nature keeps her holiday. 
 
 ’Neath northern skies, its leaflets first 
 Expanded to the wooing air, 
 
 And in the lonely wild-wood nurst, 
 
 It learned the northern blasts to bear. 
 
 Transplanted from its simple home, 
 
 By rocky dell or wind-swept hill, 
 
 Like birds in stranger climes that roam, 
 
 And keep their native wood-notes still. 
 
 Still in its modest verdure drest 
 
 It lives unchanged with change of scene, 
 An emblem of its wearer’s breast 
 Of truth and purity within. 
 
 X _ % 
 
 / 
 
%— 
 .44 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 * 
 
 EVERLASTING. 
 
 Gnaphalium ,—Class 19, Order 2. 
 
 Dry pearly-Leaded, blossoming plants, growing wild in the 
 fields ; flowers unfading. 
 
 I THINK OF THEE. 
 
 I think of thee, when evening’s ray 
 Is glancing o’er the sea, 
 
 When gentle twilight shadows play 
 On mountain, vale, and tree. 
 
 That sweet fair form and cheek of rose, 
 Those lips with fragrance wet; 
 
 All, all thy joyous youth disclose— 
 Maiden, I see thee yet. 
 
 I think of thee, when moonbeams rest, 
 Upon each hill and stream, 
 
 When wild deep thoughts within my breast 
 Of fame and glory dream : 
 
 Thy form is near me in each flight 
 That hope and thought pursue ; 
 
 For what were fame and glory bright 
 Unless thou shar’dst them too. 
 
 *- % 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 45 
 
 ELM. 
 
 Ulmus sp .—Class 5, Order 2. 
 
 The finest of all our ornamental trees,native of Europe and 
 Am erica, 
 
 DIGNITY AND GRACE. 
 
 She walks in beauty like the night 
 Of cloudless climes and starry skies ; 
 
 And all that’s best of dark and bright 
 Meets in her aspect and her eyes ; 
 
 Thus mellowed to that tender light 
 Which Heaven to gaudy day denies. 
 
 One shade the more, one ray the less, 
 Had half impaired the nameless grace 
 
 Which waves in every raven tress, 
 
 Or softly lightens o’er her face. 
 
 Where thoughts serenely-sweet express, 
 How pure, how dear their dwellingplace, 
 
 Byron. 
 
46 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 2 * 
 
 % 
 
 %- 
 
 \ 
 
 FERN 
 
 Polypodium. Vulgare ,—Class 24, Order 1. 
 
 A dwarfish shrub, growing in crevices of shady rocks, and 
 bearing its seeds on its leaf ; North. America. 
 
 FASCINATION. 
 
 There’s not a waste, there’s not a gloom, 
 But has its sunny spot, 
 
 And hours ’mid saddest life may bloom 
 Too sweet to be forgot: 
 
 Such was that hour, so calm, so bright, 
 Which first revealed her to my sight. 
 
 I’ve dwelt, proud Thames,amid thybowers— 
 Glad Rhine, I’ve trod thy strand— 
 
 I’ve gazed on the gems and fairest flowers 
 Of many a distant land,— 
 
 Have gazed on the gentle, the wise, and the 
 fair. 
 
 But on none —no not one —that with her might 
 compare ! 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 47 
 
 FLOWERING REED. 
 
 Canna Indica, —Class 1, Order 1. 
 
 A tropical plant, with broad leaves, and a spike of scarlet 
 flowers; East Indies. 
 
 CONFIDENCE IN HEAVEN* 
 
 When memory paints with pencil blue, 
 
 The scenes where youth delighted roved, 
 
 She throws o’er none so sweet a hue 
 As robes the home of her I loved. 
 
 Each tree, each flower that flourished there, 
 In former beauty seems to vvave; 
 
 I seem to breathe my native air, 
 
 ’Mid friends who’re sleeping in the grave. 
 
 But soon their shades of joy depart, 
 
 And present sorrows start to view—■ 
 
 Memory, like hope, still mocks the heart 
 With visions sweet—but fleeting too. 
 
 But faith points out yon radiant Heaven, 
 And bids the mourner not despair, 
 
 Whispering, afflictions are but given, 
 
 Like angel-wings, to waft us there ! 
 
48 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 X 
 
 -x 
 
 FUSCHIA. 
 
 Fuschia Coccinea ,—Class 8, Order 1. 
 
 A small shrubby plant, with crimson and purple blossoms; 
 resembling a pendent ear-ring ; Chili. 
 
 HUMBLE LOVE. 
 
 Fair lady, though low is our cot in the vale, 
 Thy person is safe and secure 
 No fear that the world will your quiet assail 
 The nobler will ne’er harm the poor: 
 
 Here truth and contentment will go hand in 
 hand, 
 
 And health will our pleasures increase 
 And though we can boast not of riches or land 
 Our cot is the cottage of Peace. 
 
 Fair lady, then come to our cot in the vale, 
 Where innocence holds its retreat 
 Where the sweet little chorister carols his tale 
 And the woodbine secures you from heat. 
 Though mansions of power surrounded by 
 wealth 
 
 The pride of the great may increase, 
 
 The humble thatched roof is the dwelling of 
 health, 
 
 And our cot is the cottage of peace. 
 
 *- --— % 
 
THE FLOBAL (JIFT. 
 
 49 
 
 FORGET ME NOT. 
 
 Myosotis Scorpioides ,—Class 5, Order 6. 
 A delicate pale-blue flower.—England. 
 
 TRUE LOVE. 
 
 Let me not to the marriage of true minds 
 Admit impediments. Love is not love 
 Which alters when it alteration finds, 
 
 Or bends with the remover to remove ; 
 
 0 no ! it is an ever fixed mark, 
 
 That looks on tempests and is never shaken ; 
 It is the star to every wandering bark, 
 Whose worth’s unknown, although his hight 
 be taken. 
 
 Love’s not time’s fool, though rosy lips and 
 cheeks 
 
 Within his bending sickle’s compass come; 
 Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, 
 But bears it out e’en to the edge of doom. 
 
 If this be error and upon me proved, 
 
 I never writ, nor no man ever loved. 
 
 Shakspeare. 
 
 5* - 
 
 4 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 '5c 
 
 % - 
 
 50 
 
 FOX GLOVE. 
 
 Digitalis Pupurea ,—Class 14, Order 2. 
 
 A tall, graceful plant, with very long stems, which are cov¬ 
 ered with purple or white flowers.—Great Britain. 
 
 I AM AMBITIOUS ONLY FOR YOU. 
 
 Not for myself alone,do I desire 
 To reach the glorious heights of far-off 
 fame;— 
 
 ’Tislove of thee—which prompts me to aspire 
 And kindles in my heart, ambition’s flame. 
 
 Not for myself alone would I expend 
 Long years in study and in painful thought, 
 
 But for the hope that ere my life shall end 
 Thou wilt rejoice to share my better lot. 
 
 For nought to me, is fame,—-and I could be 
 Content to walk through life, unsought, 
 unknown, 
 
 But heaven for brighter things has destined 
 thee— 
 
 And for thy sake I seek fame’s laurel 
 crown. 
 
 T. Drew. 
 
 iK- % 
 
ft- 5 - - ---—ft 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. Si 
 
 FLAX FLOWER. 
 
 Linium Usitatissimwrti ,—Class 5, Order 5. 
 
 A well-known plant, with beautiful flowera.—Great 
 Britain. 
 
 OoMESTIC industry. 
 
 The gay belle of fashion may boast of excell¬ 
 ing, 
 
 In waltz or cotillon—at whist or quad¬ 
 rille ; 
 
 And seek admiration by vauntily telling 
 
 Of drawing, and painting, and musical 
 skill: 
 
 But give me the fair one, in country or 
 city. 
 
 Whose home and its duties are dear to her 
 heart, 
 
 Who cheerfully warbles some rustical 
 ditty, 
 
 While plying the needle with exquisite 
 art. 
 
 Samuel Woodworth. 
 
 ft' 
 
 
» - « - ----- - -‘ 
 
 52 -t HE FLORAL GIFi. 
 
 \ 
 
 GILLIPLOWER. 
 
 % 
 
 Malhiola Incana ,—Class 15, Order 1. 
 
 Fragrant flowers of various colors, greatly improved by 
 cultivation. —England. 
 
 BONDS OF AFFCTION. 
 
 What I most prize in woman 
 Is her affection —not her intellect. 
 
 Compare me with the great men of the earthy 
 What am I ? Why, a pigmy among giants! 
 But if thou lovest—mark me, I say lovest— 
 The greatest of thy sex excels thee not! 
 
 The world of affection is Thy world, 
 
 Not that of man’s ambition. In that stillness 
 Which most becomes a woman—calm and 
 holy— 
 
 Love sitteth by the fireside of the heart 
 Feeding its flame. The element of fire 
 Is pure, it cannot change its nature, 
 
 But burns as brightly in a gipsy camp 
 As in a palace hall. 
 
 
 -?! 
 
 Longfellow. 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 —« 
 
 53 
 
 % 
 
 GARDEN MARIGOLD. 
 
 Calendula, Officinalis ,—Class 19, Order 4. 
 
 A yellow flower, among tlie ancients it was sacred 
 to Venus. 
 
 SACRED AFFECTION. 
 
 Oh, in the varied scenes of life, 
 
 Is there a joy so sweet, 
 
 As when amid its busy strife 
 Congenial spirits meet. 
 
 Feelings and thoughts, a fairy band 
 Long hid from mortal sight, 
 
 Then start, to meet the master hand, 
 That calls them into light. 
 
 When, turning o’er some gifted page, 
 How fondly do we pause 
 That dear companion to engage 
 In answering applause ; 
 
 And when we list to music’s sigh, 
 How sweet at every tone, 
 
 To read within another’s eye, 
 
 The rapture of our own. 
 
 ,e.____ . . . 
 
54 
 
 THE FLORAL SIFT. 
 
