52 FAMILIAR GARL-EN FLOWERS. 



thorn shows the faintest glimmer of greenness. Therefore 

 if there is a sheltered nook near the house in which a thorn 

 may be planted with propriety, then the Glastonbury thorn 

 is the very tree for that nook, because it will make a 

 cheerful object in the view from the windows in those 

 early spring- days when new leaves and flowers are eagerly 

 looked for as spiritual food to revive us from the depressions 

 01 the winter. The true story of the Glastonbury thorn, 

 as told in the Gardener's Magazine for Dec. 21st, 1878, is 

 much more wonderful than the legendary nonsense that is 

 retailed in guide-books, and makes it appear that the tree 

 came originally from the East, and established itself at 

 Glastonbury in a natural way and without the help of 

 any miracle. 



" Gives not the hawthorn bush a sweeter shade 

 To shepherds looking on their silly sheep, 

 Than doth a rich emhroider'd canopy 

 To kings, that fear their subjects' treachery P" 



