330 Strawberry. 



piling a general history of nature, in imitation of the ancients, 

 and of some moderns. A strawberry plant, which chanced 

 to grow by his window, dissuaded him from this design. On 

 minutely observing it, he discovered so much to learn and to 

 admire, that he felt convinced that the study of a single plant, 

 with its habits, would suffice to employ the lives of many 

 learned men. He therefore abandoned his design and the 

 ambitious title he had selected, and gave to his book the 

 simple title, " Studies from Nature." In this book, which is 

 worthy of Pliny or of Plato, we find the best history of the 

 Strawberry. This humble plant delights to grow in our woods, 

 and to cover their borders with delicious fruit, which is the 

 property of any one who chooses to gather it. It is a charm- 

 ing gift, that Nature has withdrawn from the operation of those 

 laws which render property exclusive : — this she is pleased to 

 bestow on all her children. 



The flowers form pretty boquets ; but what barbarous hands 

 would wish to gather them, and so destroy the promised fruit. 

 Let us hear Wordsworth's plea for the Strawberry Blossom. 



That is a work of waste and ruin ! 

 Do as Charles and I are doing ! 

 Strawberry blossoms, one and all, 

 We must spare them, — here are many — 

 Look at it, — the flower is small, 

 Small and low, though fair as any ; 

 Do not touch it ; — summers two 

 I am older, Anne, than you. 



Pull the primrose, sister Anne, 



Pull as many as you can. 



Here are daisies, take your fill ; 



Pansies, and the cuckoo-flower ; 



Of the lofty daffodil 



Make your bed and make your bower ; 



Fill your lap and fill your bosom ; 



Only spare the strawberry blossom. 



Primroses, the spring may love them;— 

 Summer knows but little of them. 

 Violets, a barren kind, 

 Withered on the ground must lie; 

 Daisies leave no fruit behind. 

 When the pretty flow'rets die ; 

 Pluck them, and another year, 

 As many will be growing here. 



