LOVE OF FLOWERS. 255 



Persons of influence, residing in the country, 

 should do their utmost to encourage the cultiva- 

 tion not only of flowers, but of vegetables and 

 bees, amongst their poorer neighbours. It not 

 only tends to keep them out of ale and beer- 

 houses, those curses of the labouring man in this 

 country, but improves their minds, their habits, 

 and health. An amiable florist has observed, that 

 the love of flowers is one of the earliest impres- 

 sions., which the dawning of reason implants in 

 the human mind ; and that happy are the parents 

 of children in whose imaginations this desirable 

 predilection is early evinced. It inculcates a salu- 

 tary habit of reasoning and thinking on subjects 

 worthy of exercising the thoughts, and is calculated 

 to improve them. It gradually trains the mind 

 to the study and observance of that most instruc- 

 tive volume, the Book of Nature. The passion 

 for flowers is, indeed, one of the most enduring 

 and permanent of all enjoyments. At the coming 

 of each revolving Spring, we anxiously return to 

 our loved and favourite pursuit. With joy and 

 delight we perceive that 



Ethereal mildness is come, 



and that the glory of reviving nature is returned. 



In Pliny's description of his beautiful garden 

 in Tuscany, how readily we trace the happiness 

 and contentment he found in following the intel- 

 lectual pursuit he so much delighted in. He says. 



