202 ON THE PLEASURE OF FLOWERS, &C. 



kinds of amusement. Some are irreligious, or, at best, immoral, 

 and many are debasing ; but that which is derived from floricul- 

 ture and botany (which is so nearly allied to floriculture that I 

 must be pardoned for joining them together), is not only a ra- 

 tional amusement, but is replete with instruction. To the reflec- 

 tive mind, the curious structure, the habits, the modes of culture, 

 and the distribution of flowers over the surface of the whole earth ; 

 "their spontaneous growth on the tops of mountains, in the vallies, 

 in the sandy and sun-scorched desert, and on the rugged rock, 

 must be full of interest. I would ask, is it not pleasing to watch 

 the growth of some handsome plant, from the time it just peeps 

 above the soil, till it arrives at fidl maturity ; and would not its 

 beautifully colored and elegantly formed flowers amply repay you 

 for all your trouble ? Again, what can afford a more interesting 

 recreation to the person engaged in mercantile pursuits, and shut 

 up in a counting house or manufactory the greater part of the day, 

 than an half hour spent in a pleasant flower garden ? and to those 

 who have not a garden, a few plants in pots in the windows of 

 their house are exceedingly pretty and interesting. 



I think no person will deny that floriculture is a healthy pursuit. 

 To the person in a robust state of health, who wishes to preserve 

 it, nothing can be more subservient to his purpose than excercise 

 in a garden ; and the invalid can certainly do nothing more likely 

 to amend his health than take gentle exercise in a flower-garden ; 

 such, for instance, as tying up Dahlias, Fuchsias, or Roses, water- 

 ing them, kc. It may be asked, why give the preference to flori- 

 culture, when general gardening would be equally beneficial '? I 

 would answer, because the attractions held forth by flowers are 

 generally so much greater than any other species of plant, and of 

 longer duration. 



The study and culture of flowers is instructive. Who can look 

 upon a flower, examine its curious construction, and notice 

 minutely its various parts, without being filled with admiration, 

 and being convinced that " it is the Lord's doing, and it is mar- 

 vellous in our eyes. The study of flowers ought to impress 

 every one with a sense of thankfulness to the Deity. We are told 

 that " Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these, " 

 and yet they were not sent for man's actual wants, but simply to 

 render his sojourn here more delightful than it otherwise would 

 have been. 



Middlesex, 1839. 



