THE JESSAMINE. 251 



not the type obvious ? I once remarked a stray- 

 ing braricii of tlie Jessamine, crossed in its way 

 by the shoot of a neighbouring ivy, and firmly- 

 fixed to the wall by the steady progress of its 

 more adhesive companion. Here, the strong bore 

 the iiu^rmities of the weak, by love serving another, 

 and becoming a fellow-helper in the faith to a less 

 stable believer. It was beautiful to see how, from 

 this point, the Jessamine shot upwards, bearing to a 

 great height the fragrant blossoms that would other- 

 wise have been trampled under foot : and the infer- 

 ence was cheering too, I have often thought that 

 I must write a chapter on the ivy, which is really the 

 most patronizing of plants ; though like the patrons 

 of this world, it sometimes destroys its protege. 

 But to return to the Jessamine. It is long since I 

 gazed upon the old wall of dear Mr. C.'s humble 

 garden, a:id many an experimental lesson have I 

 since been made to learn, of the necessity both for 

 prop and pruning-knife, among the Lord's weak 

 straggling plants. But there is sometlung so sweet 

 in the recollection of my lonely walks, where in- 

 deed there was scarcely room for two to pace the 

 garden, that I rank the Jessamine, with its pointed 

 leaves and starry flowers, among the most precious 

 of my store : and if ever I possess a cottage of 

 my own, it shall clothe the walls, and peep into 

 the casements, with its well-remembered story 

 of patience, piety, and peace. 



