THE JESSAMINE. 251 



not the type obvious ? I once remarked a stray- 

 ing branch of the Jessamine, crossed in its way 

 by the shoot of a neighbouring ivy, and firmly 

 fixed to the wall by the steady progress of its 

 more adhesive companion. Here, the strong bore 

 the infirmities of the weak, by love serving another, 

 and becoming a fellow -helper in the faith to a less 

 stable believer. It was beautiful to see how, from 

 this point, the Jessamine shot upwards, bearing to a 

 great height the fragrant blossoms that would other- 

 wise have been trampled under foot : and the infer- 

 ence was cheering too. I have often thought that 

 I must write a chapter on the ivy, which is really the 

 most patronizing of plants ; though like the patrons 

 of this world, it sometimes destroys its protege. 

 But to return to the Jessamine. It is long since I 

 gazed upon the old wall of dear Mrs. C.'s humble 

 garden, and many an experimental lesson have I 

 since been made to learn, of the necessity both for 

 prop and pruning-knife, among the Lord's weak 

 straggling plants. But there is something so sweet 

 in the recollection of my lonely walks, where in- 

 deed there was scarcely room for two to pace the 

 garden, that I rank the Jessamine, with its pointed 

 leaves and starry flowers, among the most precious 

 of my store : and if ever I possess a cottage of 

 my own, it shall clothe the walls, and peep into 

 the casements, with its well-remembered story 

 of patience, piety, and peace. 



