EXTRACTS ON THE SHRUBEBBY. 53 



" E'en Winter oft has seen it gay. 



With fretted frost-work, spangled o'er, 

 While pendants drooped from every spray, 

 And crimson bodlets told, once more 

 That spring would all its charms restore." 



It is not to old age alone, that the garden offers its placid de- 

 lights. Every stage of life from the cradle to the grave is 

 attracted by its charms. The infant is ready to spring from its 

 nurse's arms, allured by the gay colours which flowers exhibit. 



They form the most innocent toy of childhood, and the cul- 

 tivation of them is generally its first labour, whilst their pre- 

 sentation often explains the passion of youth. The happy belle 

 loves to entwine them in her locks, and the fond parents delight 

 to see their child mimic their beauties with the pencil ; 



" The flowers that grace their native beds, 

 Awhile put forth their blushing heads ; 

 But e're the close of parting day, 

 They wither, shrink, and die away ; 

 But these, which mimic skill hath made. 

 Nor scorched by suns, nor killed by shade, . 

 Shall blush with less unconstant hue, 

 Which art at pleasure can renew." 



The representation of flowers is the proper style of drawing 

 for the softer sex. In this attempt they will succeed, and by 

 this study will afford us delight which they cannot do, " when, 

 o'erstepping the modesty of nature," and the limits of their pro- 

 per employment, they present us with specimens of their pro- 

 ficiency in the science of anatomy. A piirsuit like this is often 

 too bold, and the subjects sometimes too masculine to suit the 

 feeling of the other sex. But flowers are the peculiar province of 

 the fair, and the nearer their imitation approaches to nature, the 

 more it delights us ; which paintings of murders, massacres, 

 deaths, and agony, certainly cannot. The beauty and grace that 

 may be displayed in grouping flowers, united with the gaiety 

 of their colours and the harmony of their tints, are well worthy 

 the attention of those who were born to render life delightful. 

 The neatness, nicety, and patience required in finishing flower- 

 pieces, seem to demand the delicate hand of a female artist. 



The description, by Moses, of the garden of Eden, the first 

 abode of first created man, formed the outlines which Milton 

 has so splendidly enriched with all the imagery of poetry. From 



