164 FOEEST CULTUBE AND 



such labors, every solid basis for applying the knowl- 

 edge of plants to uses of any kind would be wanting. 

 We would stray, indeed, unguided in a labyrinth 

 between crude masses or inordinate fragments, instead 

 of dwelling in a grand and lasting structure of knowl- 

 edge, unless science also in this direction had raised 

 its imperishable temples. But how much patient and 

 toilsome research had to be spent thus to bring togeth- 

 er in a systematic arrangement all the products of 

 this wide globe ; how many dangers of exploring 

 travelers had to be braved to amplify the material for 

 this knowledge, and how many have to pass away, 

 even now-a-days, persecuted and worried like Galileo 

 at his time, no one yet has told, nor will tell. Well 

 may we feel with the great German poet, as expressed 

 in Bulwer Lytton's beautiful wording : 



" I will reward thee in a holier land,' 

 Do give to me tliy youth ! 

 All I can grant you lies in this command — 

 I heard, and trusting in a holler laud. 

 Gave my young joys to truth." 



But is there nothing higher than the search of 

 earthly riches, and is to this all knowledge of the 

 earth's beautiful vegetation also to be rendered sub- 

 servient ? Is there nothing loftier than to break the 

 flowers for our gayeties or to strew them along a 

 mirthful path ? There is ! They raised the noblest 

 feelings of the poet at all ages ; they spoke the purest 

 words of attachment ; they ever were the silent har- 

 bingers of love. They smilingly inspired hope anew 

 in unmeasured sadness, and on the death-bed or at 

 the grave they appear to link together, as symbols of 

 ever - returning springs, the mortal world with im- 

 mortality ; they ever teach us some of the sublimest 

 revelations of our eternal God. 



