ENGLISH WILD FLOWERS. 



THE STOET OF THE WILD FLOWERS. 



"I" ET us listen to the silent voices of the flowers of 

 "^ the wayside, and interpret the mission of the 

 " wildings of Nature " which dwell in the woodland 

 glades, spangle the dewy meads, a,dorn the moorland 

 with perennial beauty, and smile with gladness by the 

 streamlets and the rivers. Lessons of deep significance 

 may be learned from these " stars of earth." 



" From the first bud, whose verdant head 



The winter's lingering tempest braves, 

 To those who, 'mid the foliage dead, 



Shrink latest to their annual graves, 

 Are all/or use for health or pleasure given ; 

 All speak in various ways the bounteous hand of Heaven." 



Who has not read the charming little story of Pic- 

 ciola ? how the little flower sent its tiny and tender 



I 



