THE WHITE ROSE. 83 



them rising on stems, thrice the length of their op- 

 posite neighbours', perfectly erect, and stretching 

 upwards as if to overtop the barrier, that they 

 too may rejoice in the sunshine which gladdens 

 the earth. 



Beautiful at all times, when are flowers most 

 beautiful f To this question each will reply, ac 

 cording to his peculiar tastes and preferences. 

 For myself, I must declare that they never look so 

 lovely in my sight, as when brought to wither 

 gently on the bed of death. 



It was in the land of warm deep feelings — the 

 country which I must needs be continually bringing 

 before my readers, if my hand be prompted by 

 the abundance of my heart — It was in Ireland, 

 that I made this discovery. It was well known 

 how revolting are the scenes of riot and debauche- 

 ry usually presented at an Irish wake : the very 

 name is an abhorrence to those who comprehend 

 its character, as practised in the south of Ireland, 

 among the Roman Catholic population. Yet a 

 wake, kept by some humble Roman Catholics in 

 the South of Ireland, is one of the spectacles to 

 which my memory often reverts with delight ; as- 

 sociating with it all that is most touchingly lovely 

 in the world of flowers. 



The boy was not two years old, who lay stretch- 

 ed on a little couch, over which the hand of affec 

 tion had festooned a drapery of delicate white 



