THE MATRIMONIAL GARDEN. 145 



not find them afterwards. Near these walks is to be found 

 that modest plant, called humility: 



It is the Violet, " born to blush unseen, 

 And waste its sweetness on the desert air." 



It appears of little worth in itself, but when joined with 

 other virtues, it adds a charm to life, and spreads a fragrance 

 around its wearer. Cultivate, then, with all your care, this 

 sweet little plant, and you will find it prevent the growth of 

 all poisonous and noxious weeds. 



Allow me also to drop a hint on the subject of cultiva- 

 tion, as connected with propagation, as that most probably 

 will be your employment in this garden, sooner or later. 

 Should you have the rearing of a young plant, remember 

 that it is frail in its nature, and liable to be destroyed by 

 every blast, and will demand all your care and attention. 

 Should you witness a blast on its dawning beauties, 

 Oh ! how your fond heart will bleed with tenderness, affec- 

 tion, and sympathy ! The young shoot will naturally twine 

 around all the fibres of your frame. Should it live and 

 thrive, spare no pains to " train it up in the way it should 

 go." Weed it, water it, prune it ; it will need all the cul- 

 tivator's skill. Without this, many weeds and baneful 

 plants will grow up with it, and blast your fondest hopes. 

 Be ever mindful that this is a trust for which both parties 

 are accountable. 



Without careful cultivation, what can you expect but the 

 most luxuriant growth of unruly appetites, which, in time, 

 will break forth in all manner of disgraceful irregularities 1 

 What, but that anger, like a prickly thorn, will arm the 

 temper with an untractable moroseness ? That peevish- 

 ness, like a stinging nettle, will render the conversation 

 irksome and forbidding'? That avarice, like some choking 

 weed, will teach the fingers to gripe, o:«d the hands to op- 

 press? That revenge, like some poisonous plant, replete 

 with baneful juices, will rankle in the breast, and meditate 



13 



