THE CHRISTIAN NATURALIST. 75 



indeed, that the productions of the fields and hedges 

 are undeserving of our regard, for in Devonshire and 

 Cornwall, at least, there is no lack of those sweet and 

 lovely wild flowers which may form a rich and even 

 splendid nosegay. Still, however, art wisely displays 

 its taste in selecting some of the choicest of these, and 

 also intermingling them with the more curious and 

 brilliant productions of other lands. We have always 

 regarded the pleasure that is taken in cultivating a 

 Flower Garden, as more like that enjoyed by the first 

 man in Paradise, than any other kind of earthly plea- 

 sure ; and hence we have always been accustomed to 

 consider the pains that are taken in the collection and 

 nurture of a variety of choice flowers, as well bestowed : 

 and afibrding a better omen of industry, cheerfulness, 

 and a degree of comfort unknown in former times, 

 than any other outward circumstances. The neat cot- 

 tage garden, of which we see so many examples in 

 Cornwall, gay and smiling, as it looks at this season, 

 with some of the most splendid productions of the 

 East — the Tulip, the Anemone, and the Ranunculus — 

 is a sight most gratifying to the mind as well as to the 

 eye, for it tells of peace, and security, and of those 

 blessings with which Providence has so richly crowned 



