AN ESSAY ON FLOWERS. 123 



writings of Eastern Poets. The Turks, and indeed the Orientals 

 in general, have few images of voluptuousness without the richest 

 flowers contributing towards them. The noblest palaces, where 

 gilding, damask, and fine carpeting abound, would be essentially 

 wanting in luxury without flowers. It cannot be from their odour 

 alone that they are thus identified with pleasure ; it is from their 

 union of exquisite hues, fragrance, and beautiful forms, that they 

 raise a sentiment of voluptuousness, in the mind ; for whatever 

 unites these qualities can scarcely do otherwise. 



Whoever virtuously despises the opinion that simple and cheap 

 pleasures, not only good, but in the very best taste, are of no value 

 because they want a meretricious rarity, will fill their apartments 

 with a succession of our better garden flowers. It has been said 

 that flowers placed in bed-rooms are not wholesome. Plucked and 

 put into water, they quickly decay, and, doubtless, give out a 

 putrescent air ; when alive and growing, there need not be any 

 danger apprehended from them, provided fresh air is frequently 

 introduced. For spacious rooms, the better kinds, during warm 

 weather, are those which have a large leaf and bossy flower. Large 

 leaves have a very agreeable effect on the senses ; their rich green 

 is grateful to the sight ; of this kind, the Hydrangea is remarkably 

 well adapted for apartments, but it requires plenty of water. Those 

 who have a green-house connected with their dwellings, have the 

 conveniences, by management, of changing their plants as the 

 flowers decay ; those who have not, and yet have space to afford 

 them light and occasionally air, may rear most of those kinds 

 under their own roof, which may be applied for ornament in sum- 

 mer. Vases of plaster, modelled from the antique, may be stained 

 any colour most agreeable to the fancy, and fitted with tin cases to 

 contain the earthen pots of flowers, to prevent the damp from acting 

 OR them, will look exceedingly well. 



The infinite variety of Roses, including the Guelder Rose ; the 

 Rhododendron, and other plants of similar growth, are fitted for 

 the saloon, but they please best in the library. They should be 

 intermingled with the book-cases, and stands filled with them 

 should be placed wherever practicable. They are a wonderful 

 relief to the student. There is always about them a something 

 that infuses a sensation of placid joy, cheering and refreshing. 

 I'erhaps they were fir^t introduced at festivals, in consequence of 



