42 FLORA HISTORICA. 



was then the middle of the night : Well, replied 

 he, I will have it be day. 



It has been observed that the Pink has lost its 

 powerful attractions for the nobility of this coun- 

 try, and is degenerated into a mechanic's flower, 

 because its cultivation is so carefully and success- 

 fully attended to in manufacturing districts, and 

 more particularly at Paisley. But this is erro- 

 neous as far as it relates to good taste, as we 

 have frequently noticed with what deUght these 

 flowers have been regarded by the most refined 

 classes of society, when they have met with them 

 in village gardens ; for their own florists having 

 of late years been so much engaged in the cul- 

 ture of rare plants, known ones have too fre- 

 quently been neglected. 



How forcibly does the sight of the Pink carry 

 our imagination back to the well-known cottages 

 of our infant days, and how often does the pic- 

 ture present itself showing where 



" A path with Pinks and Daisies trimm'd, 

 Led from the homely entrance g"ate ; 

 The door, worm-eaten and decay'd, 

 Bespoke the tenant's low estate." 



It is in such situations that flowers have the 

 power of delighting the English traveller, be- 



