298 Dr Falconer on the Style and Fajle 
difcover in the Sacred Writings, are to be found in 
the Song of Solomon, part of the fcene of which 
is, undoubtedly, laid in a garden- * Flowers 
and fruits are particularly fpoken of, as the 
ornaments, and the produce of it ; and befides 
thefe, aromatic vegetables + formed a confider- 
able part of the gratifications it afforded. 
Fountains, and ftreams of water appear, alfo, to 
have had a fhare in the compofition, and, pro¬ 
bably, for ornament, as well as ufe. Statues, 
or paintings are not mentioned in thefe defcrip- 
* I am the rofe of Sharon, and the lily of the vallies. 
Chap. ii. ver. 1, 
A garden inclofed, is my filler, my fpoufe ; a fpring 
{hut up, a fountain fealed. Thy plants are an orchard of 
pomegranates, with pleafant fruits, camphire, with fpike- 
nard, fpikenard and faftrcn, calamus and cinnamon, 
with all trees of frankincenfe, myrrh, and aloes, with all 
the chief fpices. A fountain of gardens, a well of living 
waters, and ftreams from Lebanon. Awake, O north wind, 
and retire thou fouth, blow upon my garden, that the 
fpices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into 
Jiis garden, and eat his pleafant fruits. 
Chap. iv. ver. 12. et. 
f Aromatic plants are very often mentioned as a high 
gratification, and perfumes, to this day, are much admired 
in the eaft. “ His cheeks, are a bed of fpice , with fweet 
flowers, his lips like lilies, dropping fweet fmelling 
myrrh.” Ch. v ver. 13. “I will get me to the mountain 
pf myrrh, and to the hill of frankincenfe.” 
Ch. iv. ver. 6. 
tions, 