 % 
 
 -a? 
 
 GERANIUM, OAK-LEAF. 
 
 P. Quercifolium ,—Class 1, Order 2. 
 Umbels sab-many flowered.—Flowers, pale blue. 
 
 TRUE FRIENDSHIP. 
 
 The storm cloud comes o’er the autumn sky, 
 And the flowrets fair, in their beauty die, 
 But friendship true is an evergreen, 
 
 That decayeth not, ’neath a sky serene. 
 
 It blooms a plant, in the better land, 
 
 Where the trees of light in their glory stand, 
 And deathless still shall its beauties seem 
 Till its fruit be love, in the Great Supreme. 
 
 James S. Mylward. 
 
 5*6—---- 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 55 
 
 GERANIUM, MOURNING. 
 
 Pelargonium sp. —Class 16, Order 2. 
 
 Superb green-Louse plants.—Cape of Good Hope. 
 
 DESPOND EN C Y . 
 
 Alas, how bitter are the wrongs of love! 
 Life has no other sorrow so acute: 
 
 For love is made of every fine emotion, . 
 Of generous impulses, and noble thoughts 
 It looketh to the stars, and dreams ol heaven , 
 It nestles ’mid the flowers, and sweetens earth. 
 Love is aspiring, yet is humble too : 
 
 It doth exalt another o’er itselt, , ,. , t 
 With sweet heart homage, which delights to 
 
 That^vhich it worships ; yet is fain to win 
 The idol to its lone and lowly home 
 Of deep affection. ’Tis an utter wreck. 
 When such hopes perish. From that moment, 
 
 lllg 
 
 Has in its depths a well of bitterness, 
 
 To which there is no healing. 
 
 L. E. Landon. 
 
 6€- 
 
 
56 THE FLORAL SIFT. 
 
 GERANIUM, SCARLET. 
 
 Pelargonium Acerifolium — Class 16, Order 2. 
 
 Another variety of the same species, leaves serrated, 
 flowers white. 
 
 TRANQUILLITY OF MIND. 
 
 Mine be the joy which gleams around 
 The hearth where pure affections dwell— 
 Where love enrobed in smiles is found, 
 
 And wraps the spirit with its spell. 
 
 I would not seek excitement’s whirl, 
 
 Where pleasure wears her tinsel crown, 
 And passion’s billows upward curl, 
 
 ’Neath hatred’s darkly gathering frown. 
 
 Let others seek, in wealth, or fame, 
 
 ; A splendid path, whereon to tread— 
 
 I’d rather wear a lowlier name, 
 
 With love’s enchantment’s round it shed. 
 Fame’s but a light to gild the grave, 
 
 And wealth can never calm the breast; 
 But love, a halcyon on life’s wave, 
 
 Hath power to soothe its strifes to rest 
 
 Shrieve. 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 57 
 
 GERANIUM, ROSE. 
 
 Pelargonium Capitatum .—Class 16, Order 2. 
 
 Flowers rose scented, and colored ; very fragrant. 
 
 I PREFER THEE TO ALL OTHERS. 
 
 The sportive sylphs that course the air, 
 Unseen, on wings that twilight weaves, 
 Around the opening rose repair, 
 
 And breathe sweet incense on its leaves. 
 
 They gather gems with sunbeams bright, 
 From floating clouds and falling showers— 
 They rob Aurora’s locks of light, 
 
 To grace their own fair queen of flowers. 
 
 Thus, thus adorned, the speaking rose, 
 Becomes a token fit to tell, 
 
 Of things that words can ne’er disclose, 
 And nought but this reveal so well. 
 
 Then take my flower, and let its leaves 
 Beside thy heart be cherished near, 
 While that confiding heart receives 
 The thought it whispered to thine ear. 
 
 S. O. Ooodrich. 
 
 
58 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 -3? 
 
 \ 
 
 GOLDEN ROD. 
 
 Solidago Speciosa ,—Class 19, Order 2. 
 
 A wild flower, found throughout the United States; 
 blossoms, bright yellow. 
 
 ENCOURAGEMENT. 
 
 As the tears of the even, 
 Illumined at day, 
 
 By the sweet light of heaven, 
 Seem gems on each spray; 
 
 So gladness to-morrow, 
 
 Shall shine on thy brow, 
 
 The more bright for the sorrow 
 That darkens it now. 
 
 Yet, if fortune, believe me, 
 
 Have evil in store, 
 
 Though each other deceive thee, 
 
 I’ll love thee the more. 
 
 As ivy leaves cluster 
 More greenly and fair, 
 
 When winter winds bluster 
 Round trees that are bare. 
 
 William Leggett. 
 
 ---M 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT 
 
 %■ 
 
 HAWTHORN. 
 
 Crataegus Oxycomtha ,—Class 12, Order 1. 
 
 Stout, spiny shrubs, with heads of elegant white or rosy, 
 blossoms, sometimes double.—-England. 
 
 HOPE. 
 
 Hope on! 
 
 Even when thy heaven is clouded, 
 
 Seest thou not, 
 
 Where the dark night is shrouded, 
 
 Stars peep out ?— 
 
 Though they are hidden, still they shine— 
 Soon shalt thou see their light divine. 
 
 Hope on— 
 
 Often the dark shadow falleth 
 Over thy soul!— 
 
 O’er thee the cloud that appalleth— 
 Often doth roll:— 
 
 Yet but remember, light must be, 
 
 Else were the shadow unseen by thee ! 
 
 Duganne. 
 
 
 
60 
 
 THE FLOKAL GIFT. 
 
 
 HEATH.'* 
 
 Erica sp .—Class 8, Order 1. 
 
 Low straggling shrubs, with delicate flowers, and mostly 
 natives of the Cape of Good Hope. 
 
 SOLITUDE. 
 
 I love thee, solitude ! within the vales, 
 
 Or on the hill-tops, where no noisy feet 
 Of men intrude, and where the very gales 
 Play soberly, amid the leaves they greet! 
 No sounds abroad but those 
 Which nature, gives the ear— 
 
 The rivulet that flows 
 Noiseless, almost, and clear— 
 
 The hum of bees, the woodland flowers 
 among, 
 
 And mated birds, that chirp their loving 
 song. 
 
 ae--— 
 
* 
 
 --—VJ 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 61 
 
 HAZEL. 
 
 Corylua Americana ,—Class 21, Order 8. 
 
 A slender North American shruh, blossoming very early. 
 
 RECONCILIATION. 
 
 There’s gladness now in every thing* 
 And beauty over all, 
 
 For every where comes on with spring, 
 A charm which cannot pall! 
 
 The friends T once condemned, are now 
 Affectionate and true; 
 
 I wept a pledged one’s broken vow— 
 But he proves faithful too. 
 
 And now there is a happiness 
 In every thing I see, 
 
 Which bids my soul rise up and bless 
 The God who blesses me. 
 
 Mrs. Dinnles. 
 
 
62 
 
 &■ 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 2 
 
 HELLEBORE. 
 
 Helleborus Niger ,—Class 13, Order 4, 
 
 A plant first introduced from the oouth of Europe ; hears a 
 greenish-colored flower. 
 
 CALUMNY. 
 
 When scandal, breathed in dire discordant 
 sounds, 
 
 Wounds all it strikes, and poisons all it wounds 
 In pity’s healing balm, the tongue should dip, 
 Or silence with the finger seal the lip. 
 
 Why fill the feeling breast with pain and wo ! 
 Steal the best treasures, Heaven can here 
 bestow; 
 
 Why rob the Christian of his spotless fame ? 
 And by detraction blight the purest name ?— 
 Teach me, O God ! to drop a pitying tear, 
 And to their faults be kind, but not severe ; 
 Look with composure on the faults you see, 
 May Heaven the same compassion show to 
 me. 
 
 Si 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 HOLLY. 
 
 Hex Opaca, —CIas3 4, Order 3. 
 
 A dark green-leaved tree, bearing white flowera and ecar- 
 let berries.—North America and Europe. 
 
 DOMESTIC HAPPINESS. 
 
 The dearest boon from Heaven above 
 Is bliss which brightly hallows home ; 
 ’Tis sunlight, to the world of love, 
 
 And life’s pure wine, without its foam. 
 There is a sympathy of heart, 
 
 Which consecrates the social shrine— 
 Robs grief of gloom, and doth impart 
 A joy, to gladness all divine. 
 
 It glances from the kindling eye, 
 
 Which o’er affliction sleepless tends ; 
 It gives deep pathos to the sigh, 
 
 Which anguish from the bosom rends ; 
 It plays around the smiling lip, 
 
 When love bestows the greeting kiss, 
 And sparkles in the cup we sip, 
 
 Round the domestic board of bliss. 
 
 
 % 
 
 Shrieve. 
 
64 
 
 JHE F10HAL GIFT. 
 
 c-? 
 
 K' 
 
 HONEYSUCKLE. 
 
 Caprifolium Semperoirens ,—Class 3, Order 1. 
 
 A beautiful climbing plant, with scarlet blossoms, very 
 fragrant. —North America 
 
 SPIRIT Vision. 
 
 In the lone and silent midnight, 
 
 When the stars are glancing out, 
 
 One by one, like holy beacons, 
 
 ’Mid the darkened sky of doubt— 
 Then I feel within my spirit, 
 
 Breathings of a purer'life— 
 
 Voices of an inward music, 
 
 Calming every thought of strife. 
 
 Light breaks in upon my chamber, 
 
 „ Bight that springeth not in earth— 
 boft and sweet come many whispers— 
 Not in fancy have they birth— 
 
 And around me, mute and voiceless, 
 Forms of more than mortal light, 
 Move with footsteps soft and noiseless— 
 r ix on me their glances bright. 
 
 Duganne. 
 
THE FLOKAL GIFT. 
 
 3? 
 
 65 
 
 HONESTY. 
 
 Lunarie Biennis ,—Class 15, Order 1. 
 
