A PEEP AT THE PARIS FLOWER MARKET. 481 



man, who had risen long before the hours of labour, In 

 order that he might present to the sharer of his toils a 

 fresh and sweet token of his affection and esteem, was 

 bearing homeward a less costly offering in the shape of a 

 stock or a pot of musk. How refining and moralising 

 must be the influence of this love of flowers ! I wish it 

 were more general among labourers in our own land ! 



But I was aroused from reflection by my arrival at 

 the market, which indeed presented a busy scene. It is 

 a large paved square, planted with rows of acacia trees, 

 whose soft and elegant foliage, trembling in the breeze, 

 harmonised with the animated scene they overshadowed. 

 In the centre of this square was the bureau, where I 

 imagined the market-keeper dwelt, with the view of 

 preserving order and taking toll. Near each end was a 

 fountain, surrounded with a basin of water, apparently 

 constructed for use as well as ornament. Around these 

 and the bureau were lounging men in blouses, with large 

 baskets, flat at one side to fit the back, lying at their feet 

 waiting to carry off purchases. There was a walk in the 

 centre of the square, and the plants were arranged on 

 either side to face the walk. The stalls, which were 

 principally kept by women, who were enjoying their 

 morning's repast of bread and fruit, were set out with 

 order and neatness. There were Oranges, Oleanders, 

 Magnolias, Pomegranates, Roses, Myrtles, Carnations, 

 Balsams, Cockscombs, Tuberoses, Fuchsias, Verbenas, 

 Amaranths, Mignonette, Marigolds, Asters, and indeed 

 almost every plant of the season, mingled together in 

 sweet and inextricable confusion. The plants certainly 

 were not large ; they were rather close and compact, laden 

 with blossoms, whose odours arose on every air we 

 breathed. Then the vast quantity of a sort, each 

 seemingly a counterpart of the rest, so nicely surrounded 

 with white paper, and placed so closely together that the 

 whole reminded one of a large flower garden. 



I could not look on such a variety of beautiful objects 



2E 



