10 FLOWER-GARDENING. 



" So the dawn of human life 



Doth green and verdant spring ; 

 It doth little ween the strife 

 Like the Snow-drop it is fair, 



And like the Primrose sweet, 

 But its innocence can't scare 



The blight from its retreat." 



The pious Hervey, in his Meditations on the Flower-Garden, 

 has furnished us many sublime ideas respecting the order, 

 variety, and beauty of the flower tribe. It is in vain to 

 attempt a catalogue of those amiable gifts. There is an end- 

 less multiplicity of their characters, yet an invariable order in 

 their approaches. Every month, almost every week, has its 

 peculiar ornaments ; not servilely copying the works of its 

 predecessors, but forming, still forming, and still executing, 

 some new design ; so lavish is the fancy, yet so exact is the 

 process of Nature. Were all the flower tribe to exhibit them- 

 selves at one particular season, there would be at once a pro- 

 miscuous throng, and at once a total privation. 



We should scarcely have an opportunity of adverting to the 

 dainty qualities of half, and must soon lose the agreeable com- 

 pany of them all. But now, since every species has a separate 

 post to occupy, and a distinct interval for appearing, we can 

 take a leisurely and minute survey of each succeeding set. 

 We can view and review their forms, enter into a more intimate 

 acquaintance with their charming accomplishments, and receive 

 all those pleasing sensations which they are calculated to yield. 



Before the trees have ventured to unfold their leaves, and 

 while the icicles are pendent on our houses, the Snow-drop 

 breaks her way through the frozen soil, fearless of danger. Next 

 peeps out the Crocus, but cautiously and with an air of 

 timidity. She shuns the howling blasts, and cleaves closely to 

 her humble situation. Nor is the Violet last in the shining 

 embassy which, with all the embellishments that would grace a 

 royal garden, condescends to line our borders, and bloom at the 

 feet of briers. Freely she distributes the bounty of her emis- 



