FLORA, ^SCULAPIUS, CERES, WITH CUPID, 



t 



HONOURING THE BUST OF LINN^US. 



Ihe introduction of Flora, Ceres, and ^sculapius, is emblematic of the advantages 

 derived from the study of the science of Botany, as in the works of Linnaeus, to physic, agrL 

 culture, and as an elegant pursuit for Ladies. Cupid is represented in allusion to \\\^ sexual 

 system, invented by Linn^us. The Zephyr above denotes Spring, the season most favourable 

 to the study of Botany. The fair forms of Flora and of Cupid, with the bust of Linn^us, 

 cannot fail to disclose to the eye of the observer the magic pencil of a Russel; and the figures 

 of ^scuLAPius and Ceres, the nervous and masterly strokes of an Opie. 



I. 



Sacred to great LINNJiiUS' honour'd name,, 

 A laurel grove perpetuates his fame, 

 Where deck'd in honest pride by Sculpture's band, 

 See rival nations* bid his image stand. 

 The foremost of the human race to rise, 

 Nor servile flattery this, or base disguise. 

 Crowds, now retiring, leave the hallow'd place, 

 When Sol's bright car has run its daily race. 

 And gold-fring'd pearly clouds dissolve away, 

 And evening veils the glaring face of day. 



Then, first, the sprighdy, subtle boy. 



Beauty's offspring, winged LOVE, 



Bounding on in wanton joy, 



Springs forward to the laurel grove, 



And grateful traces on the stone 



In golden lines his tribute gay f , 



Proud thus indelibly to own 



The triumphs of his tender sway. 



* In allusion to the bust of Linnaeus, which was first raised in the botanic garden of Edinburgh by the botanical Professor. 



LINN^O POSUIT J. HOPE. 



as was also done in the year 1790, in the botanic garden at Paris, bj a decree of the National Assembly. 



+ The lines which Cupid writes on the pedestal are as follow: 



All animated Nature owns my sway. 



Earth, sea, and air, my potent laws obey. 



And thou, divine Linn^us, trac'd my reign 



O'er trees, and shrubs, and Flora's beauteous train, 



Proved them obedient to my soft controul, 



And gaily breathe an aromatic soul. 



Charlotte Lenox, 



Th' 1 dv was invited by the late illustrious Dr. Samuel Johnson, to meet all his literary acquaintances. After dinner, the Doctor gave, 

 - To the Muses," and as one of them, he publickly crowned this celebrated authoress with hays. Vide Life of Johnson prefixed to his 

 stupendous Dictionary. 



