THE IVY. 



sufficient even to reimburse the outlay incurred in its mechanical production, is 

 more than can be reasonably anticipated, but it is hoped that the endeavour will be 

 appreciated by those who are equal to the perception of its spirit, and competent 

 to criticise the details in which it is expressed. The well-known passage in 

 Claudian enunciates this view most happily, and the indulgence of the reader is 

 solicited that it may be allowed to stand here as representing the feeling with 

 which this undertaking was entered upon 



" Hie patet ingeniis campus : certusque merenti 

 Stat favor : ornatur propriis industria donis." 



a 



Oh, a dainty plant is the Ivy green, 



That creepeth o'er ruins old ! 

 Of right choice food are his meals I ween, 



In his cell so lone and cold. 

 The wall must be crumbled, the stone decayed, 



To pleasure his dainty whim : 

 And the mouldering dust that years have made 



Is a merry meal for him. 



Creeping where no life is seen, 

 A rare old plant is the Ivy green. 



&. 





