220 FROM A MIDDLESEX GARDEN 



of our hedges (Rosa arvensis) in the colour and form of 

 their white petals and yellow centre, although the foliage 

 and structure of the plant differ entirely. CEnotheras are 

 still beautiful, they do not now fade so quickly as they 

 did in the height of Summer when the hot sun of early 

 morn bade them fade, and banished the beauty of their 

 star-time nativity ere we had time to discover it ; they 

 keep their beauty till noon is past, as though thoughtful, 

 staying to garnish the fast-fading garden. 



As I pass along in the early dawn I stop to gaze upon one 

 garden that is bright with many a golden sunflower, and the 

 heart of him who is busy within it, I know, is full of dreams, 

 for the little lass who ran about its paths a year agone the 

 sunflower of his life as he used to call her who runs no more 

 there, her merry laughter as she played among the golden 

 leaves breaks not the morning stillness; golden leaves are 

 falling where she sleeps, and golden flowers wave above her 

 folded hands. These are most likely his thoughts this idyl 

 of the sunflower and as he toils in silence I think that our 

 thoughts are oftentimes better than the best books, for where, 

 on any page, could be found words expressing his memory ? 



