riNK. 49 



old walls, and in other situations where the soil 

 was dry. We have already noticed liow little the 

 ancients knew of the Pink ; and that the Clove and 

 Carnation were altogether unknown to them is per- 

 fectly clear, for they are neither of them men- 

 tioned by their natural historians, or celebrated by 

 any of their bards, who would not have failed to 

 have sung the praises of such aromatic flowers, 

 since the Clove-spice was known to them and much 

 admired. 



We learn from Chaucer, the father of the English 

 poets, that the Clove Gillyflower was cultivated in 

 this country as early as the reign of Edward the 

 Third, and that it was used to give a spicy flavour 

 to ale and wine ; and from hence it was called Sop 

 in wine : 



Ther spi-ingen lierbes grete and smale, 

 The licoris and the setewale, 

 And many a clove gilofre, 



to put in ale, 



Whether it be moist ox' stale. 



Chaucer. 



It seems to have been a flower of high estimation 

 in Queen Elizabeth's time, for we find it often cele- 

 brated by the poets of her day. Spenser, who was 

 remarked for his care in retaining the old manner 

 of spelling, calls them Coronations, probably be- 

 cause they were used on those festive occasions, and 

 from hence the name of Carnation seems a coirup- 



VOL. II. D 



