THE PALMS OF AMERICA. 1C9 



attraction to all the land, the transept of the 

 Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, Avliere hundreds 

 of thousands, doubtless, for the first time beheld 

 thoni in their living majesty. While to the 

 dwellers in our land they have spoken of foreign 

 countries, and strange scenes, and a burning sun, 

 to how many of the visitors to that wonderful 

 scene of the world's industry have they seemed 

 as well-known and ^miliar faces, speaking of 

 home in a land of strangers ! With a similar refer- 

 ence, Mrs. Ilemans has most beautifully described 

 a palm tree growing in an English garden : — 



" It waved not in an eastern sky, 

 Ueside a fount of Araby : 

 It was not fanned by southern breeze, 

 In some green isle of Indian seas : 

 Nor did its graceful shadow sleep, 

 O'er stream of Afric, lone and deep. 



" But far the exiled palm tree grew, 

 'Midst foliage of no kindred hue: 

 Through the laburnum's dropping gold 

 Rose t'lie light shaft of orient mould; 

 And Europe's violets, faintly sweet. 

 Purpled the moss-beds at its feet. 



" Strange looked it tliere! the willow stream'd 

 Where silvery waters near it gleam'd. 

 The lime bough lured the honey bee 

 To murmur by the desert's tree : 

 And showers of snowy roses made 

 A lustre in its fan-like shade. 



" There came an eve of festal hours, 

 Kich music fdled that prarden's bowers; 

 Lamps that from glittering branches hung', 

 On sparks of dew soft colours flun j, 



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