28 HORTICULTURE. 



What would the lovers do ? What tender confessions, hitherto 

 uttered by fair half-open buds and bouquets, more eloquent of pas- 

 sion than the Nouvelle Heloise, would have to be stammered forth 

 in miserable clumsy words ! How many doubtful suits would be 

 lost how many bashful hearts would never venture how many 

 rash and reckless adventurers would be shipwrecked, if the tender 

 and expressive language of the rose were all suddenly lost and 

 blotted out ! What could we place in the hands of childhood to 

 mirror back its innocent expression so truly? What blossoms 

 could bloom on the breast of the youthful beauty so typical of the 

 infinity of hope and sweet thoughts, that lie folded up in her own heart, 

 as. fair young rose-buds ? What wreath could so lovingly encircle 

 the head of the fair young bride as that of white roses, full of purity 

 and grace ? And, last of all, what blossom, so expressive of human 

 affections, could we find at the bier to take the place of the rose ; 

 the rose, sacred to this purpose for so many ages, and with so many 

 nations, 



" because its breath 



Is rich beyond the rest ; and when it dies 

 It doth bequeath a charm to sweeten death." 



BARRY CORNWALL. 



The rose is not only infinite in its forms, hues, types, and asso- 

 ciations, but it deserves an infinite number of admirers. This is the 

 explanation of our desire to be eloquent in its behalf. There arc, 

 unfortunately, some persons who, however lovely, beautiful, or per- 

 fect a thing may be in itself, will never raise their eyes to look 

 at it, or open their hearts to admire it, unless it is incessantly talked 

 about. 



We have always observed, however, that the great difficulty 

 with those who like to talk about fruits and flowers is, when once 

 talking, to stop. There is no doubt whatever, that we might go on, 

 therefore, and fill this whole number with roses, rosariums, rosaries, 

 and rose-water, but that some of our western readers, who are look- 

 ing for us to give them a cure for the pear-blight, might cry out 

 " a blight on your roses ! " We must, therefore, grow more systematic 

 and considerate in our remarks. 



