JANUARY. 23 



lover of all bright hues and graceful forms, of 

 all delicate and spicy aromas, of curious pro- 

 cesses and wonderful phenomena, of all that is 

 soothing to the mind, and pleasant to the vision 

 and the taste, there walks in a fairy-land of his 

 own creation. There the sun shines tempered 

 by the coolness of whispering branches ; the 

 breeze blows softly, charged with fragrance, 

 the dews fall to refresh and awaken sleeping 

 odours, and birds bring from their wilder haunts 

 their melodies. To the fair creature, who, like 

 Eve, is a lover of flowers, what a perpetual 

 source of affectionate interest, of hopes, and 

 fears, and speculations, of delightful labours, 

 cares, and watchings, is found in a garden ! 

 Poets have always delighted to describe their 

 favourite heroines amid the amenities of gar- 

 dens, as places peculiarly accordant with the 

 grace and gentle nature of woman. How beau- 

 tiful is that passing view which Chaucer gives 

 us of Emilia, in Palemon and Arcite ! 



Emily ere day 

 Arose and dress'd herself in rich arrav ; 

 Fresh as the month, and as the morning fair, 

 Adown her ihoulders fell her length of hair ; 

 A riband did the braided tresses bind, 

 The rest was loose and wantoned in the wind. 

 Aurora had but newly chased the night, 

 And purpled o'er the sky with blushing light, 



