176 THE GLORY OF THE GARDEN 



Hours and Graces wrought," it was myrtle that the 

 lovely goddess selected wherewith to wreathe her 

 brows. When pursued hy a band of satyrs, who had 

 found her seated by the sea waves combing her hair 

 after bathing, it was to a grove of myrtles that the 

 startled goddess ran for protection. Also, it was 

 with a myrtle rod that she, as the queen of beauty, 

 caused Psyche to be chastised, for daring to out- 

 rival her own heaven-born charms, in the eyes of 

 Cupid. 



The Greeks were devoted to the myrtle, and 

 dedicated it to Mars, god of war, and frequently 

 coupled it with the laurel, symbol of glory and 

 honour; but it was only after a bloodless victory 

 that the conquerors wreathed their swords with 

 myrtle. 



There is an old tradition that the myrtle was the 

 only plant borne away from the Garden of Eden: 



" No blossom from their garden bore away 



Save one, that Adam snatches by the gate, 

 A myrtle spray." 



The Legend of Christmas Decorations. 



There is an interesting legend giving a probable 

 reason for the decoration of houses with mistletoe 

 and holly, and it would seem that the custom is of 

 Druidic origin. 



For it comes down to us on good authority that, 

 in the times of the Druids, the houses were decked 

 with boughs and branches in order that the spirits 

 of the forest might seek shelter among them, during 

 the bleak winds and frosts of the winter. How 



