by the Crusaders from Damascus became the 



, n r TT , i u -, . , A IN THE GARDEN 



national tlower or hngland, where it has had 



its most congenial home and developed its 

 highest perfection. 



The annals of the rose tell no finer story than 

 that of the mating of the "Sweet Brier," 

 sweetest of all wild flowers, with a descendant 

 of the "Damascus" brought to England in the 

 Crusades. That marriage was brought about 

 by Lord Penzance, and to it we owe the beauti- 

 ful scented roses known as "Penzance Briers." 



How close to us the flowers come ! How hu- 

 man and near to the affections they seem! 

 Linger by the old favorites in the old home 

 garden. What beautiful associations they re- 

 call, what tender memories cluster about them! 

 The Aster, classic flower sung by Virgil; the 

 Columbine, itself like a cluster of doves; 

 Canterbury Bells, recalling the pilgrims to the 

 ancient shrine; Iris, Ruskin's flower of chiv- 

 alry, "with a sword for its leaf and a lily for 

 its heart"; the Paeony, flower of distinct an- 

 tiquity, cultivated since the days of Pliny, 

 [63] 



