LILAC. 



its verdure, the flexibility of its branches, the abundance of 

 its flowers, their beauty so brief and transient, their colour so 

 soft and varied, all remind us of those delightful emotions, 

 which add charms to beauty and impart to youth a divine 

 gracefulness. 



The Lilac, for aught we can see in it, seems to have been 

 formed simply to gratify the sense of sight and smell ! What 

 a combination of fragrance, freshness, grace, and delicacy is 

 it ! what variety in detail, what beauty as a whole ! 



" The Lilac various in array, now white, 

 Now sanguine, and her beauteous head now set 

 With purple spikes pyramidal, as if 

 Studious of ornament, yet unresolved 

 Which hue she most approved, she chose them all." 



COWPER. 



Two American poets speak the most decidedly of its per- 

 fume. Willis says, — 



" The Lilac has a load of balm 

 For every wind that stirs ;" 



and Longfellow, — 



" How slowly through the lilac-scented air 

 Descends the tranquil moon !" 



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