 A gardon plant, with spikes of purple flowers, blooming 
 early in the spring_Germany, 
 
 HONESTY. 
 
 What constitutes the true nobility? 
 
 Not wealth, nor name, nor outward pomp, 
 nor power; 
 
 Fools have them all; and vicious men maybe 
 The idols and the pageants of an hour, 
 
 But ’tis to have a true and honest heart, 
 Above all meanness, and above all crime, 
 And act the right and honorable part, 
 
 In every circumstance of place, and time, 
 He, who is thus, from God his patent takes, 
 His Maker formed him, the true nobleman; 
 Whate’er is low, and vicious he forsakes, 
 And acts on rectitude’s unchanging plan, 
 Things change around him; changes touch 
 not him ; 
 
 The star, that guides his path, fails not, nor 
 waxes dim. 
 
 K- 
 
 
 5 
 
---—-- 3 ? 
 
 66 THK FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 HELIOTROPE. 
 
 Heliotropium Peruvianuvi, —Class 5, Order 1. 
 Exquisitely scented, pale purpel flowers. —Peru. 
 
 DEVOTION. 
 
 She rose from her untroubled sleep. 
 
 And put aside her dark brown hair, 
 
 And in a tone, as low and deep 
 As love’s first whisper, breathed a prayer. 
 0 God ! if souls unsoiled as these, 
 
 Need daily mercy, at thy shrine, 
 
 If she, upon her bended knees, 
 
 Our loveliest, and our purest one, 
 
 She, with a face so clear and bright. 
 
 We deem her, some stray child of light, 
 
 Tf she, with those soft eyes in tears, 
 
 Day after day, in her first years, 
 
 Must kneel and pray for grace from the^e, 
 What far—far deeper need have we ! 
 
 How hardly if she win not Heaven, 
 
 Will our wild errors be forgiven. 
 
 J. O. Whitier. 
 
 _ _ __ — - * 
 
—3S 
 67 
 
 fc- 
 
 THE FLORAL G-1 F T. 
 
 HOU STONIA. 
 
 Houstonia Cmrulia .—Class 4, Order 1. 
 
 A little blue flower, common all over tbe bills of New Eng¬ 
 land, blossoming early in May. 
 
 CONTENT. 
 
 The swan upon the moonlit lake, 
 
 May plume its silver wing; 
 
 The wild bird, in the silent brake, 
 
 A mournful chaunt may sing. 
 
 The maiden, in her father’s hall, 
 
 May trill some olden lay ; 
 
 Yet, shepherd-boy, in cottage wall, 
 
 Can pipe as well as they. 
 
 Give me the life the shepherd leads; 
 
 I’d never ask for more 
 
 Than the breezy mountain-path he treads, 
 Sweet rest, when toil is o’er ;— 
 
 Fresh waters, from affection’s well, 
 
 With health’s unfading beam ; 
 
 And fountain hearts, with wine to swell, 
 
 In one cool, gushing stream, 
 w?- -—_— _ . 4 
 
63 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 HOLLYHOCK. 
 
 Jllthea Rosa ,— Clas3 16, Order 7. 
 
 A very tall, conspicuous garden ornament, originally from 
 J China. 
 
 AMBITION. 
 
 Is there, for honest poverty, 
 
 That hangs his head, and a’ that; 
 
 The coward-slave, we pass him by, 
 
 We dare be poor for a’ that; 
 
 For a’ that, and a’ that. 
 
 Our toil’s obscure, and a’ that, 
 
 The rank is but the guinea’s stamp 
 The man’s the gowd for a’ that. 
 
 Then let us pray that come it may, 
 
 As come it will for a’ that, 
 
 That sense and worth, o’er a’ the earth, 
 May bear the gree, and a’ that. 
 
 For a’ that, and a’ that, 
 
 It’s coming yet for a’ that, 
 
 That man to man, the warld o’er, 
 
 Shall brothers be for a’ that. 
 
 Barns. 
 
-- 1 -» 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 69 
 
 ICE PLANT. 
 
 Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum .—Class 12, Order 2. 
 
 A singular flat spreading succulent, witA glandular leaves 
 and stems, which, sparkle like bits of ice—Greece. 
 
 YOUR LOOKS FREEZE ME. 
 
 As a beam o’er the face of the waters may 
 glow, 
 
 While the tide runs in darkness and coldness 
 below, 
 
 So the cheek may be tinged with a warm 
 sunny smile, 
 
 Though the cold heart to ruin runs darkly 
 the while. 
 
 Oh ! this thought in the midst of enjoyment 
 will stay 
 
 Like a dead, leafless branch in the summer’s 
 bright ray, 
 
 The beams of the warm sun play round it in 
 
 vain, 
 
 It may smile in his light, but it blooms not 
 again. 
 
 & 
 
 ■W 
 
 Moore. 
 
70 
 
 X 
 
 - 
 
 \ THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 INDIAN CRESS. 
 
 Tropcolum Majus ,—Class 8, Order 1. 
 A showy orange blossoming vine.-—Peru. 
 
 RESIGNATION. 
 
 Oh ! we have met—again thine eye 
 Has poured its radiance on my heart ; 
 
 Again thy voice’s melody 
 Has bid each trembling fibre start. 
 
 But the presumptuous hope was vain, 
 
 By fond delusive fancy taught, 
 
 That absent, I could give thee pain ; 
 
 Or present, claim one tender thought. 
 
 Farewell to fancy’s glittering dream, 
 
 For thee I strike the lyre no more— 
 
 Farewell the dear enchanting theme— 
 
 ’Tis past—the reign of hope is o’er. 
 
 No more shall these thy peace invade, 
 Silent—alone—“ I’ll muse on the« : 
 
 Till on my voice thy name shall fade, 
 
 And death’s last struggle set me free.” 
 k -- —Sd 
 
%■ 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 — % 
 
 711 
 
 IYY. 
 
 Hedera Helix ,—Class 3, Order 1. 
 
 Tall climbing vines, covering trees and old walls, bearing 
 green flowers. 
 
 CLING TO ME. 
 
 'Tis sweet, beloved, to have thee nigh, 
 
 In pleasant converse, thus with me, 
 
 For while these social moments fly, 
 
 T feel my heart still clings to thee. 
 
 Yes, clings to thee with stronger ties 
 Than e’er I felt or knew before, 
 
 As day by day some charm supplies 
 
 That makes me bless thee more and more. 
 
 Thou r’t dear to me through all of time, 
 And in that hour when life takes wing, 
 The thought serene—the hope sublime— 
 Departing, still to thee shall cling, 
 
 But should thou, love, first sink to sleep, 
 And light my worldly path no more, 
 
 My soul shall wait and watch and weep, 
 And cling to thee, though gone before. 
 
 Thomas O. Spear. 
 
72 
 
 THE FLORAE GIFT. 
 
 
 3 ? 
 
 JAPONICA CAMELLIA. 
 
 Camellia sp .—Class 16, Order 7. 
 
 A magnificent evergreen plant, with single or double crim¬ 
 son, red, pink or white blossoms_Japan. 
 
 MY DESTINY IS IN YOUR HANDS. 
 
 Leave me not, thou brightest one— 
 All is joy when thou art near— 
 Thou canst teach my soul to shun 
 Paths of gloom and thoughts of fear. 
 
 I am like the cloud of night, 
 
 Clothed in gloom and mystery— 
 Thou the beaming morning light, 
 Causing all its gloom to flee. 
 
 I am like the airy kite, 
 
 Soaring in the sky above— 
 
 Guided in my lofty flight, 
 
 By the thread of my sweet love. 
 
 Ah ! should fate the chord divide 
 That connects my heart with thine— 
 Wavering, then, without a guide, 
 Darkness and despair are mine. 
 
 JDuganm. 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 % 
 
 "3f 
 
 73 
 
 KING CUP. 
 
 Ranunculus Sulbosus ,—Class 13, Order 4. 
 
 A gold colored flower, growing double under cultivation, 
 found in Europe and North America. 
 
 I WISH I WAS RICH. 
 
 0 knew I the spell of gold, 
 
 I would never poison a fresh young heart, 
 With the taint of customs old, 
 
 I would bind no wreath to my forehead free, 
 In whose shadows 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, where it longs to go, 
 And the limitless wind outflee. 
 
 I’d climb to to the eyries of eagle men, 
 
 Till the stars became a scroll, 
 
 And pour right on, like the even sea, 
 
 In the strength of a governed soul. 
 
 Willis. 
 
 r 
 
74 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 % 
 
 * 
 
 LABURNUM. 
 
 Cytisus Laburnum ,—Class 17, Order .4 
 
 A slender shrub, with drooping branches of yellow b A os- 
 soma, looking like necklaces of gold.—Switzerland. 
 
 PENSIVE BEAUTY. 
 
 Art thou not near me, with thy earnest eyes, 
 That weep forth sympathy !—thy holy brow, 
 Whereon such sweet imaginings do rise : 
 
 Art thou not near me, when I call thee now, 
 Maid of my childhood’s vow ! 
 
 Even like an angel, smiling ’mid the storm, j 
 Wert thou amid the darkness of my woes— j 
 Thy pure thoughts clustering around thy form, | 
 Like seraph garments, whiter than the snows 
 Which the wild sea upthrows. 
 
 Now I behold thee, with thy sorrowing smile, 
 And thy deep soul uplooking from thy face, 
 While sweetly crost upon thy breast the while, 
 Thy white hands do thy holy heart embrace, 
 In its calm dwelling-place ! 
 
 Duganne. 
 
 X --X 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 75 
 
 3? 
 
 LADYS SLIPPER. 
 
 Cypripodium Aeante ,—Class 20, Order 2. 
 
 An Rumble plant, with two large leaves only, and a large 
 pink blossom.—New England. 
 
 CAPRICIOUS BEAUTY. 
 
 Now, out upon this smiling. 
 
