MORAL OF FLOWERS. 



" Not a tree, 



A plant, a leaf, a blossom but contains 

 A folio volume. We may read, and read, 

 And read again, and still find something new, 

 Something to please, and something to instruct, 

 E'en in th noisome weed." HURDIS. 



FLOWERS have been, to the poets of all ages, 

 and in all countries, a never-failing source of 

 inspiration, and to mankind at large, " a joy, a 

 pure delight," from the creation even to the 

 present time ; and will be so, while we have 

 eyes to see, and hearts to understand and ap- 

 preciate the blessings that are scattered around 

 us, for, as KEATS says : 



" A thing of beauty is a joy for ever ; 

 Its loveliness increases; it will never 

 Pass into nothingness; but still will keep 

 A bower quiet for us, and a sleep 

 Full of sweet dreams and health. 

 56 



