68 FLORA HISTORICA. 



have been found wild, with this departure from 

 nature. Double Violets are easily increased by 

 parting the roots in the autumn, and as it is so uni- 

 versal a favourite, no flower-garden should be with- 

 out it, nor should any gardener omit to pot it for the 

 use of the saloon. In Paris, notwithstanding the 

 arbitrary regulations of Fashion, which reaches even 

 to the sale of flowers, the Violet constantly holds its 

 rank as a favourite, on which account the French 

 florists check the early flowering of some of their 

 plants, so as to secure blossoms in the height of 

 summer, and we have frequently met with them at 

 the celebrated Marche aux Fleurs in the months of 

 August and September ; nor are les dames de la 

 Halle, nor the admired Vendeuses de fleurs at 

 Rouen, without a supply of Double Violets at that 

 season of the year. 



Between her breasts, that never yet felt trouble, 

 A bunch of Violets, full blown, and double, 

 Serenely sleeps. 



Keats. 



To wear Violets, in Paris, denotes the person to 

 belong to the Liberal party. 



It is related of Mademoiselle Clairon, a cele- 

 brated French actress, that being passionately fond 

 of Violets, a friend cultivated them so as to give 

 her a nosegay of these flowers every morning dur- 

 ing their season. This fragrant offering lasted 

 thirty years, and to lose nothing of a gift which 