 No smile shall meet his sight; 
 
 And a word of gay reviling 
 Is all he’ll hear to night, 
 
 For he’ll hold my smiles too lightly, 
 If he always sees me smile ; 
 
 He’ll think they shine more brightly, 
 When I have frowned awhile. 
 
 ’Tisnot kindness keeps a lover, 
 
 He must feel the chain he wears ; 
 All the- sweet enchantment’s over, 
 When he has no anxious cares. 
 The heart would seem too common, 
 If he thought that heart his own ; 
 Ah! the empire of a woman 
 Is still in the unknown. 
 
 * 
 
 ■% 
 
 L. E. Landon. 
 
76 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT 
 
 X 
 
 
 LARKSPUR. 
 
 Delphinium Ajacis ,—Class 13, Order 2. 
 
 A beautiful garden plant, with rosy, white, blue, or purple 
 blossoms in dense-spikes.—Levant. 
 
 i 
 
 LEVITY. 
 
 Why should we grieve when trouble lowers, 
 And steep our days in wo ? 
 
 Ah, rather gaily pass life’s hours, 
 
 In pleasures as they flow ! 
 
 Oh not one tear, shall dim my eye, 
 
 Though life be fraught with pain ! 
 
 I’ll bid the past, a kind “ Good bye !” 
 
 And try my luck again ! 
 
 I’ll court dame Fortune’s soft caress, 
 
 Each flattering lure display ; 
 
 And if my votive prayer she bless, 
 
 I’ll dance life’s hours away. 
 
 But if she do not smile on me, 
 
 And all my prayers are vain— 
 
 I’ll laugh, and quaff, in merry glee, 
 
 And—try my luck again! 
 
 II. F. Harrington. 
 
 k ---- -- 4 
 
k ------as 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 77 
 
 LAUREL. 
 
 Katmia Latifolia ,—Class 10, Order 1. 
 
 A large evergreen shrub, bearing beads of rose-colored 
 flowers.— North America, 
 
 GLORY. 
 
 The soul may look with fervent hope, 
 
 To worlds of future bliss ; 
 
 But oh, how saddening to the heart 
 To be forgot in this ! 
 
 Could we not view the darksome grave, 
 With calmer, steadier eye, 
 
 If conscious that a world’s regret, 
 
 Would seek us where we lie ? 
 
 Who would not brave a life of tears 
 To win an honored name ? 
 
 One sweet, and heart-awakening tone, 
 From the silver trump of fame ? 
 
 Margaret M. Davidson • 
 
78 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 LILAC. 
 
 Syringa Vulgaris ,—Class 8, Order 1. 
 
 A beautiful shrub, flowers purple, or white, and very fra¬ 
 grant. —Persia. 
 
 FORSAKEN. 
 
 Why comes he not ? the lone and weary days 
 Pass gloomily when he is gone 
 And still from me he lingering stays, 
 
 From me, his own fond, plighted one, 
 Why comes he not ? my heart is all his own. 
 
 The orient tinge, shed by the morning sun, 
 Is not more rich, in rosy light, 
 
 Than were my cheeks, when first he won 
 The young fresh heart, that made them 
 bright 
 
 Why comes he not, to witness their sad 
 blight 1 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 79 
 
 LILY, WHITE. 
 
 Lilium. Candidum ,—Class 6, Order 1. 
 
 A stately plant, with large, scented, white flowers ; from 
 the Levant 
 
 PURITY . 
 
 Without a stain the maiden lived, 
 Unblemished, pure and mild— 
 
 A woman grown, she was as sweet, 
 And simple as a child ; 
 
 I loved her for her gentleness, 
 
 Her smiles, and winning ways, 
 
 And for a virtue in her heart, 
 
 Above a poet’s praise. 
 
 Boon nature lavished charms on her, 
 Such charms as she bestows 
 Upon those seraphs of the soil, 
 
 The lily and the rose ; 
 
 The soft expression of her eyes 
 Came surely from above— 
 
 It seemed to me a blended glance, 
 
 Of purity and love. 
 
 Park Benjamin. 
 
 k- ---—— —_— 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 LETTUCE. 
 
 La.clu.ca Satim ,—Class 19, Order U 
 
 -a# 
 
 A well-known garden esculent. 
 
 C O LD-H E A RTE D. 
 
 Ere I knew the cruel maiden, 
 Tranquil was my artless breast^— 
 
 Night ne’er came, with sorrow laden, 
 Love ne’er broke my peaceful rest. 
 
 Love for thee my soul hath spoken, 
 At thy shrine hath bent me low ; 
 
 But mV hopes are rudely broken, 
 
 By thy cruel heartless blow 5 
 
 Once to thee my faith was plighted, 
 And my heart was fond and true 
 
 Now my deep devotion slighted, 
 Brands thee for a traitor foe. 
 
 & 
 
 M 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 LUPINE. 
 
 Lupinus Hirsutus ,—Class 17, Order 4. 
 
 A plant with rose-colored, or blue flowers, and elegant 
 leaves.—South of Europe. 
 
 DEJECTION. 
 
 A weary time is ours, my love, 
 
 A weary time is ours ; 
 
 For lost to us are pleasure’s smiles, 
 
 And withered are its flowers: 
 
 The ray that cheered our youthful hearts, 
 Hath vanished from our sight, 
 
 And hope’s refulgent-beaming day, 
 
 Hath faded into night. 
 
 How joyous, in our early youth, 
 
 Did all these scenes appear ! 
 
 And what hath called to manhood’s eye, 
 The bright, yet mournful tear ? 
 
 Oh, what hath called ? go ask the heart, 
 Which, torn by grief and shame, 
 
 Will answer, joy is but a spell, 
 
 That passeth as it came. 
 
 6 
 
■ 3 ? 
 
 % -V-;- 
 
 82 THE FLORAL GIFT, 
 
 MALLOW. 
 
 Malva Crispa ,—Class 16, Order 7. 
 
 A tall plant, cultivated for its singular foliage.—-Syria. 
 
 GOOD AND KIND. 
 
 A little word, in kindness spoken, 
 
 A motion, or a tear, 
 
 Has often healed the heart that’s broken, 
 And made a friend sincere. 
 
 A word—a look—has crushed to earth, 
 Full many a budding flower, 
 
 Which, had a smile but owned its birth, 
 Would bless life’s darkest hour. 
 
 Then deem it not an idle thing, 
 
 A pleasant word to speak : 
 
 The face you wear, the thoughts you bring, 
 A heart may heal or break. 
 
 
 ■Si 
 

 THE FLORAL GIFT 
 
 83 
 
 
 MAPLE. 
 
 Acer sp .—Class 23, Order 2. 
 
 Useful and beautiful trees, of the temperate zone, many 
 varieties, some Of which produce beautiful flowers. 
 
 RESERVE. 
 
 I seek thee not. when mirth is high, 
 When homage beams from every eye, 
 And all proclaim thee fair. 
 
 In hours like these I do not move, 
 Around thee with light words of love,—• 
 
 I feel thou art too dear. 
 
 I seek thee not, amid the throng, 
 
 Who fascinate with voice and song, 
 
 And kneel before thee there. 
 
 Oh no, I flatter not, nor vow, 
 
 When others kneel, when others bow— 
 
 I feel thou art too dear. 
 
 Mrs. Daponte. 
 
 X 
 
84 
 
 % 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFlfl 
 
 • 3 ? 
 
 MAIZE. 
 
 Zea Mays ,—Class 21, Order 3. 
 
 Letter known as Indian com, a nativepof tropical America. 
 
 RICHES. 
 
 Think ye to fetter love with gold ? 
 Ah no, no ! 
 
 With brow of care, and features old ? 
 With pulseless veins, and bosom cold? 
 Ah no, no ! 
 
 Enchain the star, 
 
 That gleams afar, 
 
 Withhold the breezes from the tree; 
 Forbid the heart, 
 
 To act its part. 
 
 Then hope with gold to fetter me. 
 
 Mrs. Stephens. 
 
 ae 
 
 * 
 
—a? 
 
 85 
 
 % 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT 
 
 MONKSHOOD. 
 
 Aconitum JVapellus ,—Class 13, Order 2. 
 
 A handsome but poisonous plant, with dark-blue blossoms, 
 from Europe. 
 
 DECEIT. 
 
 You give your cheeks a rosy stain, 
 With washes die your hair, 
 
 But paint and washes both are vain, 
 
 To give a youthful air. 
 
 Those wrinkles mock your daily toil, 
 
 No labor will efface ’em, 
 
 You wear a mask of smoothest oil, 
 
 Yet still with ease we trace ’em. 
 
 An art so fruitless, then, forsake, 
 Which though you much excell in, 
 You never can contrive to make, 
 
 Old Hecuba young Helen. 
 
 Cowper. 
 
 - * 
 
86 
 
 % 
 
 X 
 
 - 3 ? 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 MIMOSA. 
 
 Mimosa Pudica, —Class 23, Order 1. 
 
 A very tender annual, whose leaves shrink at the slightest 
 touch. —Brazil. 
 
 SENSITIVENESS. 
 
 ■ She dwells in her ideal dreams, 
 
 A spirit pure and high ; 
 
 And paradise is caught in gleams, 
 From her uplifted eye ! 
 
 She sees in every plant a sign, 
 That points to things above ; 
 
 Of earth, yet more than half divine 
 ’T were Heaven to win her love. 
 
 K 
 
 5i 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 — 3 ? 
 
 67 
 
 ar 
 
 MOSS. 
 
 Muscisp.— Class 24, Order 5 
 
 Delicate and very humble plants,found almost everywhere; 
 the most beautiful growing in shady woods. 
 
 MATERNA L LOVE. 
 
 What shall I bring thee, mother, mine— 
 What shall I bring to thee ? 
 
 Shall I bring thee jewels that burn and shine 
 In the depths of the shadowy sea ? 
 
 Shall I bring thee the garland a hero wears, 
 By the wondering world entwined, 
 
 Whose leaves can cover a thousand cares, 
 And smile o’er a clouded mind ? 
 
