106 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



influence, a woman's proud heart, was stirred to its profoundest 

 depths, and the homeless one found a sacred refuge in that 

 bosom, which proved a source of mutual happiness, in after 

 years. 



"If thou hast crushed a flower, 



The root may not he blighted; 

 If thou hast quenched a lamp, 



Once more it may be lighted; 

 If thou hast bruised a vine, 



The summer's breath is healing, 

 And its clusters yet may glow, 



Through the leaves their bloom revealing," 



In conclusion, we ask, who among us would separate the flowers 

 from all the myriad associations that are round about them? 

 Who decry their influence upon the human heart? Surely not 

 the voice of human love ; surely not the nature delicately tuned 

 to the finer symphonies of the soul. Rather let us render rever- 

 ence and praise to " Nature's God " for the bright realm of 

 flowers, the humblest blossom of which is so skillfully touched 

 with his unrivalled pencil. 



Not without meaning are the lines of the Irish poet: 



"Long, long be the heart with such memories filled ! 

 Like the vase in which roses have once been distilled. 

 You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will, 

 But the scent of the roses will hang 'round it still." 



'& 



OUR NATIONAL FLOWER. 



C. N. Dennis — On the 12th day of April, 1861, a shot was fired 

 at Fort Sumpter to destroy that flag. .That shot struck at not 

 only that flag, but at the hearts of thousands of heroic boys in 

 blue. There was a certain number of stars in that flag at that 

 time, but after four years the flag was left untarnished, and now 

 others have been added until the number is forty-two. In the 

 discussion to-night as to the national emblem, there is a differ- 

 ence of opinion as to what that emblem should be. Some think 

 that it should be a single flower, and others want a boquet. I 

 have been requested by two ladies of Hamilton — Mrs. Lamonte 

 and Mrs. Railsback — to present to this Society, in the name of 

 the City of Hamilton, this wreath of forty-two distinct flowers, 

 representing our idea of what that emblem should be. And it 

 gives me great pleasure to present to you this wreath emblematic 

 of their idea. 



President Dunlap — On behalf of the Society I accept this 

 wreath from the ladies of Hamilton, and especially thank those 



