94 THE SNOWDROP. 



where it was never planted by the hand of man, or 

 strayed from any neighbouring cultivation. Yet in 

 most places where we find this flower, it is of mani- 

 fest or suspicious origin ; and with us it partakes of 

 this latter character, though no remains of any 

 ancient dwelling are observable near it. The 

 damask rose, the daffodil, or the stock of an old 

 bullace plum, will long remain, and point out 

 where once a cottage existed ; but all these, and 

 most other tokens, in time waste away and decay ; 

 while the snowdrop will remain, increase, and be- 

 come the only memorial of man and his labours. 

 Many flowers present strong distinctive characters, 

 or will, at least, often do, excite in us variable feel- 

 ings : the primrose, and the daisy, if not intrinsically 

 gay, call forth cheerful and pleasing sensations ; 

 and the aspect or glance of some others will awaken 

 different affections. The snowdrop is a melancholy 

 flower. The season in which the " fair maids of 

 February" come out, is the most dreary and deso- 

 late of our year : they peep through the snow that 

 often surrounds them, shivering and cheerless: 

 they convey no idea of reviving nature, and are 

 scarcely the harbingers of milder days, but rather 

 the emblem of sleety storms, and icy gales, (snow- 

 drop weather,) and wrap their petals round the 

 infant germ, fearing to admit the very air that 

 blows ; and, when found beyond the verge of cul- 

 tivation, they most generally remind us of some 