 What are jewels, my boy, to me ? 
 
 Thou art the gem T prize ! 
 
 And the richest spot, on that fearful sea, 
 Will be where thy vessel flies. 
 
 Bring me that innocent brow, my boy, 
 Bring me the shadowless eye— 
 
 Bring me the tone of tender joy, 
 
 That breathes in thy last “ Good bye” 
 
 36 
 
 X 
 
ss-* 
 
 88 THE FLORAL SIFT. 
 
 MISLETOE. 
 
 Viscum Album ,—Class 22, Order 4. 
 
 Parasitic plants, deriving nourishment from the sap of trees 
 on which they grow—.Europe and the United States. 
 
 OBSTACLES TO BE OVERCOME. 
 
 There are hearts like the ivy, though all be 
 decayed, 
 
 That seem to twine fondly, in sunshine and 
 shade, 
 
 No leaves droop in sadness—still gaily they 
 spread, 
 
 Undimmed ’midst the blighted, and lonely, 
 and dead ; 
 
 But the Misletoe clings to the oak not in 
 part, 
 
 But with leaves closely round it—the root in 
 its heart, 
 
 Exists but to twine it, imbibe the same 
 dew, 
 
 Or to fall with its lov’d oak, and perish there 
 too. 
 
 *- 
 
 
% ----a? 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 89 
 
 MOSS ROSE. 
 
 Rosa Muscosa ,—Class 12, Order 3. 
 
 A most beautiful variety of rose, witb a glandular calyx, 
 aa if covered witb. mosa.—Soutb of Europe. 
 
 OLUPTU 0 US LOVE. 
 
 The rose upon my lip is pressed, 
 
 What late was pressed to thine, 
 
 And perfume rises to its breast, 
 
 Like incense from a shrine ; 
 
 So when the bul-bul’s song at even 
 Is heard, her bower above, 
 
 The rose’s passion, forth is given, 
 
 Like timid woman’s love. 
 
 The flower with secret love is rife, 
 
 That forth in perfume flies, 
 
 So thy sweet spirit wakes to life, 
 
 When love looks from thine eyes : 
 Both flowers are shrined within my heart, 
 And time shall never see 
 The hour my memory shall depart 
 From that sweet rose and thee. 
 
 0. O. Warren. 
 
 ie---—- 
 
 X 
 

 % - 1 - 
 
 90 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 MOUSE EAR. 
 
 Onaphalium , Plantaforiensis — Class 19, Order 2. 
 
 One of the earliest spring plants of New England ; found in 
 sunny pastures. 
 
 FORGET ME NOT. 
 
 There is a flower, a lovely flower, 
 
 Tinged deep with Faith’s unchanging hue ; 
 Pure as the ether in its hour 
 Of loveliest and serenest blue. 
 
 The streamlet’s gentle side it seeks, 
 
 The silent fount, the shaded grot, 
 
 And sweetly to the heart it speaks, 
 
 Forget me not! Forget me not! 
 
 Mild as the azure of thine eyes, 
 
 Soft as the halo-beam above, 
 
 In tender whispers still it sighs, 
 
 Forget me not! my life, my love! 
 
 Here, where thy last steps turned away, 
 
 Wet eyes shall watch the sacred spot, 
 
 And this sweet flower be heard to say, 
 Forget! Ah no ! Forget me not! 
 
 *---.» 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 91 
 
 % 
 
 MYRTLE. 
 
 Myrtus Communis ,—Class 12, Order 1. 
 
 Favorite shrubs of parlor cultivation, with large white 
 blossoms. —South of Europe. 
 
 LOVE IN ABSENCE. 
 
 I see thee still—though far away, 
 
 From my young vision now, 
 
 I gaze upon thine eyes’ sweet ray, 
 
 Thy fair and lofty brow : 
 
 I hear thy voice of melting power, 
 
 Those tones of holy thrill; 
 
 In fancies of the midnight hour, 
 
 I dream I see thee still! 
 
 I know how sadly vain it is, 
 
 To cherish thoughts like these ; 
 
 Yet lone hearts sometimes dream of bliss, 
 ’Mid all their miseries. 
 
 And in my lonely hours, alas! 
 
 When deepest woes are mine, 
 
 Strange flitting thoughts will often pass, 
 And point to smiles of thine ! 
 
 S. E. Southerland. 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 % - 
 
 92 
 
 - 3 ? 
 
 MAGNOLIA. 
 
 Magnolia Olauca ,—Class 13, Order 13. 
 
 A beautiful tree of many varieties ; large white or cream- 
 colored flowers.—United States and China. 
 
 LOVE OF NATURE. 
 
 I can find comfort in the words and looks 
 Of simple hearts and gentle souls; and I 
 Can find companionship in ancient books, 
 When lonely on the grassy hills I lie, 
 
 Under the shadow of the tranquil sky ; 
 
 I can find music in the rushing brooks, 
 
 Or in the songs which dwell among the trees, 
 And come in snatches in the evening breeze, 
 
 I can find treasure in the leafy showers, 
 Which in the merry autumn time will fall; 
 And I can find strong love in buds and flowers, 
 And beauty in the moonlight’s silent hours. 
 There’s nothing nature gives can fail to 
 please, 
 
 For there’s a common joy pervading all. 
 
 te 
 
 3i 
 
% 
 
 -— 5 ! 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 93 
 
 MIGNONETTE. 
 
 Reseda Odorata ,—Class 11, Order 3. 
 
 A very fragrant Annual from Egypt. 
 
 MORAL AND MENTAL BEAUTY. 
 
 Beauty consists not in the sparkling eye, 
 The damask cheek and lip, or forehead high; 
 Not in the graceful form, or glistening hair, 
 Or melody of voice ! ah no ! not there. 
 
 But in the soul, which every glance displays, 
 Basking forever in affection’s rays,— 
 Speaking in love’s soft tones, with sunlit 
 smile, 
 
 Which can an aching heart from wo beguile! 
 It dwelleth there in majesty serene, 
 
 Sweeter than music’s voice, or seraph’s 
 dream. 
 
 * 
 
 X 
 
 ■Mrs. H. J. Woodman. 
 
94 
 
 THE FLOKAL GIFT. 
 
 
 •3? 
 
 NIGHTSHADE. 
 
 Solatium Nigrum ,—Class 5, Order 1. 
 
 A creeping plant, with purple flowers, and bright red ber¬ 
 ries, growing by road-sides.—North America. 
 
 DARK THOUGHTS. 
 
 Ah, tell me not that memory, 
 
 Sheds gladness o’er the past, 
 
 What is recall’d by faded flowers, 
 
 Save that they did not last ? 
 
 Look back upon your hours of youth— 
 What were your early years, 
 
 But scenes of childish cares and griefs? 
 
 And say not childish tears 
 Were nothing; at that time they were, 
 More than the young heart well could bear. 
 
 Go on to riper years, and look 
 Upon your sunny spring ; 
 
 And from the wrecks of former years, 
 What will your memory bring !— 
 Affections wasted, pleasures fled, 
 
 And hopes now numbered with the dead ! 
 
 *_ —% 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 95 
 
 * 
 
 % 
 
 NARCISSUS. 
 
 Narcissus Poeticus ,—Class 6, Order 1. 
 
 A beautiful white flower, connected with heathen mytho¬ 
 logy. —South of Europe. 
 
 UNCERTAINTY. 
 
 Ask me not, love, what may be in my heart, 
 As gazing on thee, sudden tear-drops start; 
 When only joy should come where’ er thou art. 
 
 The human heart is compassed with fears; 
 And joy is tremulous, for it enspheres 
 An earth-born star, which melts away in tears. 
 
 I am too happy for a careless mirth—• 
 
 Hence anxious thoughts, and sorrowful, have 
 birth: 
 
 Who looks from heaven is half-returned to 
 earth. 
 
 Hence do I tremble in my happiness; 
 Hurried and dim the unknown hours press : 
 I question of a past, I dare not guess. 
 
 L. E. Landon. 
 
 se. 
 
 
96 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 NIGHT-BLOOMING CEREUS. 
 
 Cactus Grandiflorus ,—Class 12, Order 1. 
 
 A tropical plant, whose large vanilla-scented flowers ex¬ 
 pand atevening, and close at the approach of day. 
 
 TRANSIENT BEAUTY. 
 
 ’Tis sad to see a fairy bark upon the calm 
 blue sea— 
 
 With the gentle breeze of the summer breath 
 careering wild and free— 
 
 In all the glow of her bounding pride, on 
 the soft and sunnny wave, 
 
 Go swiftly down in the flashing tide, to find 
 an ocean grave. 
 
 And Oh ! ’tis sad, in the flush of youth, when 
 the world is bright and fair, 
 
 And the merry laugh of the joyous throng 
 rings sweet on the silver air;— 
 
 When the budding hopes of the bounding 
 heart are bursting into bloom, 
 
 By the might of death’s unerring shaft, to be 
 struck to the silent tomb. 
 
 
 ■% 
 
ft* 
 
 The floral Uift. 
 
 97 
 
 OAK. 
 
 Querctis sp .—Class 21, Order 8. 
 
 Hardy and noble trees, mostly of northern climates. 
 HOSPITALITY. 
 
 ’T is a little thing 
 
 To give a cup of water; yet its draught, 
 
 Of cool refreshment, drained by fevered lips, 
 May give a shock of pleasure to the frame 
 More exquisite than when nectarean juice 
 Renews the life of joy, in happiest hours. 
 
 It is a little thing to speak a phrase, 
 
 Of common comfort, which by daily use 
 Has almost lost its sense ; yet on the ear 
 Of him who thought to die unmourn’d ’twill 
 fall 
 
 Like choicest music. 
 
 Sheridan Knowles. 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 ORANGE FLOWER. 
 
 Citrus Jlurantium ,—Class 18, Order 2. 
 
 The blossom of a woll-bnown fruit of tba Tropica. 
 
