OLD-FASHIONED FLOWERS 

 the stars. One felt that, solidly planted between two clear 

 ditches that lost themselves in the distance of the immense 

 pasturage dotted with motionless cows, the house took an in- 

 telligent pleasure in this gentle daily fairy-play, while, by the 

 roadside, a proud mill, bending forward like a preacher, made 

 familiar signs with its paternal sails to the passers-by from the 

 village. 



6 



Has this earth of ours a fairer ornament of its hours of 

 leisure than the care of flowers? It was beautiful to see thus 

 collected for the pleasure of the eyes, around the dwelling of 

 my placid friend, the splendid throng that distils the light to 

 extract from it marvellous colours, honey and perfumes. He 

 found there translated into visible and positive joys, at the 

 gates of his house, the scattered, fleeting and almost intangible 

 delights of Summer: the voluptuous air, the balmy nights, the 

 shimmering sunbeams, the glad hours, the confidences of the 

 dawn, the whispering intentness of the azure space. He en- 

 joyed not only their dazzling presence; he also hoped — proba- 

 bly unwisely, so deep and vague is that mystery — he also 

 hoped, by dint of questioning them, to surprise, with their aid, 

 I know not what secret law or idea of nature, I know not what 



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