10 



[Senate, 



^^^:;=5:^^Sir 



GOTHIC TEMPLE. 



wreaths of evergreens, chaplets of flowers of every tint and hue 5 

 and representing every clime, hung suspended from its mimic towers. 

 Garlands crowned its columns and pillars, and formed capitals of 

 living flowers surpassing the most perfect conceptions of genius, or 

 the most elaborate chiselings of the artist. The name of Flora, in- 

 scribed with delicate flowers on a ground-work of the richest green, 

 showed this to be the temple which had been selected for the fair god- 

 dess of flowers, filled and surrounded with a gorgeous accompaniment 

 of magnificent oflferings from the glorious kingdom over which she 

 presided. 



At the further extremity rose a Corinthian temple, constructed of 

 similar materials, exhibiting in outline the classic design of one of 

 the choicest specimens of ancient art. Its pillars, capitals, entabla- 

 ture and dome, radiant with brilliant wreaths of flowers, entwined 

 and interwoven with appropriate mottoes and inscriptions, and dedi- 

 cated to Pomona, the goddess of fruits. Here were accumulated the 

 richest treasures of the orchard, the vineyard and the garden ; here 

 one saw in their highest perfection the melting pear, the delicious 



