208 PROSERPINA. 



The fact of this belief is one of the most im- 

 portant in the history of England, — that is to 

 say, of the mind or heart of England : and it is 

 connected solemnly with the heart of Italy also, 

 by the closing cantos of the Paradiso. 



I think it well therefore that our two first 

 generic, or at least commandant, names heading 

 the out-laid and in-laid divisions of plants, should 

 be of the rose and lily, with such meaning in 

 them as may remind us of this fact in the history 

 of human mind. 



It is also historical that the personal appearing 

 of this Master of our religion was spoken of by 

 our chief religious teacher in these terms : " The 

 Grace of God, that bringeth salvation, hath ap- 

 peared unto all men." And it is a constant fact 

 that this ' grace ' or ' favour ' of God is spoken of 

 as " giving us to eat of the Tree of Life." 



19. Now, comparing the botanical facts I have 

 to express, with these historical ones, I find that 

 the rose tribe has been formed among flowers, 

 not in distant and monstrous geologic aeras, but 

 in the human epoch ; — that its ' grace ' or favour 

 has been in all countries so felt as to cause its 

 acceptance everywhere for the most perfect physical 

 type of womanhood ; — and that the characteristic 

 fruit of the tribe is so sweet, that it has become 



