ivy. 329 



to climb would be overpowered, and the vine 

 would perish in the continual shade of the 

 ivy ; therefore, the one has been wisely or- 

 dained to flourish in the sun, and the other 

 to grace the shade. Man cannot, therefore, 

 bring together with advantage what has been 

 separated by the Creator in infinite wisdom. 



Plants are often extolled or condemned, as 

 they are brought forward by celebrity or kept 

 back by caprice. We introduce varieties 

 whose virtues are undiscovered ; and suffer 

 others to languish uncultivated on the bosom 

 of the desert, whose beauties or qualities 

 have not been sanctioned by the hand of 

 fashion. 



The fate of man is similar. An accidental 

 circumstance often sets mediocrity of talent 

 upon a tottering pinnacle ; whilst superior 

 ability decays unseen and unknown in a 

 neglected shade, or a single accident of 

 fortune keeps him from the society he was 

 ordained to ornament. Like the ivy, he can 

 exist when he has fallen ; but, like this plant, 

 he produces neither flowers nor fruit, unless 

 supported to a height above the level of 

 lowly herbs. 



Of the virtues of ivy little is known. Some 

 pretend that it prevents intoxication ; and 

 hence it entwined the brow of Bacchus to 



