FLOWER-GARDENING. 13 



raise themselves on their fine wands or stately stalks. They 

 flush the parterre with one of the gayest dresses that bloom- 

 ing Nature wears. Here one may behold the innocent wan- 

 tonness of beauty. Here she indulges a thousand freaks, and 

 sports herself in the most charming diversity of colors. In a 

 grove of Tulips or a bed of Pinks, one perceives a difference in 

 almost every individual. Scarcely any two are turned and 

 tinted exactly alike. What colors, what colors are here ! these 

 so nobly bold, and those so delicately languid ! 



What a glow is enkindled in some ! what a gloss shines 

 upon others ! With what a masterly skill is every one of the 

 varying tints disposed ! Here they seem to be thrown on with 

 an easy dash of security and freedom ; there they are adjusted 

 by the nicest touches of art and accuracy. Those colors 

 which form the ground are always so judiciously chosen as 

 to heighten the lustre of the superadded figures ; while the 

 verdure of the impalement, or shadings of the foliage, im- 

 part new liveliness to the whole. Fine, inimitably fine, is 

 the texture of the web on which these shining treasures are 

 displayed. What are the labors of the Persian looms ; what 

 all the gay attire which the shuttle or the needle can furnish, 

 compared with Nature's works ? One cannot forbear reflec- 

 tion in this place on the too-prevailing humor of being fond 

 and ostentatious of dress. What an abject and mistaken am- 

 bition is this ! How unworthy the dignity of man, and the 

 wisdom of rational beings ! Especially since these little pro- 

 ductions of the earth have indisputably the preeminence in such 

 outward embellishments. 



" Bright TULIPS, we do know, 



Ye had your coming hither, 

 And fading time doth show, 

 That ye must quickly wither. 



" Tour sisterhood may stay, 



And smile here for an hour, 



But ye must quickly die away, 



E'en as the meanest flower. 



