SEPTEMBER. 371 



assemblage of sandy hummocks, among which I looked 

 for some time in vain for the castle ; and the old man 

 assured me that a town formerly stood here, which 

 had been overwhelmed with sand, wafted over from 

 Ireland in one night, and at times he said part of the 

 walls and houses were visible. I did not attempt to 

 combat a tradition, which seemed a favourite theme 

 with him, and in proof of which, he alledged the sand 

 here to differ from any in the neighbourhood, but 

 looked out for the plant I had in view, and we had 

 scarcely reached a ruined pointed arch leading to the 

 enclosed court, when I perceived upon the tower that 

 stands upon the very verge of a limestone rock, the 

 object I was in quest of, growing there in great pro- 

 fusion and luxuriance. The old man, attentive to my 

 motions, soon assisted me in gathering specimens, and 

 I noticed that he filled his own hat also ; for he re- 

 marked that it was strange that he had never before 

 observed the plant himself, and he would now cultivate 

 it in his own garden. As it is an early flowerer it is 

 an acquisition to any rock-work, and if, at a future 

 period I may find the flower diffused from garden to 

 garden, by the care of the old clerk, I shall not have 

 pointed it out to him in vain ; for what pleasing 

 images may arise in a host of breasts from one favou- 

 rite or remembered plant, even in a cottage garden.* 



* The rustic names of garden flowers seem in many instances suggestive 

 of pleasant thoughts, or olden remembrances of poetical colouring, quite 

 different to the botanical vanity of the present day, which in its records 

 of new flowers introduces a barbarous nomenclature that will one day 

 require an Encyclopaedia to unravel it. Although the memory of some of 

 of the saints, like that of St. William, given to the Dianthus barbatus, 

 may have faded away, yet " Sweet Williams" remains as a pleasant 

 name, which is more than can be said of many late acquisitions in very 

 hoarse sounding latin. But Virgin's Bower, Balm, "pun-provoking: 

 Thyme," Old Man, Thrift, Speedwell, Stichwort, Heartsease, and Loose- 



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