t) OBSERVATIONS ON FLORICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE. 



classical scholar needs to be reminded of Melenger's garland ? or 

 what reader of English poetry does not remember Milton's description 

 of Paradise, and the many exquisite passages scattered so profusely 

 through the works of our great dramatic poet, as to have led to some 

 ingenious surmises that he was born and bred a gardener? or what 

 Scotchman is not familiar with the ' Mountain Daisy,' and the ' Posic 

 of Bums,' in which it is difficult to decide whether the natural object 

 or the poetical application of it is the more tender and beautiful ? 

 The custom of affixing a figurative signification to those productions 

 of nature seems to have prevailed in all ages and in all countries. 

 In ancient times the violet was as proud a device of the Ionic Athe- 

 nians as the lilies of France, or the rose of England, or the shamrock 

 of Ireland, or ' the rough bur thistle,' with its threatening motto, is 

 auld Scotia's ' emblem dear.' Patriotic recollections thus combine 

 with poetical associations and natural beauty, to stimulate to the 

 cultivation of the delightful art. ' Talk of perfect happiness or plea- 

 sure,' says old Gerarde, ' and what place was so fit for that as the 

 garden place wherein Adam was set to be the herbalist ? Whither 

 did the poets hunt for their sincere delights but into the gardens of 

 Alcinous, of Adonis, and the orchards of the Hesperides ? Where 

 did they dream that heaven should be put in the pleasant gardens of 

 Elysium ? Whither do all men walk for their honest recreation, but 

 thither where the earth hath most beneficially painted her face with 

 flourishing colours ? And what season of the year more longed for 

 than the spring, whose gentle breath enticeth forth the kindly sweets, 

 and makes them yield their fragrant smells?' Surely it ought to 

 require but little argument to excite to the cultivation of a pursuit 

 thus powerfully recommended to our notice — a pursuit which tends 

 to diffuse peace, and comfort, and contentment throughout the land ; 

 which binds together the various classes of society by a common 

 interest, and by the interchange of kindnesses and favours ; which 

 affords healthy exercise and innocent recreation ; which gives a local 

 attachment and strengthens the love of our native land : which 

 excites a spirit of honourable and kindly emulation, and teaches men 

 to appreciate whatever is natural, and simple, and pure ; and, above 

 all, which leads us from ' Nature up to Nature's God ;' and, while 

 filling our minds with admiration of these the works of His hands, 

 at the same time inspires our hearts with gratitude to Him who 



