74 SCULPTURAL DECORATIONS. 



sils; the rewards of merit, the wreath of the victor, 

 were arboraceous; in later periods, the acanthus, 

 the ivy, the lotus, the vine, the palm, and the oak, 

 flourished under the chisel, or in the loom of the 

 artist ; and in modern days, the vegetable world 

 affords the almost exclusive decorations of ingenuity 

 and art. The cultivation of flowers is of all the 

 amusements of mankind the one to be selected and 

 approved as the most innocent in itself, and most 

 perfectly devoid of injury or annoyance to others; 

 the employment is not only conducive to health 

 and peace of mind, but probably more good-will 

 has arisen, and friendships been founded by the in- 

 tercourse and communication connected with this 

 pursuit than from any other whatsoever : the plea- 

 sures, the ecstacies of the horticulturist are harm- 

 less and pure ; a streak, a tint, a shade, becomes his 

 triumph, which though often obtained by chance, 

 are secured alone by morning care, by evening cau- 

 tion, and the vigilance of days : an employ which, 

 in its various grades, excludes neither the opulent 

 nor the indigent, and teeming with boundless va- 

 riety, affords an unceasing excitement to emulation 

 without contention or ill-will. 



The bouquet may be an exile now ; but the re- 

 volutions of fashion will surely return this beautiful 

 ornament to favour again. With us the nosegay 

 yet retains its station as a decoration to our Sunday 

 beaux ; but at our spring clubs and associations it 

 becomes an essential, indispensable appointment ; a 



