194 pfant "lG)orc, Tsege^/, anil T^ijcic/*, 



The flowers strewed over graves by the Greeks were the 

 Amaranth, Myrtle, and Polyanthus. The pracftice was reprobated 

 by the primitive Christians; but in Prudentius's time they had 

 adopted it, and it is expressly mentioned both by St. Ambrose and 

 St. Jerome. The flowers so used were deemed typical of the 

 dead: to the young were assigned the blossoms of Spring and 

 Summer: to middle-age, aromatic herbs and branches of primeval 

 trees. 



Amaranthus was employed by the Thessalians to decorate the 

 grave of Achilles ; and Electra is represented as uttering the 

 complaint that the tomb of her father Agamenon had not been 

 adorned with Myrtle: — 



" With no libations, nor with Myrtle boughs, 

 Were my dear father's manes gratified." 



Virgil, when recounting the sorrow of Anchises at the loss of 

 Marcellus, causes him to exclaim: — 



"Full canisters of fragrant Lilies bring, 

 Mix'd with the purple Roses of the Spring. 

 Let me with fun'ral flowers his body strew." 



In Germany, and in the German Cantons of Switzerland, the 

 custom of decking graves is very common. The Dianthus is a 

 favourite flower for this purpose in Upper Germany. In the 

 beautiful little churchyard at Schwytz, almost every grave is 

 entirely covered with Pinks. 



The cemetery of Pere la Chaise, near Paris, exhibits proofs of 

 the extent to which the custom of decking graves is preserved 

 even by a metropolitan population and among persons of some 

 rank. Numerous shops in the neighbourhood of this cemetery are 

 filled with garlands of Immortelles or Everlasting Flowers, which are 

 purchased on fete days and anniversaries, and placed on the graves. 

 The branches of Box, or Bois bcni, which are used in the place of 

 Palms and Palm-leaves, are frequently stuck over graves in France. 



' ' Fair flowers in sweet succession should arise 

 Through the long, blooming year, above the grave ; 

 * Spring breezes will breathe gentlier o'er the turf, 



And summer glance with mildest, meekest beam, 

 To cherish piety's dear offerings. There 

 Rich sounds of Autumn ever shall be heard, — 

 Mysterious, solemn music, waked by winds 

 To hymn the closing year ! And when the touch 

 Of sullen Winter blights the last, last gem, 

 That bloomed around the tomb— O ! there should be 

 The polished and enduring Laurel — there 

 The green and glittering Ivy, and all plants, 

 All hues and forms, delicious, that adorn 

 The brumal reign, and often waken hopes 

 Refreshing. Let eternal verdure clothe 

 The silent fields where rest the honoured dead. 

 While mute affection comes, and lingers round 

 With slow soft step, and pensive pause, and sigh, 

 All holy." — Carrington. 



