CRITICAL NOTICES OP NEW PUBLICATIONS. 113 



'Twas but a moment — o'er the rose 

 A veil of moss the angel throws. 

 And, robed in nature's simplest weed, 

 Could there a flower that rose exceed ?" 



The writings of Herder abound with similar fictions, one of 

 which we have " done into English" prose ; and if Miss Twamley 

 will confer upon us so much honour as to " do it into verse" for her 

 next edition, and head it *' The Romaunt of the Rose/' we shall 

 feel highly flattered. 



THE LILY AND THE ROSE. 



Tell me, ye graceful daughters of the coarse black earth, who gave you 

 your beauteous shapes? since truly ye were formed by delicate fingers. 

 What little spirits spring from your cups ? and what pleasure pervades you 

 when goddesses rest themselves upon your leaves ? Tell me, peaceful flow- 

 ers, how do they divide themselves in their friendly work, and nod to each 

 other when they spin your fine web of so many folds — so multifariously 

 adorned and embroidered ? But ye are silent, sweet children, and enjoy 

 your existence. Well, then, the instructive fable shall tell me what your 

 lips withhold from me. 



Once, when the earth stood a naked rock, behold, there stepped forth a 

 friendly troop of nymphs upon the virgin earth, and happy genii were ready 

 to cover with flowers the naked rock. Multifariously they divided them- 

 selves in their work. In beauty, under the snow and cold short grass, began 

 the modest Humility, and wove many a concealed little one : Hope followed 

 her, and filled with cooling odour the cup of the refi-eshing Hyacinth. Then 

 came, as it pleased each, a prouder, showy choir of variegated beauties — the 

 Tulip raised its head ; the Narcissus looked around witn languishing eyes. 

 Many other goddesses and nymphs employed themselves in the varied work, 

 and adorned tne earth, exulting over their beauteous forms. 



And lo ! as a great part of their work had faded away with their fame and 

 their joys, Venus said to her Graces, also — " Why linger ye here, sisters of 

 gracefulness ? Up, and weave with your charms a mortal visible flower." 

 They descended to the earth, and Aglaia, the Grace of Innocence, created the 

 Lily ; Thalia and Euphrosine wove, with sisterly hand, the flower of Joy and 

 Love — the Virgin Rose ! 



Many flowers of the field and garden envy each other ; the Lily and the 

 rose envy none, and are envied by all. Like sisters, bloom they together 

 upon the field of Flora, and adorn each other, since the sisterly Graces wove 

 them together. 



Also, upon your cheeks, O ! maidens, may lilies and roses bloom ; and may 

 your graces. Innocence, Joy, and Love, ever dwell upon them united and 

 inseparable ! 



The public has shewn its appreciation of the merits and beauties 

 of Miss Twamley's book by bringing it so quickly to a second edi- 

 tion. We anticipate that every revolving season for many years 

 to come will call for a new, and we are sure Miss Twamley will 

 spare no pains to render it a more beautiful, one. It were supere- 

 rogation to say to The Romance of Nature, since it could not be 

 otherwise if we wished it, Esto perpetua. 



We now turn, as the season of the year invites, to The Beauties 

 of the Country. Mr. Miller entitled his former volume A Day in 

 the Woods ; he might have termed this *' A Year in the Woods," 



VOL. VI. NO. XIX. p 



