268 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



been produced. It is only necessary to place a flower of the wild 

 Viola tricolor side by side with one of our present garden varieties 

 to comprehend at a glance the mighty improvement it has under- 

 gone. Ever since it was taken in hand by the florists it has main- 

 tained its populaiity, and bids fair to continue it for many a 

 generation yet to come. The favourite situation of the wild Pansy 

 is in fields ot growing corn, where it is partially shaded from the 

 heat of the mid-day sun and the wind ; bat it is frequently met with 

 in meadows, and is one of the gems of our native flora. It is also 

 plentiful in fields througliout Europe, Siberia, and North America, 

 where it is always regarded with aftection by the tillers of the soil. 

 That our ancestors admired and loved it is evident from the number 

 of endearing names it was called by, at various periods, in diflerent 

 parts of the country. Three Faces under a Hood, Herb-Trinity (on 

 account of the three colours and three divisions of the flower). Love 

 in Idleness, and Kit Run About, are a few of them ; the name, how- 

 ever, by which it is now commonly known, and the most loving of 

 all, is Heart's-ease, a name by which the poets speak of it : — 



There is a little flower that's found 

 In almost every garden ground ; 



'Tis lowly, but 'tis sv/eet ; 

 And if its name express its power, 

 A more invaluable flower 



You'll never, never meet. 



How it obtained the name of Heart's-ease remains a mystery ; but 

 the poets have attributed such a romantic appellation to various 

 causes : — 



I said in every garden ground, — 

 Perhaps in Eden 'twas not found, 



For there it was not wanted ; 

 But soon as sin and sorrow came, 

 The flower received its gladdening name. 



By mercy's angel planted. 



However, Herrick assigns its origin to a very diflferent cavise : — 



Frolic virgins once there were, 

 Over loving living here ; 

 Being here iheir ends deny'd, 

 Run for sweethearts mad, and died. 



Love in pity for their teares, 

 And their loss in blooming years, 

 For their restlesse here spent houres. 

 Gave tliem heart's-ease turned to floures. 



The most elegant name by which it is at present known is Pansy. 

 This word came originally from the French pensee, signifying thought, 

 and it is in this sense that it is regarded by writers. So that besides 

 its heart-healing virtues this little flower has other good qualities 

 attributed to it : — 



Are not Pansies emblems meet for tlioun^ht? 

 The pure, the chequered — gay and deep by turns ? 

 A line for every mood the bright things wear 

 In their soft velvet coats. 



