22 breck's new book of floweks. 



THE LILY OF THE FIELD, or THE WONDERFUL 

 BEAUTY OF FLOWERS. 



The contemplation of the beauty of flowers, with their 

 varied tints of exquisite colors, beautiful forms and de- 

 lightful odors, is a source of never ending pleasure to all 

 who have any taste for the beautiful, even when examined 

 by the naked eye ; but when placed under a powerful mi- 

 croscope, we are introduced to the hidden wonders of 

 God's handiworks, where we see the exquisite finish of 

 the most minute parts of the flower, with the adorning of 

 colors that seem to be more splendid than anything 

 earthly ; here is no imperfection, and no blemish, but in 

 every part of the most humble flower, we see nothing but 

 the perfection of beauty. I was so well pleased with an 

 article I found in the New- York Observer on this subject, 

 entitled the "Lily of the Field," that I give the article 

 entire, as follows, (believing that it will be read with 

 pleasure and profit) : 



"In the reign of Solomon, the kingdom of Judah 

 reached the acme of its si^lendor. He was the wisest, 

 the richest, and the most powerful of kings. 



" So widely extended Avas the fame of his character and 

 magnificence, that distant nations came to add their por- 

 tion to the sum of his glory. The grandest manifestations 

 of his prosperity, and power, were, when the king ap- 

 peared, arrayed in robes of finest texture, sitting upon the 

 throne of ivory overlaid with pure gold. It was no mere 

 display of barbaric magnificence, dazzling to the eye of 

 sense, with the glitter of gold, and the glare of brilliant 

 colors. It was the suitable expression of that blessing 

 which crowned the kingdom and its king. All that earth 



