MORAL OF FLOWERS. 71 



That serves the steadfast hours, 

 Is in the grass beneath that grows 

 Unheeded, and the mute repose 



Of sweetly breathing flowers." WORDSWORTH. 



Will the cold-hearted cynic smile, and will 

 the sneering sceptic make a mockery of our 

 words when we repeat this touching lesson ? 



"God loveth all his creatures, 



Doth bless them hour by hour; 

 Then will He not of man take heed, 

 Who so much beauty hath decreed 



Unto the way-side flower ?" MARY HOWITT. 



Perchance they may do so, but, oh ! we shall 

 love ye none the less ; none the less shall we 

 strive to express the feelings of gratitude, and 

 associations of pleasure, wherewith ye are so 

 intimately blended, exclaiming : 



" ! if earth's ruined wilderness afford 



So many flowers, breathing of love divine, 

 How gloriously that promised land must shine 

 That waits the followers of earth's mighty Lord!" 



MRA. RICHARDSON. 



Fair spirits are ye ministering angels ! 

 A writer, who has drunk deeply from the 

 well of inspiration, says : 



