160 PARSONS ON THE ROSE. 



every three years, on the day of the commencement of 

 the floral games, among other ceremonies to be observed, 

 the members of the academy should visit and spread 

 flowers upon her tomb. Ronsard, the French poet, hav- 

 ing gained the first prize in the floral games, received, in 

 place of the accustomed rose, a silver image of Minerva. 

 Mary, Queen of Scots, was so much delighted with Ron- 

 sard's beautiful poetry on the Rose, that she sent him a 

 magnificent rose of silver, valued at £500, with this in- 

 scription ; — "^. JRonsard, VApollon de la source des 

 Muses.'''* 