 VIRGIN PURITY. 
 
 Oh take her, but'be faithful still, 
 
 And may the bridal vow 
 Be sacred held in after years, 
 
 And warmly breathed as now. 
 Remember, ’tis no common tie 
 That binds her youthful heart; 
 
 ’Tis one that only truth should move, 
 And only falsehood part. 
 
 Her lot in life is fixed with thine, 
 
 In good and ill to share— 
 
 And well I know ’twill be her pride, 
 To soothe each sorrow there. 
 
 Then take her, and may fleeting time 
 Mark only joys increase, 
 
 And may your days glide calmly on 
 In happiness and peace. 
 
 Charles Jeffries. 
 
fH e floral gift 
 
 K 
 
 OX EYE. 
 
 Bupthalmum ,—Class 19, Order 2. 
 
 A tropical genus, of more than twenty species. 
 
 PATIENCE. 
 
 Hast thou one heart that loves thes, 
 “ In this dark world of care,” 
 Whose gentle smile approves thee ? 
 Yield not to dark despair. 
 
 One flower, whose fragrant blossom 
 Blooms but for thee alone, 
 
 One fond confiding bosom, 
 
 Whose love is all thine own ? 
 
 Thou hast one tie to bind thee, 
 
 “ In this dark world of care,” 
 
 0, let not sorrow blind thee—• 
 
 Yield not to dark despair ! 
 
100 
 
 SHE FEORAL GIFT. 
 
 • 3 ? 
 
 X 
 
 OATS. 
 
 Avena Saliva ,—Class 3, Order 2. 
 
 Too well known to need description. 
 
 MIT S I G . 
 
 List, list ! bow sweetly on the night-air floats 
 This music, with a soft and thrilling sound, 
 Breathing the sweetest melody around, 
 
 And waking in each bosom kindred notes, 
 Now, with a martial sound it strikes the ear, 
 And rouses dreams of fame in every breast; 
 Now tones of softness lull such dreams to rest, 
 Calming each passion—‘soothing every fear. 
 Thine, Music ! is the power divine, to raise 
 And chasten, with thy gentle charm, the soul; 
 Thine is the language raeetfor heaven’s praise 
 Thine accents bless the earthfrom poleto pole: 
 And ever to my heart thou’lt welcome be, 
 And though to passion dead, ’twill ne’er be 
 so to thee! 
 
 K. 
 
 % 
 
 Duganne. 
 
% -----* 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 101 
 
 PANSY. 
 
 Viola Vricolory —Class 5, Order 1. 
 
 A fragrant garden flower: leaves purple, yellow and 
 blue,—South of Europe. 
 
 YOU OCCUPY MY THOUGHTS. 
 
 The sky is blue above my head, 
 
 And to the glad embrace of spring 
 The west wind hastens, like a bird 
 Who seeks his mate on sweeping wing: 
 But still within my bosom dwelleth, 
 
 Sad discontent where’er I stray, 
 
 And with its restless murmur telleth, 
 Sweet love, that thou art far away. 
 
 Oh, dear me, though my mother’s voice 
 Is sounding sweetly in my ear, 
 Though earth, and air cry out, rejoice, 
 
 I cannot—for thou art not here. 
 
 My heart is sad when all is gay, 
 
 It. leaps not to the wild bird’s song, 
 For thou, sweet love, art far away, 
 
 And nothing makes me happy long. 
 
 II. Peterson: 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 
 jf- 
 
 102 
 
 PASSION PLOWER. 
 
 Passijlora Cerulia ,—Class 16, Order 2. 
 
 A superb running plant, cultivated in green-bousee, witb 
 curious blue flowers. —Brazil. 
 
 RELIGIOUS FERVOR. 
 
 Like snow that falls where waters glide, 
 Earth’s pleasures fade away; 
 
 They rest in time’s resistless tide, 
 
 Yet scarce a moment stay : 
 
 But joys that from religion flow, 
 
 Like stars that gild the night, 
 
 Amid the darkest gloom of wo 
 Shine forth with sweetest light, 
 
 Religion’s ray no clouds obscure— 
 
 But o’er the Christian’s soul 
 It sheds a radiance, calm and pure, 
 
 Though tempests round him roll. 
 
 His heart may break ’neath sorrow’s stroke— 
 But, to its latest thrill, 
 
 Like diamonds shining when they’re broke, 
 That ray will light it still. 
 
 Si 
 
 
THE FLORAL &IFT. 
 
 103 
 
 PENNY ROYAL. 
 
 Canila Pulegliodes ,— Class 2, Order 13. 
 
 A little, purgent-tasted plant, growing in stony places. 
 Nortla America. 
 
 FLEE AWAY. 
 
 Oh ! fly to the prairie, sweet maiden with 
 
 ’Tis as’green and as wide and as wild as the 
 
 O’er its soft silken bosom the summer winds 
 
 And S \vave the wild grass in its billowy 
 
 The* 5 fawns in the meadow-fields fearlessly 
 
 Then away to the chase, lovely maiden, away. 
 Bound! bound to thy courser, the bison is 
 
 And list’ to the tramp of the light-footed 
 deer. 
 
 J. K. Mitchell. 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 104 
 
 X 
 
 PEA. 
 
 Visum Sativum, — Class 17, Order 4. 
 
 Tlia flower of a garden eaculent, of many varieties, and 
 of various hues.—Europe. 
 
 AN APPOINTED MEETING. 
 
 I see —I see a bright, bright star 
 Upon the moonlit sea— 
 
 Oh no, it is the gondola, 
 
 Which brings my love to me ; 
 
 For gaily—gaily now it flies, 
 
 Nor heeds it yon deep sea, 
 
 While notes of love with richness rise,— 
 Those notes, how dear to me. 
 
 Those notes—those notes are dearer far, 
 Now floating o’er the sea, 
 
 Than beams from off the'pilot-star, 
 
 To mariners can be. 
 
 But gaily—gaily comes my star, 
 
 My lover’s form I see— 
 
 How sweetly sounds his light guitar, 
 
 “ I come my love to thee.” 
 
 /. C. Pray. 
 
 ----—- —% 
 
%■ 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 -X 
 
 105 
 
 PEACH BLOSSOM. 
 
 Amygdalus Persiea ,—Class 12, Order 1. 
 
 The flower of a luscious fruit, brought originally from 
 Persia. 
 
 I AM YOUR CAPTIVE. 
 
 Lady ! I bow before thee, 
 
 A captive to thy will, 
 
 A spell of thine is o’er me, 
 
 But joy is with me still. 
 
 I yield me not to beauty, 
 
 Though thou indeed art fair ; 
 
 I yield me-not to lightness, 
 
 Though thou art light as air. 
 
 I yield me not to wisdom, 
 
 Thou wisest of thy kind. 
 
 But, rescue or no rescue, 
 
 To thy purity of mind. 
 
 T. Dunn English. 
 
TH E FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 
 X- 
 
 106 
 
 PRIMROSE. 
 
 (Enothera Orandijlora ,—Class 8, Order 1. 
 
 A large pale yellow flower, expanding towards evening. 
 
 EARLY YOUTH 
 
 Methinks there is no lovelier sight on earth, 
 Than gentle woman in her early years, 
 Before one cloud has gather’d o’er her mirth, 
 Or her bright eye grows dim with secret tears. 
 When life the semblance of a dream doth 
 wear, 
 
 Unclouded by mischance, or grief, or guile, 
 When rich delight breathes in the golden 
 air, 
 
 And boundless fancy wears a joyous smile, 
 
 Oh if my prayer might unto heaven ascend, 
 ’Twould be, that woman might be ever blest, 
 That flowers and sunlight in her path might 
 blend 
 
 And Eden’s visions fill her tranquil rest. 
 
 *-* 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 - 3 * 
 
 107 
 
 PINK, RED. 
 
 Diauthus Hortensis ,—Class 10, Order 2. 
 
 A beautiful and fragrant garden flower.-—Hungary. 
 
 LOVE, ARDENT AND SINCERE. 
 
 If to feel the deep devotion, 
 
 Of a pilgrim at a shrine, 
 
 If to weep with fond emotion, 
 
 Be to love thee, I am thine. 
 
 If to treasure every token, 
 
 Every look, and every sign, 
 
 Every light word thou has spoken, 
 
 Be to love thee, I am thine, 
 
 Once the future spread before me, 
 Many a mingled hope and fear, 
 
 Now, but one e’er glances o’er me, 
 Tis, “ Will he still hold me dear." 
 
 X- 
 
 
 Mrs. V. E. Howard. 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 ■x 
 
 %— 
 
 108 
 
 ROSE BUD. 
 
 Rosa Muscosa .—Class 21, Order 3. 
 
 Flowers very fragrant, bright crimson—South of Europe 
 
 CONFESSION 0 i LOVE. 
 
 I love thy form, I worship it, 
 
 To me it always seems 
 As if it were thecounterfeit, 
 
 Of some I’ve seen in dreams ; 
 
 It makes me feel as if I had 
 An angel by my side, 
 
 And then I think I am so bad, 
 
 You will not be my bride 
 
 I love the sounds that from thy lips * 
 Gush holily and free, 
 
 As rills that from their caverns slip, 
 
 And prattle to the sea; 
 
 The melody for aye doth steal 
 To hearts by sorrow riven, 
 
 And then I think, and then I feel, 
 
 That music comes from heaven. 
 
 William Thompson Bacon. 
 --- -—--- -9 
 
 
THE F LORAL GIFT. 
 
 109 
 
 ROSEMARY. 
 
 Rosamarinus Officinalis ,—Class 2, Order 1. 
 
 A fragrant leaved, low-growing plant, once believed good 
 to strengthen the memory. —Europe. 
 
 REMEMBRANCE,. 
 
 I cannot forget him ! 
 
 I try to be gay, 
 
 To quell the wild sorrow, 
 
 That rises alway; 
 
 But wilder and darker, 
 
 It swells as I try ; 
 
 If Heaven could forget him, 
 
 So never can I! 
 
