CHAPTER XIII 



THE VIOLET 



THE modest Violet is a most welcome flower, whether 

 growing wild in the hedgerow or bank, or cultivated 

 and made much of in our gardens. Blooming, as it 

 does, at a time when most other subjects are past, or 

 not yet showing flower, it is all the more appreciated, 

 and doubly so when it " droops its soft and bashful 

 brow, and from its heart sweet incense fills the air." 

 For, undoubtedly, much of the esteem in which these 

 modest flowers are held is due to their delicious scent. 

 The violet in its various forms holds quite a place in 

 poetry, due, in no small measure, to the modesty with 

 which this flower is indelibly associated, owing no doubt 

 to the lowly habit of growth and the retiring appearance 

 of the plant with its drooping flowers. The poet Barton 

 draws a most delightful word-picture of this character- 

 istic in these modest little flowers. 



" Beautiful are you in your lowliness, 

 Bright in your hues, delicious in your scent ; 

 Lovely your modest blossoms, downward bent, 

 As shrinking from your gaze, yet prompt to bless 

 The passer-by with fragrance, and express 

 How gracefully, thought mutely eloquent, 

 Are unobstrusive worth and meek content 

 Rejoicing in their own obscure recess. 



Bowring sees them in much the same light : 



" Sweet flower ! Springs earliest loveliest gem ! 

 While other flowers are idly sleeping, 

 Thou rearest thy purple diadem ; 

 Meekly from thy seclusion peeping. 



