163 FLORA HISTORIC.*. 



in high veneration ; for in France they have made 

 it emblematical of the pleasures of memory, and of 

 sincere friendship, from the circumstance of this 

 author's saying, in one of his works, that as he was 

 walking to Charmettes, accompanied by Madame 

 Varence, she was struck by the appearance of these 

 blue flowers in the hedge, and exclaimed, " Here 

 is the Periwinkle still in blossom." Rousseau then 

 tells us that he did not notice this flower again for 

 near thirty years, but that being at Cressier, in the 

 year 1764, with his friend Peyron, as they were 

 climbing a little hill, he found this plant in blossom 

 among the bushes, which carried his recollection 

 back so instantaneously to the time he was walking 

 with Madame Varence, that he inadvertently ex- 

 claimed in a cry of joy, "Ah, there is the Peri- 

 winkle."" He relates this anecdote as an instance 

 of the vivid recollection he had of every incident 

 which occurred at a particular time of his life, and 

 from hence this flower is made to represent " les 

 doux souvenirs" 



Oh Memory, thou fond deceiver, 



Still importunate and vain, 

 To former joys recurring ever, 



And turning all the past to pain.' 



Thou, like the world, the opprest oppressing, 

 Thy smiles increase the wretch's woe ; 



And he who wants each other blessing, 

 In thee must ever find a foe. 



Goldsmith. 