 I cannot forget him ! 
 
 I loved him too well! 
 
 His smile was endearment, 
 
 His whisper a spell. 
 
 He haunts me forever ; 
 
 I worship him yet, 
 
 Oh ! idle endeavor ! 
 
 I cannot forget. 
 
 Mrs. Osgood. 
 
 ---- - 
 
I 
 
 I 110 The floral gift. 
 
 ROSE, EULL-BLOWN. 
 
 Rosa sp .—Class 12, Order 3. 
 
 Tho flower of a highly ornamental shrub, of cool climates • 
 there are many varieties all of which are beautiful. ' 
 
 YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. 
 
 W hen first I gazed—oh ! lady fair, 
 
 Upon thy radiant eye, 
 
 I thought thou wert a thing of light, 
 
 Just wandered from the sky ; 
 
 And as I looked upon thy brow, 
 
 Pure as the skies when bright above, 
 And on thy warm and floating form, 
 
 I dared to dream of love. 
 
 I would not breathe, oh ! lady fair, 
 
 A single thought to thee, 
 
 To shadow o’er within thy breast, 
 
 Its sunny fount of glee : 
 
 I need not wish a brighter spell, 
 
 Of loveliness about thee move, 
 
 For round thy form there lurks a charm, 
 That melts all hearts to love. 
 
 Mrs. JVelby. 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 Ill 
 
 SPEEDWELL. 
 
 Veronica Officinalis ,—Class 2, Order 1. 
 
 The flowers of this plant axe very beautiful purple, blue, or 
 white.—United States, Europe, and Asia. 
 
 FEMALE FIDELITY. 
 
 Oh ! let me only breathe the air, 
 
 The blessed air that’s breath’d 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 lov’d bride— 
 
 The one, the chosen one, whose place 
 In life or death is by thy side, 
 
 Think’st thou that she, whose only light, 
 
 In this dim world, from thee hath shone, 
 Could bear the long, the cheerless night, 
 That must be hers when thou art gone ? 
 
 Moore. 
 
 S- --— - - — H 
 

 
 
 SAFFRON FLOWER. 
 
 Carthamus Tinctorus ,—Class 19, Order 
 
 A medicinal plant,with, deep orange colored flowers, intro¬ 
 duced into gardens, from Egypt. 
 
 % DO NOT ABUSE. 
 
 Deal gentle thou, whose hand hath won, 
 
 The young bira from its nest away, 
 
 Whete careless, ’neath a vernal sun, 
 
 She gaily caroll’d, day by day ; 
 
 The haunt is lone, the heart must grieve, 
 From whence her timid wing doth soar, 
 They pensive list at hush of eve, 
 
 Yet hear her gushing song no more. 
 
 A mother yields her gem to thee, 
 
 On thy true breast to sparkle rare, 
 
 She places ’neath thy household tree, 
 
 The idol of her fondest care, 
 
 And by thy trust to be forgiven, 
 
 When judgment wakes in terror wild, 
 
 By all thy treasured hopes of heaven, 
 
 Deal gently with the widow’s child. 
 
 J\Irs. Sigourney. 
 
 , P--. .;_ . . .X 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 - 
 
 113 
 
 96 
 
 SWEET BRIAR. 
 
 Rosa Rubiginosa ,—Class 12, Order 3. 
 
 A fragrant-leaved aperies of rose, naturalized,but first intro¬ 
 duced from England. 
 
 POETRY. 
 
 'Tis thine, sweet poesy! to lure th^soul, 
 
 A willing slave from reason’s sober ray ; 
 
 And bid it wander, at thy soft control, 
 Through pleasure’s paths and fancy’s flowery 
 way. 
 
 ’Tis thine to weave a wild and witching spell, 
 That chains the mind in fetters of delight, 
 And leads it far, in fairy worlds to dwell, 
 ’Mid blissful dreams and scenes of beauty 
 bright. [stream 
 
 ’Tis thine to scatter o’er life’s changeful 
 The fragrant flowers, of Hope and Joy and 
 Love; 
 
 To shed o’er cold reality a beam, [above. 
 That lights and warms like summer sun 
 And thine, oh, child of high and holy birth, 
 To deck with Ed'en hues the lowly things of 
 earth! 
 
 8 Mrs. E. S. Smith. 
 
 —-% 
 
114 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 SNOW DROP. 
 
 Oalanthus Niralis ,—Class 6, Order 1. 
 
 The first harbinger of spring, appearing in the gardens even 
 when the snow is still on the ground.—England. 
 
 CONSOLATION. 
 
 No gem of the dark and dirty mine, 
 
 No pfarl of the deep blue sea, 
 
 No jewelled offering on vanity’s shrine, 
 
 Is the gift that I send to thee ; 
 
 I send as a token, lady fair, 
 
 An offering of richer worth 
 
 Than pearls of the sea, or the gifts of air, 
 
 On the precious stones of earth. 
 
 But the Book of the High and Holy One— 
 The record of life and truth ; 
 
 To the aged pilgrim his noonday sun, 
 
 And a lamp to the feet of youth: 
 
 I send it—mo token of lightsome love, 
 
 But of feelings as pure and true 
 
 As the angels know in their homes above— 
 As dwell in this heart for you. 
 
 Lewis J. Cist. 
 
 A -5 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 -'X 
 
 115 
 
 SNOW BALL. 
 
 Viburnum Opulus, —Class 5, Order 3. 
 
 A shrub, cultivated for its globular heads of snowy 
 flowers.--Great Britain. 
 
 THOUGHTS OF HEAVEN. 
 
 ’Tis gentle eve ! and night draws near, 
 The golden orb of day is set; 
 
 And, one by one the stars appear, 
 
 Bright gems in Heaven’s fair coronet; 
 And, sparkling in her silvery sheen, 
 
 Rides beauteously night’s radiant queen ! 
 
 Oh ! ever on a night like this— 
 
 Borne down beneath life’s weary load, 
 
 I think me thus how pure the bliss, 
 
 To yield the spirit up to God;— 
 
 Its requiem, from yonder sky, 
 
 Those strains of Heaven’s own minstrelsy! 
 
 ■X 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 X — 
 116 
 
 3? 
 
 S ORREL. 
 
 Rumex Jlcetosellus ,—Class 6, Order 3. 
 
 A common weed, with, very acidleavcs, foundin old 
 pastures. 
 
 PARENTAL AFFECTION. 
 
 There is in life no blessing like affection; 
 
 It soothes, it hallows, elevates, subdues, 
 And bringeth down to earth its native heaven. 
 It sits beside the cradle patient hours, 
 Whose sole contentment is to watch and love ; 
 It bendeth o’er the death-bed, a.nd conceals 
 Its own despair with words of faith and hope. 
 Life has nought else that may supply its place : 
 Void is ambition, cold is vanity, 
 
 And wealth an empty glitter, without love. 
 
 L. E. Landon. 
 
 
 
X---'3? 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 117 
 
 TULIP. 
 
 Tulipa Gesnerina ,—Class 6, Order 1. 
 
 A delicate and gaudy garden flower, brought originally 
 from the Levant. # 
 
 DECLARATION OF LOVE. 
 
 Your heart is a music-box dearest! 
 
 Wilh exquisite tunes at command, 
 
 Of melody sweetest and clearest, 
 
 If tried by a delicate hand; 
 
 But its workmanship, love, is so fine, 
 
 At a single rude touch it would break ; 
 Then oh! be the magic key mine, 
 
 Its fairy like whispers to wake ! 
 
 And there’s one little tune it can play, 
 
 That I fancy all others above— 
 
 You learned it of Cupid one day— 
 
 It begins with and ends with “I love! I love! ” 
 It begins with and ends with “ I love.” 
 
 Mrs. Osgood. 
 
 -% 
 
118 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 THORN APPLE. 
 
 Datura Stramonium ,—Class 5, Order 1. 
 
 A rank poisonous-seeded plant, with large blue Sowers, 
 
 * introduced from India. 
 
 DECEITFUL CHARMS. 
 
 So shall I live supposing thou art true, 
 
 Like a deceived husband; so love’s face 
 May still seem love to me though altered new, 
 Thy looks with me, thy heart in other place: 
 For there can live no hatred in thine eye— 
 Therelore, in that I cannot know thy change, 
 In many looks the false heart’s history 
 Is writ, in moods and frowns and wrinkles 
 strange: 
 
 But Heaven in thy creation did decree, 
 
 That in thy face sweet love should ever dwell, 
 Whate’er thy thoughts, or thy heart’s work¬ 
 ings be, 
 
 Thy looks should nothing else but sweetness 
 tell: 
 
 How like Eve’s apple doth thy beauty grow, 
 If thy sweet virtue answer not the show. 
 
 Skakspeart. 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 —a? 
 
 119 
 
 %■ 
 
 VINE. 
 
 Vitis sp .—Class 5, Order 1. 
 
 A native of both this country and Europe. 
 DRUNKENNESS. 
 
 Tell me not of pleasures, flowing 
 From the rosy goblet, glowing 
 With a bane, though bright it be, 
 
 > Deadlier than the Upas tree ; 
 
 I It hath scathed the brightest blossoms, 
 Doom’d to shame the proudest bosoms, 
 Dimm’d the sheen of Love’s pure heaven, 
 Friendship’s brilliant fetters riven, 
 Blighted youth’s fond hopes forever,— 
 Tell me not,—oh, never, never, 
 
 Tell me not of pleasures flowing, 
 
 From the rosy goblet glowing, 
 
 With a bane, though bright it be. 
 Deadlier than the Upas tree. 
 
 fe 
 
 -% 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 % - 
 
 120 
 
 VIOLET, BLUE. 
 
 Viola Odorata ,—Class 5, Order 1. 
 Flowers bright blue. 
 
 FAITHFULNESS. 
 
