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pect, what is indeed every day becoming more evident, that the 

 presence of flowers, Hke the ministiy of our Lord, Himself the 

 "consummate flower of hTimanity," are suited to every occasion. 

 Like Him, but in a more humble way, they find a welcome almost 

 everywhere, and leave a blessing behind. Like Him, they are 

 equally at home in festive halls or public assemblies. They cheer 

 the sick room. They grace the wedding hour. They droop over 

 the lifeless forms of our departed. They find a welcome in the 

 churches, and our prayers and thanksgivings rise none the less 

 readily for being borne aloft by the incense they continually offer it 

 Mrs. Hemans has finely described this ministry of flowers in the 

 well-known lines entitled "Bring Flowers." And it is worthy of 

 note in this connection, though it may not be quite germain to the 

 subject, that as she kindles with her theme she almost speaks in 

 proj>hecy. Witness the two last stanzas : 



Bring flowers, pale flowers, o'er the bier to shed 

 A crown for the brow of the early dead. 

 For this, through its leaves, hath the white rose burst ; 

 For this, in the wood, was the violets nursed. 

 Though they smile in vain for what once was ours, 

 They are love's last gift, — bring flowers, bring flowers. 

 Bring flowers to the shrine when we kneel in prayer, — 

 They are Nature's offering, — their place is there. 

 They speak of hope to the fainting heart, 

 With a voice of promise they come and part. 

 They sleep in the dust-through the wintry hours, — 

 They break forth in glory, — bring flowers, bring flowers. 



What can be more expressive or true to nature, and yet when 

 these lines were written, flowers, among us, at least, were an un- 

 heard-of thing at funerals, and many good people doubted whether 

 it was not something akin to sacrilege to permit a vase of them to 

 be brought within church walls of a Sunday. Now, how often are 

 thev sought for as love's last offering to the dead, and her first in 

 honor of Him and His day, who " brought immortality to light." 

 But we linger too long over our theme. It has been lovingly, 

 and in the hope to say some word that may kindle in other hearts 

 the admiration we feel for the world of flowers. Let a few words 

 in regard to the exhibition under review, put an end to our loqua- 

 ciousness. 



A verv considerable part of this was made up of plants sent in 



