GATHERED FLOWERS. 



For the greater part of the year the Wall-flower displays its 

 orange, yellow, and red pyramidal bloom, which scatters con- 

 tinually a most agreeable fragrance, and these render the 

 flower acceptable to all. It gives a charm to the garden of 

 the noble, and the flower-pot of the lowliest who cherish it 

 with the fondest care. It claims of right, which no one can 

 dispute, to be the emblem of Lasting Beauty. 



GATHERED FLOWERS.— We die together. 



It is well known how soon a mass of flowers, or fruit, or 

 vegetableSj decomposes the air, and renders it unfit for 

 respiration, producing sickness and death. 



This fact has suggested to a German writer, Freiligrath, a 

 touching sketch, which he calls, "The Revenge of the 

 Flowers." 



" Returning from a botanical excursion, two young girls 

 enter their home, close the windows, lie down and fall asleep. 

 At their feet, in a basket, is seen the flowers which they 

 have collected. How indiscreet ! where is their mother } who 

 will warn them of the danger which surrounds them } Already 

 the air is being decomposed, the atmosphere of the small 

 apartment is heavy and unfit to breathe, and the youthful 

 maidens weighed down by it writhe about unconsciously on 

 their couch. Suddenly, from amid the basket of flowers, rise 

 up the spirits of the narcissus and the tuberose ! They 

 appear as two light nymphs dancing and whirling about, 

 meanwhile chanting ominous words : ' Young maidens ! young 

 maidens ! why have you deprived us of life 1 Nature gives 



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