 I would not wear a golden crown, 
 
 Nor reign upon a throne, 
 
 But o’er one true and loving heart, 
 
 I would be queen alone. 
 
 I would not have a servile throng, 
 
 Press round to bow the knee, 
 
 But one light, free and eager step, 
 
 Haste homeward unto me. 
 
 T would not have the breath of fame, 
 Attempt my worth to prove, 
 
 But I would have one warm heart keep, 
 The memory of my love. 
 
 I would beloved to thee and me, 
 
 The priceless pearl be given 
 
 That thy true heart may meet mine own, 
 And each love each in heaven. 
 
THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 - 
 
 121 
 
 YIOLET, WHITE. 
 
 Viola Cacullccta ,—Class 5, Order 1. 
 
 Pretty little flowers, found in the meadows of North 
 America, and Europe. 
 
 MODESTY. 
 
 A simple flower is modesty— 
 
 It bloometh in the wild, 
 
 Where ’mid the interwoven leaves, 
 The sun-beam falleth mild, 
 
 And silently it there receives 
 Its nurture undefiled. 
 
 O, better far that solitude, 
 
 Should bosom all its sweets, 
 
 Than that upon its form should blow 
 The wind that roughly greets, 
 
 Or fall on it with scorching glow, 
 The fiery summer heats. 
 
 Duganne. 
 
122 
 
 TH E FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 X 
 
 WALL FLOWER. 
 
 Cheiranthus Cheri ,—Class 15, Order 1. 
 
 A fragrant orange-colored flower, from me South of Europe. 
 
 FIDELITY OF MISS FORTUNE. 
 
 The birds, when winter shades the sky, 
 Fly o’er the seas away, 
 
 Where laughing isles in sunshine lie, 
 
 And summer breezes play. 
 
 And thus the friends, that flutter near 
 While fortune’s sun is warm, 
 
 Are startled if a cloud appear, 
 
 And fly before the storm. 
 
 But when from winter’s howling pains, 
 Each other warbler’s past. 
 
 The little snow-bird still remains 
 And chirrups ’mid the blast. 
 
 Love, like that bird, whenfriendship’s throng 
 With fortune’s sun depart, 
 
 Still lingers with its cheerful song, 
 
 And nestles on the heart. 
 
 William Legget. 
 
 K——--- Si 
 
THE FI ORAL GIFT. 
 
 123 
 
 x- 
 
 WEEPING WILLOW. 
 
 Salix Balylonica ,—Class 22, Order 2. 
 
 A fine tree with pendent branches, and growing to a great 
 size ; from the Levant. 
 
 MELANCHOLY. 
 
 0, there are hours of wo and sadness, 
 
 Which cost the heart a life of pain ; 
 
 Which chill the soul with dreams of madness, 
 And bid it never smile again. 
 
 The heart, whose love is deeply blighted, 
 Must pine in grief, decay, and die,— 
 
 It roams a desert, lone, benighted, 
 
 Without a bourne of solace nigh. 
 
 The world may smile, and fortune brighten, 
 As light’nings gild the lonely scene, 
 
 The clouds of grief they but enlighten ; 
 
 And show what deserts intervene.— 
 
 Tho’ dark the night, ’fis not forever ; 
 
 A day beam comes, in mercy given— 
 Before its ray the storm-clouds sever, 
 
 The wandering soul hath rest in heaven ! 
 
 James S. Jhjlward. <■ 
 
124 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 -3? 
 
 %■ 
 
 WORMWOOD. 
 
 Artemesia Absynthium ,—Class 19, Order 2. 
 
 A bitter medicinal berb, cultivated In gardens here, bat 
 wild in England. 
 
 ABSENCE. 
 
 Although T may wander as far as I will, 
 
 My heart, my beloved, remains with you still, 
 
 As the carrier-bird, that they tear from its 
 young, 
 
 Though the way be untracked, and the jour¬ 
 ney be long, 
 
 Untiring ne’er suffers its pinions to rest, 
 
 Till they fold its dear chicks in its desolate 
 nest:— 
 
 Thus I, when my moments of absence are o’er, 
 
 And this far distant land shall detain me no 
 more, 
 
 With light’ning-winged softness my path 
 I’ll pursue, 
 
 Till it bring me in rapture to home and to 
 you. 
 
 -Si 
 
K, 
 
 HE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 —3S 
 125 
 
 WHEAT. 
 
 Tritieum Coninum, —Class 3, Order 2. 
 From Egypt—cultivated in Europe 
 
 PROSPERITY. 
 
 Prosperity attend thee, 
 
 My fair and gentle friend, 
 
 May fortune still befriend thee, 
 
 And all its pleasures lend. 
 
 Through life as thou dost wend thee, 
 May heaven its blessings send, 
 Like seraphs, to attend thee, 
 
 For evermore, my friend. 
 
 May angel arms defend thee, 
 
 And o’er thy pathway bend, 
 
 And peace and comfort send thee 
 In life and death, my friend. 
 
 Dugannc. 
 
 X- 
 
 ■X 
 
126 
 
 THE FLORAL GIFT. 
 
 % 
 
 * 
 
 YEW. 
 
 Taxus Baceata ,—Class 5, Order 13. 
 
 A sombre-looking shrub, used for funeral purposes.—-from 
 Great Britain* 
 
 SORROW. 
 
 Weep for the love that fate forbids, 
 
 Yet loves unhoping on, 
 
 Though every light that once illumed 
 Its early path is gone. 
 
 Weep for the love that must resign 
 The heart’s enchanting dream, 
 
 And float like some neglected bark, 
 Adown life’s lonely stream. 
 
 Weep for the breaking breast condemn’d 
 To see its youth pass by, 
 
 Whose lot has been, in this cold world, 
 
 To dream, despair, and die. 
 
 L. E. Landon. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Acacia-7 
 
 Apple Blossom-8 
 
 Aloe-9 
 
 Amaranth-10 
 
 Anemone-11 
 
 Aspen-12 
 
 American Linden- - 13 
 American Star Wort 14 
 
 Bay Leaf --15 
 
 Balm-16 
 
 Bell Flower-17 
 
 Birch-18 
 
 Box-19 
 
 Black Thorn-20 
 
 Buttercup-21 
 
 Bachelor’s Button - 22 
 
 Bramble-23 
 
 Clinging Woodbine - 24 
 
 Catalpa Flower-25 
 
 Cedar Tree-26 
 
 Carnation, Yellow - 27 
 Canterbury Bell- - - 28 
 
 Chamomile-29 
 
 Cowslip-30 
 
 China Aster-31 
 
 Crocus - 32 
 
 Cypress-- - - 33 
 
 Page. 
 
 Cherry Blossom— - 34 
 
 Carnation-35 
 
 Columbine-36 
 
 Damask Rose-37 
 
 Dandelion-38 
 
 Double Daisy-39 
 
 Dahlia ------ 40 
 
 Dew Plant - - - - 41 
 Dragon Plant - - - 42 
 Evergreen - - - - 43 
 Everlasting - - - - 44 
 Elm -------45 
 
 Fern - -- -- --46 
 Flowering Reed- - 47 
 Fuschia ----- 48 
 
 Forget Me Not - - 49 
 Fox Glove - - - - 50 
 Flax Flower - - - 51 
 Giliflower ----- 52 
 
 Garden Marigold - 53 
 Geranium, Oak-leaf 54 
 Geranium, Mourning55 
 Geranium, Scarlet -56 
 Geranium, Rose- - 57 
 Golden Rod - - - - 58 
 Hawthorn - - - - 59 
 Heath ------ 60 
 
 (127) 
 
%- 
 
 128 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 ' 3 ? 
 
 Page. 
 
 Hazel ------ 61 
 
 Hellebore ----- 62 
 
 Holly ------ 63 
 
 Honeysuckle - - - 64 
 Honesty ----- 65 
 
 Heliotrope - - - - 66 
 Iloustonia - - - - 67 
 Hollyhock - — - - 68 
 Ice Plant - — - - 69 
 Indian Cress - - - 60 
 
 Ivy — --71 
 
 Japonica Camellia - 72 
 
 King Cup-73 
 
 Laburnum - - - - 74 
 Lady’s Slipper- - - 75 
 Larkspur - - - - 76 
 Laurel ----- 77 
 Lilac - -- -- --78 
 Lily, White - - - - 79 
 Lettuce ------ 80 
 
 Lupine - -- 81 
 
 Mallow ----- 82 
 
 Maple ------ 83 
 
 Maize ------ 84 
 
 Monkshood - - - 85 
 Mimosa ----- 86 
 
 Moss ------ 87 
 
 Misletoe - - - - - 88 
 Moss Rose ----- 89 
 
 Mouse Ear -- 90 
 
 Myrtle ------ 91 
 
 Magnolia ----- 92 
 
 Mignonette-93 
 
 Pago 
 
 Nightshade - - - - 94 
 Narcissus - - - - 95 
 Night-bloom Cereus 96 
 
 Oak.— 97 
 
 Orange Flower- - - 98 
 Ox Eye ----- 99 
 
 Oats-100 
 
 Pansy ------ 101 
 
 Passion Flower - 102 
 Penny Royal - - - 103 
 
 Pea-104 
 
 Peach Blossom - - 105 
 Primrose - - - - 106 
 Pink, Red - - - - 107 
 Rose Bud - - - - 108 
 Rosemary - - - - 109 
 Rose, Full-Blown 110 
 Speedwell - - - - 111 
 Saffron Flower - - 112 
 
 Sweet Briar-- 113 
 
 Snow Drop - - - 114 
 Snow Ball - - - - 115 
 
 Sorrel-- - 116 
 
 Tulip-117 
 
 Thorn Apple - - - 118 
 
 Vine -.119 
 
 Violet, Blue - - - 120 
 Violet, White - - 121 
 
 Wall Flower-122 
 
 Weeping Willow - 123 
 Wormwood - - - 124 
 
 Wheat ----- 125 
 
 Yew.- 126 
 
 
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