CORN POPPY. 



CORN POPPY {Papaver RJieas) — Qo^^O\.\.i:\o^, 



The several species of Poppy are showy In their appear- 

 ance, and one yields the singular drug or medicine, opium, 

 which, valuable in the hands of the skilful practitioner, is most 

 injurious to those who have become addicted to its use as a 

 stimulant. We cannot enter here into the consideration of 

 the fearful consequences of indulging in it, nor of the mis- 

 chief done by its too free administration as a medicine, in 

 cases where there is no hope of ultimate recovery. We are, 

 nevertheless, sensible of its great utility in lulling the sense of 

 pain ; in procuring sleep for those who would otherwise be 

 sleepless, through calamity, or adversity, or bitter sorrow, in 

 whatever Vv-ay produced ; a sleep beneficial, yet neither so re- 

 freshing, nor so strength-restoring, as that which nature brings 

 to the wearied frame of the sound in health ; to those whose 

 minds are content, and whose conscience is void of offence. 

 It is as the inducer of sleep that the Corn Poppy is made the 

 emblem of Consolation ; and justly so, for sleep is, indeed, 

 the great healer of many ills, and the great consoler of many 

 a sorrowing heart. Shakspeare puts into the mouth of King 

 Henry IV. an apostrophe to sleep, which we can fully under- 

 stand to have passed, in substance, through the mind of a 

 monarch troubled with the cares of State in turbulent 

 times : — 



" How many thousands of my poorest subjects 

 Are at this hour asleep ! O sleep, O L^entle sleep, 

 Nature's soft nurse, how liave I frighted thee, 



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